The Deviation of Dispensationalism

The predominance and popularity of Dispensational theology is something that I am very aware of, but always surprised at.   Dr. John Gerstner describes the error of this philosophy in a very helpful way:

Dispensationalists see God as pursuing two distinct purposes throughout history, one related to an earthly goal and an earthly people (the Jews), the other to heavenly goals and a heavenly people (the church).Dispensationalists believe that in the Old Testament God promised the Jewish people an earthly kingdom ruled by Messiah ben David, and that when Christ came He offered this prophesied kingdom to the Jews. When the Jews of the time rejected Christ and the earthly kingdom, the promise was postponed, and the "mystery form" of the kingdom - the church - was established.

The church, according to dispensational doctrine, was unforeseen in the Old Testament and constitutes a "parenthesis" in God's plan for Israel. In the future, the distinction between Jew and Gentile will be re-established and will continue throughout all eternity.

What if a Jewish Apostle on trial before a Roman king testified in his hearing that the basic premise of dispensationalism was wrong?  What if the transcript of that trial made it into the inspired New Testament?   Paul states, “And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!” (Acts 26:6–7, ESV).

The Faith Study Bible makes a clarifying comment on Paul's answer to King Agrippa. 

In claiming this, the apostle establishes that he is no threat to the Jewish people. He proclaims that all the promises made to the Jewish people have come true. By preaching their hope in God’s covenantal promises, Paul supports the Jewish nation and affirms their place in God’s plan. The gospel is not antithetical to OT revelation but is the fulfillment of it.

When God Whistles

When I mention the Biblical doctrine of unconditional election it sparks an angry passion in many people.  How a Christian can respond negatively to such a profound truth is beyond me.  That emotional response is only seconded by another so-called 'Calvinstic' doctrine, namely irresistible grace.  Well meaning Christians can read such events as found in Matthew 9:9 (ESV):

⁹ As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

and not blink!  Imagine the scene: Matthew sitting.  Jesus walking by.  Jesus says follow me.  Matthew follows.  Call it what you want but that invitation of Jesus was really a command and it was irresistible.   Matthew could no longer resist that command than the sun could refuse to shine, or Lazarus could refuse to come out of the tomb.

Jesus Himself said, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:37–38, ESV).

Is this some bizarre, obscure teaching?  Absolutely not!  Even wicked nations cannot resist the effectual call of Almighty God. Listen to the prophet Isaiah:

“He will raise a signal for nations far away, and whistle for them from the ends of the earth; and behold, quickly, speedily they come! None is weary, none stumbles, none slumbers or sleeps, not a waistband is loose, not a sandal strap broken; their arrows are sharp, all their bows bent, their horses’ hoofs seem like flint, and their wheels like the whirlwind. Their roaring is like a lion, like young lions they roar; they growl and seize their prey; they carry it off, and none can rescue. They will growl over it on that day, like the growling of the sea. And if one looks to the land, behold, darkness and distress; and the light is darkened by its clouds.” (Isaiah 5:26–30, ESV).

When God whistles, you will come.

 

  

 

 

Grace Rules

Let's look at a verse together.  Notice Romans 5:17 (ESV):

¹⁷ For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Adam was the representative or federal head of the human race.  When he sinned he lost his position to be God's ruler over creation. Consequently sin and death ruled.  Adam is the representative of a culture destined to die.  We are all born into that relationship.   Christ came, in one sense, to become the new and last Adam.  He represents a new society that one must be "born-again" into.

For those who surrender their lives to Jesus Christ they become recipients of much grace. They receive a gift of righteousness.  They are considered right before Almighty God.  Paul then notes that in this new relationship they are destined to "reign in life through ... Jesus."

The New Living Translation helps us understand what that means.  This translation reads, ". . . for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17, NLT).   Paul picks up this theme in the next chapter where we read: “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14, ESV).

 

God's grace doesn't turn a blind eye to sin, nor does it dismiss its implications.  God's grace is the enabling power to rule over sin -- in the now and the today.  We "reign in this life."  For a Christian to say that because of God's grace, he or she can sin even more is a serious misunderstanding of grace.  In Paul's view, Grace rules -- rules over sin.  “so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” (Romans 5:21–6:1, ESV). 

 

Of course the answer to Paul's question is a resounding "No!" 

 

 

  








   

  

Then Final Chapter Is Not Read Yet!

As you read through the stories in Acts you encounter an amazing work of God in the life of a man called Stephen. “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8, ESV).  Stephen became the first martyr.  At his execution, Luke the historian writes these poignant words:

“And Saul approved of his execution . . ..” (Acts 8:1a, ESV).

Why would the inspired writer insert this comment here? This is not just a moot statement.  This Saul would be converted and become Paul.  He would be transformed and be used of God to transform multitudes.  To those observing Saul that day they would never had imagined what God had in mind for this zealot.  Circumstances may look hopeless. But God may have plans that will absolutely amaze you.

Whether that hopelessness is an unsaved friend, a prodigal child, or an antagonistic spouse, God has not revealed the last chapter yet.

 

A Different Take on Spiritual Warfare

Look at the following two verses.  How do they compare?  How do they contrast with each other?

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11, ESV)

 

AND

 

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:14, ESV)

 

The armor of God is a metaphor of Christ.  To do battle in the Christian life is to "put on" Christ.  It is to live showing the character of Christ on the outside.    If these two verses are parallel thoughts then the schemes, the strategy of Satan is revealed in our fleshly desires that lead to sin.

 

Every Christian is in a spiritual battle and the primary battleground is our desires that are ungodly. Living in the power of Christ trusting His graces is the only hope of standing.

 

 

Surprise!

The Bible ought to surprise us from time to time.  If God's thoughts and ways are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) then we is should come as no surprise that we are surprised!   Take for example Acts 4:28.  While the disciples were praying after the release of Peter and John and acknowledging the crucifixion of Christ they acknowledged that what took place actually had “to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.”


Now you don't have to be a Calvinist to give assent to the truth that the atonement was part of God's plan from the beginning (Genesis 3:15).  You might need some encouragement to see that it was, however, not according to God's perfect omniscience, but in fact, as the Greek bears witness, something He actually ordained.  The word used here is προορίζω [pro·or·id·zo] which means "appoint beforehand. So this isn't God "rubber-stamping" man's will.  This is God ordaining what He wanted to occur.
   
But that's not the surprise ....

The disciples also prayed that "God's hand" also did it!   The Greek New Testament (ποιῆσαι ὅσα ἡ χείρ σου καὶ ἡ βουλὴ προώρισεν γενέσθαι) reads that these wicked men did what God's hand did.  Peter had called these men to repent (see 2:38; 3:19) therefore God was holding them morally culpable for their crime.

Now the human mind would love to reconcile these seemingly contradictory statements. You cannot. These wicked men did what God did and He held them accountable.   That ought to surprise you.  Surprise you enough to worship in awe of the majesty and glory of almighty God. 

Warning:  If you try to rationalize this you will fall headlong into heresy.  Be surprised!