The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Dispensational Premillennialism
As I write this, I am feeling a bit feisty. The other day I was reading an article and the author noted the second law of thermodynamics: All things tend toward chaos.
And I wondered if it could be argued that the dispensational premillennial approach tend toward chaos. And I concluded, yes. I can find very little good to say about the position that has infected the way millions read the Bible as a whole and not just Revelation or Daniel in particular. Of course, I defend the dispensationalists’ right to adhere to their view but of the approaches taken toward Revelation 20 specifically and Scripture as a whole it has the least support both historically and exegetically. It is a departure from the historic faith and is based on a faulty system of interpretation. Please remember that there has been a historic premillennial interpretation for eighteen centuries before dispensationalism was formulated by such men as J.N. Darby and C.I. Scofield. The writings by these two as well as C.C. Ryrie, J. Walvoord, H. Lindsey, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Tim LaHaye, Jack Van Impe, to name just a few, have proven that the approach is bankrupt. (Take a look at the closeout sections in a Barnes and Noble store or in a Borders. Or view the closeout bin in a recent Christian Book Distributors catalog. What will you find? Prophecy books that were outdated either shortly after they were published. How many editions do we need to have of Walvoord’s Oil, Armageddon and the Middle East? A true discerner of prophecy would have only one edition! :)
Chaos has resulted because of the contributions by these interpreters. It is a chaos that has led to the demeaning of the glorious doctrine of the final return of Christ. Christians are fearful of Revelation and the topic of Christ’s return in general. So it is not preached, taught, or obeyed. Non-Christians ridicule the faith. Goodness, if the above have consistently been wrong about the final coming of Jesus, maybe they are wrong in how they have assessed the first coming of Jesus.
Do you remember that many of the above argued that the ten national European Common Market was a fulfillment of Rev. 17 (specifically the reference to the ten kings)? Ooops. They got it wrong. Do you remember that Christ would return within a generation after the establishment of the state of Israel, 1988 was the precise date? Ooops. They got it wrong. Do you remember that Saddam Hussein was the antichrist? Ooops. They got it wrong. Do you remember the meltdown that was to occur because of the Y2K problem? Ooops. They got it wrong. Do you remember the two editions of 88 (or 89) Reasons why the rapture must take place in 1988 (or 1989)? Ooops. They got it wrong. About two years ago, do you remember when the tension between Israel and another country in the area was incredibly high and Pat Robertson was standing there outside Jerusalem waiting for the bombs to fall and for the Lord to rapture the church and usher in the seven year tribulation? Ooops. He got it wrong. As has Darby, Scofield, Ryrie, Lindsey, Falwell, LaHaye, and Van Impe. Some of the most anti-biblical and un-biblical sermons heard or books read have been those who quote the most Scripture. Why? Because their hermeneutic was screwed up!
What an embarrassment! How non-Christians and even those who are anti-Christian must laugh at such pitiful interpretations. One of the problems we have is that there is no one to hold the above interpreters accountable for their errors. Unless it is an embargo against buying their books and CDs and refusing to view their television programs or listen to them on the radio. I am a bit suspicious of many tele-evangelists, but especially those whose sole reason for existence is their approach to the subject of prophecy. Of course, they could not admit when they are wrong or give up the system because they would lose the job/ministry. How would they support themselves?
Do you want to read more? If so, take a look at the following:
- C.B. Bass, Backgrounds to Dispensationalism (Baker)
- H. Hanegraaff, The Apocalypse Code (Thomas Nelson)
- J. Kirsch, A History of the End of the World: How the Most Controversial Book of the Bible Changed the Course of Western Civilization (Harper)
- T.P. Weber, On the Road to Armageddon: How Evangelicals Became Israel’s Best Friend (Baker)
- D. Wilson, Armageddon Now! (Baker)
- B. Witherington III, The Problem with Evangelical Theology: Testing the Exegetical Foundations of Calvinism, Dispensationalism, and Wesleyanism (pp. 93-168; Baker)
Related posts on this site:
Why I Am an Amillennialist: Additional Reflections
The Dangers of Theological Systems Illustrated
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