Dispensational by Default
No, I have not been re-converted to dispensational premillennialism! But the more I teach in a variety of settings, the move convinced I am that many people in America and elsewhere are dispensational by default. They do not know of any other position to take. They assume it is the orthodox position for one reason or a combination of reasons: (a) Their preacher or professor taught the scheme; (b) Their study Bible was so oriented; (c) Their readings—novels, systematic theologies, commentaries—reflected such an approach; (d) Or their favorite television or radio expositors taught the approach. Of course, there may be other reasons.
In teaching New Testament Eschatology on a master’s/graduate level both in the States and in Eastern Europe, students tell me that when they hear my approach they are stunned that there is another way of reading numerous texts and that although they had inherited the dispensational perspective they really did not know why they held the position and they did not know how to respond to other approaches. Last night my translator at the session I am currently teaching at Haus Edelweiss told me that he had to “work himself out of dispensationalism” because he saw the inconsistencies in how it treated genre, symbolism, and structure. He saw undeserving emphasis on the modern state of Israel and the countless times the prophecy experts have been wrong when making predictions what would happen next, from the most recent episodes of violence in the Middle East to the identity of the Antichrist.
On a personal level this has challenged me to be even more committed to completing the trilogy of works on Revelation and eschatology. Even though frequent visitors to this site know that I have wrestled with the very idea of doing extensive writing, the importance of doing so grows weekly. One of the readers even suggested that what needs to be done is for someone to write a series of popular novels from an amillennial perspective (“Left Behind: The Real Story”)!
So here is my question: If many of us believe that dispensationalism is an incorrect and therefore inadequate approach to this vital subject of eschatology, how do we promote another perspective? Any suggestions? For example, it would be helpful if preachers moved beyond Rev. 2-3 and actually tackled other chapters.
Related posts on this site:
The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Dispensational Premillennialism
The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Dispensational Premillennialism Revisited
Why I Am an Amillennialist: Additional Reflections
The Dangers of Theological Systems Illustrated
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In preaching through Revelation several years ago I went beyond Rev 2-3 – in fact, I didn’t even go there. I started with chapter 1 and went straight to 4-5 and on from there. My experience was very positive. The sermons were well recieved and we’ve had more requests for recordings of those sermons than any other. I’m not saying this to pat my own back. I’m saying this to let you know that people are open to another perspective. Also, I’m saying this to let you know that if we find straight-forward and creative ways to communicate the hermeneutical principles (structure, symbolism and especially the “rules” of the apocalyptic genre) then we can be effective. Preachers and teachers also need to think long and hard about application, which I believe is key to helping people see another perspective (“application” seems to be one of the drawing points of dispensationalism because it always seems so current!).
Will we ever get beyond the dispensational baloney? Probably not. It’s too fun. It’s too exciting for people. There’s always something or someone or some event to be on the lookout for. Plus, the demands of an amillennial reading (faithfulness during persecution and cultural seduction) make it much less popular.
I just started my third time through teaching the book of Revelation in my church. Sunday night I started a Bible study at my home. People kept asking me to start another class. There is a desire to understand. Though the group is diverse in age, their approach to the text is fairly uniform. I opened up the first session by asking for their take on the book. Several shared their disp premill understanding. They told me its what they were taught in previous experiences. You are right Bob, they don’t know any other way to understand it. After listening for about 10-15 minutes, we started to look at the text — chapter 1. We discussed genre, historical context, symbolism and Jesus Christ. We ended the study by exalting Jesus as the ruler of the kings of the earth, the one who has fulfilled Daniel 7:13f, and the one who holds the lampstands. We discussed the significance of the lampstand symobolism to our current life situation. We even found our way back to Matthew 24 where I was able to give an example of studying scripture in context. It was an amazing evening. The hearts of the people were open — Jesus Christ was exalted — the beginning of a new perspective was offered.
You are absolutely right! It is the mainstream default position popularized by many of the ways you mentioned. Thank you for recognizing the void in good books about Revelation (and eschatology in general). We need good resources. Between your work and one of your pupils (Shane Wood) I finally feel comfortable teaching Revelation. It has been eye opening for me and the many who attended the classes i taught. We’ve had too much panmillenialism and our silence or ambivalence has resulted in the hermenuitical messs we are now in. I know writing isn’t easy, but please keep doing it. Also, consider posting lectures onmline too. That would a tremendous resource. There is so little good stuff out here in church land. So, thanks for what you have done and what you will do. Grace & peace.
I definitely agree with this. Hank Hanegraaff and Sigmund Brouwer started writing a series of fiction books set in the 1st century to counter the Left Behind series. Two books are out so far, “The Last Disciple” and “The Last Sacrifice” but none others are on the horizon to my knowledge, perhaps because of lack of interest.
I would suggest not making it an “amillennial” issue. In order to correct the widespread errors inherent in Dispensationalism that have become entrenched in the church, it will have to go beyond an “-ism” debate. Otherwise, Christians will continue to see Dispensationalism as an acceptable form of theology that is as legitimate as those of the Calvinism/Arminianism debate. Amillennial, Historic Premillennial and Reformed Postmillennial Christians all need to stand together in pointing out the foundational hermeneutic errors required to prop up Dispensational readings of Scripture and how it fundamentally goes against the Gospel message of the New Covenant in the person and work of Jesus being the fulfillment of the Old.
Bob, we are looking forward to your visit with us this coming October. I’m currently teaching Revelation in one of our Bible school classes. One of the things that has helped me is to focus on a balance between teaching verse by verse (slowing down if you will)and then at times covering a whole chapter or two (speeding it up). Where important transitions occur, such as the vision of the throne and how John hears about the Lion from the tribe of Judah but “sees” the Lamb, I slow down. One week I may cover only a few verses the following I will purposely cover a larger section dealing with the structure (Bauckham and Koester are helpful here). I try to help the class see the importance of Revelation for the Christians in Asia Minor and then encourage discussions about our world and how we too need to be reminded that Revelation also speaks to us. My wife and I watched Lord of the Rings (three nights) last week. It energized me. I forgot that I was teaching and junmped right into preaching mode (another balance thing?).