Note: This is an addendum to a series written in 2005/06 which is no longer available in blog form but can be accessed here.

http://www.joelwnelson.com/articles/Dispensationalism Series 06.pdf

I am returning to a topic I discussed in great detail starting about this time last year: dispensational theology. Why a return to this topic? First, my understanding and opinions of the topic have changed quite a bit since I began researching dispensationalism at the end of 2005. When I began writing before, I was just beginning to emerge from dispensationalism. Now I am clearly a “former dispensationalist”. I have also observed both how ubiquitous dispensational beliefs are in the United States, and also some perhaps unintended consequences that dispensationalism is having on the Church in America.

I am starting this article with the basic assumption that each reader knows what dispensationalism is and what its fundamentals are. My goal in this particular post is not to provide a thorough explanation of the dispensational system, as I have already done that in the past. My goal is to point out the effects and ramifications of the dispensational system (and belief in it).

1. Identifying Dispensational Beliefs

The most common dispensational beliefs in 21st century America are support for the nation of Israel, distinct differences between Jews and Gentiles, the imminent return of Christ in a secret rapture, and a future earthly reign of Christ in Jerusalem. Dispensationalism has its own framework of Scripture interpretation; common interpretive methods associated with dispensational interpretation include separating Israel and Gentile believers in all prophetic passages, determining the intended modern audience for each passage of Scripture, and ensuring that all passages of Scripture referring to Jews or a Jewish audience are taken “literally” (or always as physical descendants of Abraham). Passages that are eschatological in nature are regarded as strictly future, typically pertaining to a future Jewish audience in the time when the Gentile church is removed so God can complete unfinished work with Israel. In general, any eschatological teaching that involves the imminent return of Christ in a pre-tribulational rapture is dispensational teaching.

By this point, all readers will likely have identified their beliefs to determine if they hold to dispensational theology or not (or if their favorite Bible teachers and authors do/don’t). If it is still unclear, here is a list of well-known teachers and writers who promote dispensational teachings.
Baker, Charles F. / Chafer, Lewis Sperry / Chick, Jack / Darby, John Nelson / Feinberg, Charles L. / Gaebelein, A.C. / Hunt, Dave / Ironside, Harry A. / Jensen, Irving L. / La Haye, Tim / Larkin, Clarence / Lindsey, Hal / Pentecost, J. Dwight / Ryrie, Charles C. /Scofield, Cyrus I. / Tan, Paul Lee / Van Impe, Jack / Walvoord, John F.

Two organizations that are well-known for promoting American dispensationalism are Dallas Theological Seminary and Moody Bible Institute.

In addition, the “Fundamentalist” and “Evangelical” movements are highly influenced by dispensational teachings. Most “Fundamentalist” or “Evangelical” teachers and churches will promote dispensational theology.

The point of the preceding lists is not to criticize or slander individuals but rather to provide identification of dispensational teachings. If you read books or reference works by these authors and publishers, on the subject of Israel or the end times, you are reading dispensationalism.

I also want to be quick to state that I am not recommending that one ignore or reject any and all teachings by these individuals and organizations on this basis alone. Many of these teachers have good teachings and have written and taught things that are sound Biblical doctrine. But when you read anything pertaining to Israel (especially Israel contrasted to the Gentiles) or the end times, you are not getting direct Bible teaching but rather one particular view filtered through the dispensational interpretation framework. When reading works by these authors, validate everything you read and do not accept it simply as fact.

That principle should, in fact, be applied to ANY man-made work. I would hope that even this blog is subject to the same degree of scrutiny and examination!

2. Why Is It An Issue?

The high degree of prominence that dispensationalism has among Christians in the United States means that most people accept dispensational teachings as fact (without diligently verifying it) and thus interpret the Bible according to dispensationalism. Thus, it doesn’t seem to matter to most people that the Bible never mentions a pre-tribulation rapture or strong differentiations between Jews and Gentiles, as it is just something that is taken as a “given”. Most people are drawn to the apparently gifted teachers who are able to “make the Rapture appear in Scripture where it is otherwise unclear” (actual quote). And considering the American church’s propensity to soak up any new teaching, especially that which has life-changing potential or provides answers to the issues of the day, it is not at all difficult to explain how dispensationalism became so prominent among American believers.

One of the major modern issues that can be attributed to dispensationalism is the extreme level of support the American church shows for the nation of Israel. For example, in the recent battle between Israel and Lebanon, there were a number of Lebanese Christians killed as a result of Israeli strikes. However, almost all the attention among American Christians was on the residents of Israel. Many churches and many Christian websites devoted much attention to prayers for the protection of the (unbelieving) residents of Israel, while little or no attention was given to fellow Christian believers in Lebanon. It was almost as if it was seen as being their fault for residing in a country that opposed “God’s people”. Non-dispensationalists recognized “God’s people” as those who are true believers in Christ, but dispensationalists looked within the borders of Israel. Many of them turned their backs on their brothers and sisters in a time of great need — a result of their worldview as seen through the dispensational lens.

In addition, the combined force of dispensationalism, the American church, and American conservative politics has resulted in a system where American leaders feel morally obligated to defend the nation of Israel, effectively giving them a blank check in Middle Eastern affairs. The ramifications of this are major — a theological position that is unverified could be used as a foundation for a potential war. This support for Israel comes from the numerous Old Testament passages referring to praying for Jerusalem and blessing Israel. However, can it be proven that this still refers to the political state? It would seem that if we interpret these passages through the New Testament, it appears more likely that the spiritual meaning (the church) should be accepted in application rather than the political/physical meaning. As was stated above, however, dispensational interpretation requires that “Israel” always be regarded as the physical descendants of Abraham, and (after 1948) the political nation of Israel. The New Testament makes it clear that “not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel.” (Rom. 9:6).

In addition, the integration of dispensational theology into American foreign policy has contributed to a system that opposes peace efforts and international mediatory bodies such as the United Nations, due to the dispensational perception that multi-nation efforts are a sign of antichrist. One would only have to read “Left Behind” to gain an understanding of the American dispensationalist’s hatred for the U.N., the European Union, etc. This also explains why plans for peace in the Middle East, or an attempt at resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, are vehemently opposed by Americans who have been influenced by dispensationalism.

Finally, as a related issue to the above paragraph, many politically-active American Christians find something positive in the perpetual conflicts in the Middle East as it is regarded as a sign that the rapture is drawing close. Due to the popular belief that the antichrist figure will make a peace treaty in Israel, American foreign policy-makers tend to oppose efforts that could potentially lead to peace.

Now can it be proven that the dispensationalists are wrong? No, it can’t easily be proven… and this is one of the major reasons why dispensationalism continues to thrive. We do know that it will be difficult to have peace in the Middle East as a result of the conflict between Isaac and Ishmael. But is it wrong to hope for peace? And is it wrong to have international bodies such as the United Nations and the European Union? Outside of a dispensational framework, it is difficult to find moral/spiritual reasons to oppose organizations such as those. They provide checks and balances, which are a good thing to have in a society that seems to enjoy pushing the limits in every aspect of life.

3. A Major Interpretive Difficulty

Romans 9:6 is a verse that poses a major problem for the dispensational system. Many dispensational teachers state that the “church age” is a parenthesis in God’s plan for Israel, brought on because Israel rejected Christ at His first coming. In other words, God’s plan for Israel temporarily failed. They also state that “Israel” refers to those who descended from Jacob (Israel). Well, Paul seems to clearly put that to rest:

Romans 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel.

The curious thing with the dispensational framework is that it always emphasizes strict literalness when referring to Israel… but very few dispensational teachers can take this literally. In fact, as those who read my blog a year ago will know, this verse was a major factor in my conversion from dispensationalism as once you’ve read it and understood it, you have to either explain away its meaning (to make it fit the dispensational framework) or watch the dispensational framework crumble.

4. Other Interpretive Difficulties

Numerous dispensationalists have stated that dispensationalism (and especially dispensationalist eschatology) rests on the “gap theory” in Daniel 9. This “gap theory” pertains to a long period of time separating the 69th and 70th in the prophecy. The problem is that the passage does not suggest any gap. The only way to see a gap there is to impose it upon the passage, which dispensationalism does. However, dispensationalism supposedly rests upon the existence of that gap… which dispensationalism created. Is it just me, or is it difficult to believe in a system that has circular reasoning at its core?

Dispensational eschatology also relies on the pre-tribulation rapture and the imminent return of Christ. Dispensational teachers frequently remind us that “the rapture could occur at any moment.” However, 2 Thessalonians clearly teaches that the Second Coming will not occur until after the Man of Lawlessness has been revealed. Take a look:
2 Thessalonians 2, starting at v.1 ~ “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.”

But what about the passage that says that Christ will return “as a thief in the night”? Dispensationalists frequently remind us of this, and it is most certainly a Scriptural concept. But… look closely at the passage in 1 Thessalonians 5. If dispensationalists consider themselves to be part of the group that will experience the Second Coming “as a thief in the night”, there are some major problems!
1 Thessalonians 5, starting at v.2 ~ “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.”

This is an obvious interpretive difficulty for dispensationalists, as based on these passages if they expect the Second Coming to occur at any moment, they have to then regard themselves as being part of the group that is “in darkness”.

Another major problem for the dispensational pre-trib rapture is that dispensational teaching states the rapture is secret — people suddenly vanish and then the seven-year tribulation period begins. The key word here is “secret”. Revelation 1:7 states that “every eye will see him” and Matthew 24 states that the coming of the Son of Man will be “as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west”. This does not exactly sound like a secret return! Dispensational teachers get around this difficulty by stating that the rapture is not really the second coming. However, this is not backed up anywhere in Scripture — it is a convenient defense that cannot be proven or disproven — because no mention is made in Scripture. In a court of law that kind of evidence would be discarded… so why is the Church so willing to accept it as truth?

A final problem for the dispensational eschatological system is the millennial period in Rev. 20. The dispensational model calls for a future earthly reign of Christ, after the Second Coming. After the reign of Christ on the earth, Satan leads a rebellion and attempts to once again deceive the world to turn against Christians — but God intervenes and judges the world, sentencing Satan and his followers to eternal punishment. But where did those people who were deceived come from? No dispensationalist has a solid answer. The best answers given are that Satan was loosed and thus deceived the people inhabiting the earth. Who are those who inhabit the earth during that period? Those who were ruling and reigning with Christ, right? And THEY were deceived? In response to this issue, dispensational teachers say that there were unbelievers alive on the earth all throughout the millennium and that they were the ones deceived. What is missed is that this is already after the Second Coming… meaning that after Christ returns to destroy evil, evil appears once again under His rule. Essentially, the dispensational eschatological system has created two parallel systems:
First Coming -> Church Age -> Tribulation/Rebellion -> Christ’s return to defeat Antichrist (Second Coming) -> Millennial period -> Rebellion/Armageddon -> Defeat of Satan/Judgment.
However, all prophecies referring to the Second Coming and judgment indicate they are simultaneous events — not separate events spread out over 1,000 years. Add in the pre-trib rapture, and the dispensational model has taken an event that Scripture makes clear occurs at one time — the Day of the Lord — and caused it to last 1,007 years (including a second fall of man in the process!).

5. What To Do About It

First… don’t immediately change your views just because of what I have written (or anyone else for that matter). If you take what I’ve written and accept it word-for-word, how is that any different than those who just believe dispensationalism because it’s all that has ever been taught? Insights into Scripture, and wisdom and understanding do not come just from reading someone else’s work and applying it. As with many other issues — this is something between you and God.

Second… if you read books or other teaching works by dispensational teachers such as those I named above, realize that you are getting opinion on the last days, not fact.

And third… my call to the reader is to not be swayed by either this post or by the rampant dispensationalism, but rather to get into Scripture and see what it really has to say — free from any interpretive grid or feeling of requirement to interpret a passage a certain way.

Addendum
The Foreign Policy of Twenty Million Would-Be Immortals
Dispensationalist View: Blame for 9/11
Dispensational Zionists View Middle-East Roadmap As Heresy
The Unannounced Reason Behind American Fundamentalism’s Support for the State of Israel
Dispensational View of Israel, 20th Century and Beyond

Additional Resources
Understanding Dispensationalists
The Man of Sin
The Bible and the Future