04.08.09
Why I’m Not A Premillenial Dispensationalist
(Or, Why I Don’t Believe in the Rapture)
Heilsgeschicte, or salvation history, is a theological term describing the history of God’s interaction with humanity, beginning with Adam and Eve, throughout time. Dispensationalism is a particular understanding of salvation history, which divides it into epochs called dispensations. These dispensations are framed by various covenants and certain portions of scripture. Underlying this framework is the assumption that with each new dispensation, a purer understanding of God is achieved (progressive revelation). Premillenial dispensationalism is a particular brand of dispensationalism with an eschatological thrust.
There are four basic views on the millennium:
- Post-tribulational (tribulation happens, Jesus comes back, millennium happens)
- Pre-trib (rapture happens, tribulation happens, Jesus comes back, millennium happens)
- Post-milliennial (millennium happens, Jesus comes back)
- Amillennial (Jesus comes back)
Premillennial dispensationalism and pre-trib sort of go together.
So why am I not a pre-trib/premilleniannial dispensationalist?
Dispensationalism is very new, circa 1830. A man named John Darby, a staunch Calvinist, came up with the idea, which later came to be associated with such paragons of high-caliber academia as the Scofield Study Bible, Dallas Theological Seminary, and Bob Jones University.
Dispensationalism approaches a very complex and nuanced genre of scripture, viz, apocalyptic literature, with a very un-nuanced literalism. This is bad.
Dispensationalism contributes to Chistians being weird. Discussions of hypothetical or metaphorical images of the future (or possibly even of the past) as literal, endless speculation about meaningless particulars of the end times, obsessive searches for the number 666, and the occasional accusation of a public figure being the Antichrist really make us look bad.
Dispensationalism contributes to carelessness and apathy in terms of stewardship of creation. Since it’s all gonna burn anyway, who cares if we destroy the ozone layer? Sucks for us if it isn’t all gonna burn.
I accept the creeds as a source of authority. Here’s what the Nicene creed says: “[Jesus] will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.” I don’t claim to know what that looks like. But I believe and hope in the return of Christ, and the fullness of His Kingdom.
I believe that apocalyptic literature has more to offer the Church than inspiration for poorly crafted Christian fiction like the Left Behind series. I believe salvation history is more nuanced and complex and interesting than a series of dispensations. I believe in not being unnecessarily weird. I believe in caring for creation.
Thoughts on Dispensationalism and Christian Zionism
I think scripture points to an ongoing special relationship between God and Israel (the people, not the state). You might even be able to call me a Christian Zionist. I think it’s a good thing (for the most part) that an Israeli state was reestablished. I don’t think it’s a sign that the end is near. In fact, I think looking for such signs betrays a gross misunderstanding of Jesus’ words. I think it’s a good thing (for the most part) that the U.S. has a special relationship with the state of Israel. I don’t think that Israel can do no wrong. I really don’t think that Israel’s handling of the Palestinian situation is cool at all. And I don’t think the U.S. has a special relationship with or favour from God, on its own or as a result of its support of Israel.
If you haven’t guessed, I’m amillennial.