The Case for Progressive Dispensationalism: The Interface Between Dispensational & Non-Dispensational Theology
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Overview
Debate abounds on the future of Israel and Israel's relation to the church, not only between dispensationalists and non-dispensationalists, but among dispensationalists themselves. In the past that debate has sometimes been acrimonious, and proponents of the differing viewpoints have found little common ground. In recent years, however, views have been modified and developed so that the dialogue is increasingly by cooperation and a mutual exploration of diverse ideas. The Case for Progressive Dispensationalism is intended to enlighten the debate in that same irenic spirit. The book is solidly dispensational in perspective in affirming that the Old Testament prophecies are completely fulfilled in the future, that the nation of Israel has a prophetic future, and that Israel is not the church. Dr. Saucy departs from classic dispensationalism, however, in showing that (1) the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy begins in the present church age, and (2) the church is not a parenthesis in God's program but represents a continuity with the Old Testament messianic program. This modified dispensationalism seeks to satisfy many of the objections of non-dispensational approaches to eschatology while retaining the crucial elements of biblical interpretation that characterize dispensational thought.
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Top Highlights
“As its name indicates, the dispensational view tended to emphasize the differences in the various periods of human history brought about through the progressive revelation of God’s salvation program. Non-dispensationalists, on the other hand, inclined toward an emphasis on the unity of God’s work in biblical history.” (Page 13)
“One such distinction that is often noted is the change in the specific object of faith which took place as the revelation of God’s salvation unfolded. According to dispensationalists, the Old Testament saints could not have expressly placed their faith in Christ and the saving work of his death and resurrection in the same way believers could after those events took place.” (Page 16)
“Perhaps the view most commonly held among evangelical non-dispensationalists is that Israel’s future is simply an incorporation of that people into the church.” (Page 23)
“In our opinion there is a mediating position between non-dispensationalism and traditional dispensationalism that provides a better understanding of Scripture. This view seeks to retain a natural understanding of the prophetic Scriptures that appear to assign a significant role to the nation Israel in the future, in accordance with a dispensational system. But it also sees the program of God as unified within history, in agreement with non-dispensationalists, and it denies a radical discontinuity between the present church age and the messianic kingdom promises.” (Page 27)
“The key distinctive of dispensational theology, as we have seen throughout this book, is the recognition of Israel as a nation set apart from the other nations by God for the service of universal salvation for all peoples.” (Page 221)