PART 2 – Dispensationalism vs. Covenant Theology (56 min)

PART 2 – Dispensationalism vs. Covenant Theology (56 min)

A conference on the topic of dispensationalism was held in Sarnia, Ontario, in 2015, with Dan Shutt, David Vallance and Ian Jackson sharing 5 preaching sessions between them.

PART 2 – David Vallance looks at the ramifications of a person’s eschatology (their view of future events). Why did Oliver Cromwell go into battle singing the Psalms, and crushing his enemies in spirit of a Joshua who conquered the Canaanites? Why was Luther anti-Semitic? Why do some churches have ornate sanctuaries and ritualistic ceremonies? Why do some Christians believe in baptising babies into the “Covenant family”? Why do others believe Christians have a mandate to redeem culture? And why is there such a thing as a prosperity gospel, where land and possessions are seen as signs of God’s blessing? It turns out that dispensationalism has something to say to all of these issues. Why? Because it takes Bible prophecy literally, unless directed otherwise by the text, so that Israel means Israel and the church means the church; 1,000 years means 1,000 years; 42 months means 42 months. This scriptural eschatological hermeneutic leads to pre-millennialism and makes it impossible to hold to “Covenant theology”.