What is the biblical basis for Dispensational Premillennialism?
score:7
This question should probably be answered by somebody that believes in dispensationalism as well. (Obviously, from that sentence you all know that I do not.) Nevertheless I will venture a "pre-answer". I will not discuss passages of scripture, that taken together might be understood as supporting the view.
I'd like to put some focus on the hermeneutics behind this view. How do you read the Bible in order to come up with this specific interpretation? I think the following points apply:
- Unless there is a compelling reason to interpret a passage differently, all scripture should be read literally. The question of genre is not high on the agenda. When reading texts about eschatology in the Bible, they are all considered a topic, not a genre.
- Thus, there exist no specific apocalyptic genre that needs special consideration. The question what the texts in Revelations, Daniel, Ezekiel, etc meant to the original hearers is therefore low on the agenda. Instead all focus is on how we today can harmonize various sayings in different passages having access to the finished Bible.
- Specifically, numbers telling passage of time are to be understood literally. Saying that a number only has a symbolic meaning is out of the question.
- When there is a possible difference between various passages in the scripture, the main solution is not to re-interpret the passage as such, but to apply them in different phases. Thus the second coming is a 2-phase event, all time, including the Old Testament time, is divided in different "dispensations" during which God uses partly different means to help mankind.
- The "natural Israel" is of utmost importance when God is shaping history. The church age is basically just a phase. It's importance is primarily in preaching the Gospel to the ends of the earth. For the salvation of the individual, this is of course very important, but it is not really important for God's rule of the earth.
Using this hermeneutic approach one can dive in at various places in the Bible to explain Dispensational Premillennialism, since the teaching relies on how to fit different parts of the Bible together. The Bible read this way is (among other things) a puzzle and the pre-trib view is its solution.
(Yes, my bias does show through in this answer. I hope, however, that it does not mean I have explained anything in a false way. I have read substantial amounts of text written by pre-trib theologians.)
Upvote:0
The question of how one interprets scripture should focus on reading and understanding the Bible as a whole, rather than analyzing isolated verses or passages. Also, unless narrowly applied, allegorical or "spiritualized" analysis should be avoided in most instances since no one knows exactly where to draw the line for its use . For example, are we to consider the virgin birth of Jesus an allegory about his sinless life, or do we accept it literally? Of course we take it literally. Then why allegorize other narratives? To avoid embarrassment? Because we do not yet understand it? Much negative talk about a literal millennium originated with Origen and Augustine who lived during a time when a reign of Christ conflicted with a Roman government which had tentatively embraced a young Christianity, and would not look kindly on a new king named Jesus. Hence, they said Christ would "reign in our hearts," not literally.
More post
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for identifying the Lazarus Jesus raised from the dead and the Lazarus in the story of the rich man and Lazarus?
- 📝 Why has God punished every human for one person's sin?
- 📝 What is the difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven?
- 📝 Book on "What Happened to the Seven Churches of Revelation?"
- 📝 Are there any extra-biblical documented instances of the gift of interpretation of tongues in the history of the Church?
- 📝 According to the teaching of the Reformed Church do we contribute anything to our salvation or is it all of grace?
- 📝 If the Weekly Sabbath was instituted at creation, doesn't that prove that it has been abolished?
- 📝 What verses focus on the prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus being pierced on the cross?
- 📝 Are there gender requirements for Sponsors for a Catholic baptism?
- 📝 When was papal supremacy accepted by the entirety of the Catholic Church?
- 📝 Why couldn't Adam and Eve keep both commandments?
- 📝 How does Catholic Church view the new school of thought on multiplication of bread by Jesus?
- 📝 What does the Orthodox Church actually teach about Original Sin?
- 📝 What is the source of Paul's issues with Sophistry?
- 📝 How do defenders of baptismal regeneration understand Acts 8?
- 📝 How do Cessationists view "being filled with the Holy Spirit"?
- 📝 Is praying the rosary, heard when our attention is difficult to maintain?
- 📝 What is the easy and less complicated definition of predestination [Calvinism]?
- 📝 Why was Dan removed from the list of 12 Israel tribes in Rev 7?
- 📝 Do Catholic Priests Make Yearly Visits to Households Anymore?
- 📝 How should I understand the emphasis on "begotten, not made" in the Nicene Creed?
- 📝 On what basis do Catholics continue doctrinal development after the Bible canon was closed?
- 📝 What year did the Hebrew nation with Joshua cross the Jordan river into the promised land?
- 📝 Who was affected by the plague in Numbers 25?
- 📝 How did Luther have access to the Masoretic Text?
- 📝 How did Adam and Eve win at Hide and Seek?
- 📝 What is significant about the title of "Son of David" that was attributed to Jesus?
- 📝 How do those who cite 2 Tim 3:16 to prove the inspiration of Scripture know that 2 Tim 3:16 is itself inspired and what is meant by "All Scripture"?
- 📝 Does the seal of confession apply even when the sin is intended and there is no desire to repent?
- 📝 According to Catholicism, why did the Blessed Mother stay a virgin during her pregnancy with Jesus?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for Dispensational Premillennialism?
- 📝 What is the Biblical Basis for differences in the Dispensational and Non-dispensational understanding of the 70th week in the Book of Daniel?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for the doctrine of the Trinity?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for the claim that abortion is immoral?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for the concept that Jesus spent time in Hell?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for Jesus being God incarnate?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for Total Depravity?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for believing in the Book of Mormon?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for saying Lucifer is an angel?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for Universal salvation?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for disbelief in the doctrine of the Trinity?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for the Immaculate Conception?
- 📝 What is the Biblical Basis for a Good person going to hell simply for not believing?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for Unconditional Election?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for Limited Atonement?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for unitarianism?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for Irresistible Grace?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for withholding communion from believers who are unbaptized?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for the prohibition of instruments in worship?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for saying that wives can divorce their physically abusive husbands?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for the eternal existence of the lost in hell?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for an Old Earth?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for infant baptism?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for the doctrine of the Trinity consisting of different persons?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis or precedent for restricting women from serving in war?
- 📝 What is the Biblical and historical basis for Christian pacifism?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for the priesthood of all believers?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for baptism by sprinkling?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for salvation by faith alone (sola fide)?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for the belief that Jesus is Michael?
