The
following is an introduction to the contents of the recently published
manuscript. It includes a synopsis, and an excerpt from the Preface.
Synopsis:
The manuscript, consisting of 24 chapters, is an analysis of the
theological-hermeneutical grid of Bible Presbyterianism, with particular focus
on the works of scholars at Far Eastern Bible College (Singapore). Written in
an irenic spirit, the work begins with a discussion of the distinction between
Israel and the Church, and the consistently literal hermeneutics adhered to by
Bible Presbyterians. After a general, comparative study of Bible Presbyterian
and Reformed ecclesiology, the author discusses the various doctrinal
ramifications of the Israel/Church distinction, such as the pretribulation
rapture theory, the parenthesis interpretation of Daniel 9:24-27, the
restitution of Ezekielian sacrifices in the Millennium, and the concept of a
Davidic, earthly Kingdom. The difficulties of reconciling the Westminster
Standards and the Belgic Confession together with the eschatological schema of
dispensational premillennialism are also looked at. Finally, the author returns
to the Israel/Church distinction adhered to by Bible Presbyterians, and compare
the Bible Presbyterian’s theological-hermeneutical grid with that of
Progressive Dispensationalism.
The author
demonstrates that Bible Presbyterians adhere to the sine qua non of
Dispensationalism. In fact, the Bible Presbyterians are closer to Normative
Dispensationalism than to Progressive Dispensationalism. The author believes
that this work will contribute to the ongoing dialogue between
Dispensationalists and Covenant theologians. Dispensationalists will be
pleasantly surprised that Bible Presbyterians are actually much closer to them
than to Reformed theology on the dispensational-covenantal continuum. The
manuscript makes use of contemporary discourses and studies in
Dispensationalism, as well as current thoughts in Christian theology.
Excerpt from
the Preface:
"This
book is written primarily as a response to a course taught by Dr Jeffrey Khoo
of Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC), the only Bible Presbyterian seminary in
Singapore. The course is entitled, Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology. In
this series of lectures, Dr Khoo claims that Bible Presbyterians have been
falsely labeled “dispensational” by other Covenant theologians. This is despite
the fact that Bible Presbyterians in Singapore adhere to the sine qua non of
Dispensationalism, as well as to Dispensational Premillennialism.
My
objectives in writing this book are as follows: Firstly, I would like to
present the theological-hermeneutical grid of Bible Presbyterianism as
propounded by FEBC. This includes a discussion of the sine qua non of
Dispensationalism, and its major ramifications in the areas of Bible
Presbyterian ecclesiology and eschatology. Secondly, I would like to correct
the caricatured description of Dispensationalism as presented in Dr Khoo’s
course. In fact, a principal contention of this book is: an adherence to
Dispensationalism’s sine qua non does not allow a theologian to avoid the
appropriate appellation of “dispensational.” Thirdly, I would like to
illustrate that one’s prophetic schema is determined by one’s underlying
theological-hermeneutical grid, be it dispensational or covenantal in
structure. The reader will be shown that the essence of Dispensationalism has
its greatest implications in the areas of ecclesiology and eschatology.
There is a
saying that every fourth verse in Scripture was prophetic when written. “There
is hardly a book in the Bible,” observes Girdlestone, “which is wholly devoid
of the prophetic element.”[1] Although eschatology cannot be made a test of
one’s orthodoxy or salvation,[2] the student of the Bible must realize that
prophecy constitutes a substantial portion of Holy Scripture. The
interpretation of such prophetic passages is governed by one’s hermeneutics,
which in turn is directed by how one views ethnic Israel and the Church (i.e.
ecclesiology). Furthermore, the subject of eschatology cannot be divorced from
the rest of systematic theology. As the eschatology and ecclesiology of a
theologian are systematically determined by his underlying
theological-hermeneutical grid, an adherence to a particular millennial view
(i.e. Dispensational Premillennialism) will disclose to a good extent how the
theologian approaches Scripture. A Dispensationalist will read Scripture
dispensationally,[3] while the Reformed theologian interprets Scripture with a
different theological-hermeneutical grid.
Some
Christian leaders have sadly acquired an agnostic stance with regard to
biblical prophecy. Since prophecy constitutes much of Scripture, portions of
the Bible are either ignored or misinterpreted by these teachers of God’s Word.
It is sometimes even claimed that prophecy is irrelevant to a Christian’s
spiritual progress. These claims are often made because it is felt that
eschatology should not divide brethren-in-Christ. While it is true that the
interpretation of prophecy should not divide Christians, an agreement upon the
correct understanding of prophetic Scripture will bring about stronger unity in
heart and spirit. This call for unity in the understanding of prophecy becomes
imperative when one discovers that prophecy not only comprises a large portion
of Scripture, but is also intimately intertwined with all areas of God’s Word.
The reader
will soon discover that eschatology cannot be isolated from the rest of
systematic theology. In fact, major prophetic themes are concerned with either
the First or the Second Advent of Christ. The misinterpretation of prophecy
also means a misunderstanding of certain aspects of the person or work of
Christ. Consequently, in the study of systematic theology, the importance of
prophecy cannot be overemphasized."
Notes
[2] This excludes the erroneous belief that
Christ will not return visibly, physically, and gloriously.
[3] To read Scripture dispensationally is to
interpret Scripture using the sine qua
non of Dispensationalism. This will be discussed in detail in this book.
