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Understanding Dispensationalists 2nd ed.

Vern S. Poythress (Author)

  • Market Price: $8.99
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Binding: Paperback
Page Count: 144
Publisher: P&R Publishing
ISBN#: 9780875523743

Availability: Temporarily Out of Stock

Description: Many books have been written to show that dispensationalism is either right or wrong.   In this book Vern S. Poythress takes a different approach.   Believing that dialogue is possible between dispensationalists and covenant theologians (of which he is one), he examines dispensationalism in detail and notes significant developments toward greater agreement between the two positions.

This second edition adds a postscript in which Poythress acknowledges further developments in modified dispensationalism and clarifies three points in response to feedback from dispensational readers.

“…a fair, irenic evaluation…Poythress should be thanked for helping to open up healthy dialogue among brothers and sisters in Christ.”
--Darrell L. Bock, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

“…a solid, thought-provoking study.   It should be required reading for people on both sides of this controversy.”
--Anthony A. Hoekema, Calvin Theological Journal

Monergism Review: Synopsis: The discussion between dispensationalists, covenant theologians, and others on the wide spectrum in between, has been as energetic and voluminous as just about any other major theological controversy of this generation; and yet much of the time it seems that the two opposing parties are speaking past each other, and that the most watertight arguments one might lay out against the other system are shrugged off with ease. In Understanding Dispensationalists , Vern Poythress addresses the problems that arise when argumentation and exegesis from an outside perspective are brought to bear on a basically self-contained hermeneutic. In a perceptive and disarming manner, Poythress illuminates the misunderstandings of the past and points the way forward, in the belief that, when dispensationalists and covenant theologians can actually listen to each other, there is much progress to be made.

Anyone who has engaged in dialogue with dispensationalists, and come away frustrated by the way they can deflect critiques with an intricate system of mutually-interpretive texts, would do well to read Understanding Dispensationalists . Poythress has a solid grasp on the dispensational system, and knows where the typical dispensationalist is coming from, and what kinds of dialogue and argumentation are likely to have an effect. He is also fully aware of all of the modifications of dispensationalism that have been growing in the past years, and has an uncanny knack for prognosticating future lines of development, and for employing arguments that capitalize on current trends. If someone is likely to be involved in a discussion about dispensationalism or covenant theology, this will prove an invaluable little book for making that discussion fruitful.
   
Poythress begins with a brief and enlightening history of the development of dispensationalism, and mentions some current trends in covenant theology as well, before showing how the stage is set for an impasse: given the all-inclusive and self-interpretive nature of the dispensational system, it is nearly impossible to frame a simple refutation, on the basis of a few key texts, that will be effective in persuading the well-educated dispensationalist. However, this does not mean that there is no hope for a healthy discussion, or that exegesis cannot be the answer; it just calls for a discerning selection of texts that are likely to touch upon the truly important issues, and a way to unpack them in a manner that addresses the dispensationalist's real concerns, and marks out a path for further exploration.
   
The heart of the book is a stimulating discussion of literal and grammatical-historical hermeneutics, and an outstanding foray into typology, including the ways in which dispensationalists have approached typology in the past, and the problems that the subject as a whole raises for the dispensational system. This discussion is given concrete exemplification in the exegesis of two key passages (1 Corinthians 15:51-53 and Hebrews 12:22-24), both of which bring up insurmountable inconsistencies in the dispensational hermeneutic, and point the way toward a more biblically justifiable understanding.
   
Poythress concludes by marking out several areas in which fruitful discussion could be pursued in the future, and which have previously been left relatively untreated. His opinion that many modified dispensationalists are so different from their hardline cousins in precisely the most important areas that they actually have much more in common with covenant theology than the more extreme varieties of dispensationalism seems to fuel his optimism that in the future many current trends in modified dispensationalism will eventually lead to a basically historic premillennial system, such as that of Ladd.   This is an encouraging assessment indeed, from so perceptive an analyst!
   
In sum: if you would like to get an overview of the history of the dispensational/covenant theology debate, and an update on the current trends in the discussion; if you would benefit from an accurate and sympathetic understanding of where dispensationalists are coming from (or if, as a dispensationalist, you would appreciate such a perspective from an irenic opponent); or if you would be interested in a penetrating analysis of the way forward in a discussion that has not always been marked by understanding and advance, then this is a book you would do well to read.
--Nathan Pitchford
Understanding Dispensationalists 2nd ed.
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Monergism Books is a Reformed Christian Internet bookseller with the goal of equipping Christians in the truth by making available the finest classic resources of historical orthodoxy. This is done in the hope that the church will embrace, and recover a Christ-centered gospel and the true Biblical doctrines of the historic faith.


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