Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism

Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason discusses his views on covenant theology and dispensationalism.

#StandtoReason #Apologetics #Christianity

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[todddale]

Amen brother!!! As a deacon in a Reformed Baptist Church I find myself one of the few who embraces God’s prophetic promises to Israel will be fulfilled 😊❤️

[WhiteCrayonComposer]

I think I would agree with John MacArthur who calls himself a "leaky dispensationalist." Dispensationalism gets some things right, but has a number of issues. In some dispensational camps they would say that we should only read certain books in the Bible which were for gentiles while the Jews should read the other books. Some would even say that the sermon on the mount was for Jews and not gentiles, and some would even suggest that there is a separate gospel for Jews and gentiles. I do not agree with any of these ideas. However, I think it is hard to deny that God still has a plan for the literal nation of ethnic Israel. I believe that covenant theology gets it right in regard to the fact that the same gospel that saves gentiles also saves the Jews. There is no separate gospel. However, covenant theology seems to fall flat because it seems to completely miss the most obvious point which is that Israel is literally a nation again. A lot of covenant theology folks seem to think there is no significance to the fact that Israel is literally a nation again. But I think it is undeniably significant. If God was truly done with the nation of Israel and had no future plans for them since they crucified Jesus, then why didn't God simply let them become extinct like the Moabites, the Hittites, the Amorites, etc. There have been so many attempts down through the ages by different nations to annihilate the Jews. But no one can seem to stamp them out. Is this a coincidence? I don't think so. God isn't done with them.

[staza]

Very helpful. Thank you! I have been studying this a lot lately and listening to everyone I can. Still trying to decide what I believe. Both of you point seem reasonable to me. Praying for discernment.

[oddfellow]

Finally someone who agrees with my view!!!
Thank you, Sir!!!

[chardeman]

Outstanding presentation. Very Biblical and very clear. Thank you so much.

[mb]

I contend that those who hold to a future status for a nation state of Israel have failed to understand who Jesus is. When viewed through the New Testament lens of the prophet like Moses (Acts 3:22, 7:37) and the fulfilment of the Isaianic New Exodus, we see that the New Testament writers saw Jesus as the one through whom all of the prophetic expectations were being realized. Despite the attempts of many to identify a place for a third temple in the pages of the NT, there is simply no such space available, because the entirety of the role and purpose of the temple has been fully realized and superseded in Jesus, expressed by his church, and empowered by the the glory (shekinah) of the Holy Spirit. That's what Pentecost was all about. It's true that Paul holds out a place for the Jewish people in Romans, but he does not portend the re-establishment of the nation state. The OT expectation is for the re-establishment of the throne of David. That is the moment of prophetic realization. Luke is abundantly clear that the Davidic throne has been fully occupied now by the resurrected Jesus.

[ceruleanblue]

Finally! I'm so glad you explained what monergism and synergism are in one sentence! It made it much easier to understand.

[paulmcdowall]

Given the very depths and breadth of information one could present about these two ideas, you have done, IMHO, an excellent job of highlighting the most significant 'linchpin' that differentiates them.

[pastorernestalbuquerque]

Excellent, sound expository of biblical theology. Totally in agreement with you. God bless.

[pastorjimwalls]

After twenty four years of Pastoral ministry I think this is the best short explanation of the differences between Covenant Theology & Dispensationalism that I've ever heard. I recently preached a short series called ' The Rise and Fall of World Powers ' from Daniel 2:9-21 & Daniel 4:16-17. My overall goal was to show our church that God is Not only sovereign in the salvation of the lost but that his sovereignty extends to Nations rising and falling. In Daniel 4:16-17, Daniel hammers home the truth that God will even raise up wicked leaders for His divine purpose. If you follow the doctrine of divine sovereignty to it's Biblical & logical conclusion there is absolutely no legitimate way to downplay the rebirth of National Israel in 1948. One cannot embrace a given doctrine in a Theological vaccum. God Is sovereign over the Nations, especially National Israel.

[AcousticSounds-fjot]

I am not a dispensationalist, but I actually agree with the biggest part of your explanation here. Great job on seeking to be honest with the text.

[thesourcerer]

Praise God for your input via video Greg. I have come to exactly the very same conclusion by a extensive reading of the Old Testament prophets. Yet, so many who call themselves Christians argue IFO replacement theology and that what we now believe is considered a radical extreme fringe view which by their estimation is considered ridiculous. Yet, the Old Testament prophets is full of this wonderful prophecies with regards to the end time national reconciliation of Israel when Messiah returns to earth as foretold. God bless you for this input.

[ArtVandelay-ImporterExporter]

The crucial question is, how did the NT author's, under the inspiration of the Holy Srpiti interpret those national promises? For instance in Acts 2 Peter refers to the resurrection/ascension of Christ to the right hand of God as fulfilling God's prophecy in 2 Sam that the Messiah would sit on David's throne. He's on it now in heaven. It wasnt about an earthly throne in Jerusalem.

[erikkenrick]

As one firmly reformed in my soteriology I want so badly to be covenantal in my greater theological view but Romans 11 and the O.T. prophets won't let me remove some kind of distinction between national Israel and the church...

[x]

"You are a holy nation a royal priesthood" - talking to Christians.

Christ ONLY is the recipient of the promises, those who are in him ONLY will benefit from them.

There is nothing else.

[davethunselle]

Thank you clear thinking. I was introduced to CR Stams writings in my early 20s. Dispensational thought. No one man’s writings are completely correct, but both yours and his explanation seem to seek the simple logic of God’s narrative of Grace being offered through Israel’s prophesied messiah, after Israel’s rejection Jesus, Israel breaking their covenant with God, God revealed the mystery of the Body of Christ through Paul; providing Grace and salvation to all, not only Israel. Simply ingenious on God’s part. Israel’s failure translated into an offer of Grace to all of us.
Makes me love God even more.

[douglaspinsak]

This is why I am only a "Christian". I am not a Weslayan, or a Calvinist, or an Arminian or dispensationalist, etc. I read the Bible, I believe the Bible, I largely understand the Bible. I agree with Calvin on some things but not all things, I agree with dispensationalists on some things but not all things--it seems foolish to me to take on these various titles and ideologies. Just be a "Christian" and forget about all these other labels.

[alanmunch]

Absolutely, God will fulfil His promises to Israel, otherwise He is a liar. About 80% of all prophetic predictions have so far been fulfilled, literally; so it is logical and scriptural that the remains 20% will also be fulfilled. It’s extraordinary that so many believers today try to explain away future/ yet-to-be fulfilled prophecies, by allegorising or ‘spiritualising’ them away. God fulfilling His promises is the most compelling evidence of who He is, and the veracity of His Word; He says this many times.

[lebero]

This was EXCELLENT!!! Great video. Very clear and concise for the everyday believer.

[trainsinkansas]

I am a dispensationalist. I'm glad to hear that some in the Covenant Theology camp do see that the church has not taken the place of Israel. Ezekiel chapters 40- 48. Have a great day, a brother in Christ.