(No this is not a post about Donovan Frankenreiter, who sings a great song with this same title)
On Thursday mornings I meet with some other guys at Starbucks to do what all good Dispensationalists do, talk about Eschatology (the study of the things to come)…don’t worry, we leave our charts at home :/
This past week we were discussing preterism, specifically a chapter in Paul Benware’s updated book, Understanding End Times Prophecy. Without going into much detail preterism is the theological position that maintains that all (with some variations) of the prophecy in the Bible has been fulfilled. Preterist hold to an early date (AD 65 or so) of the book of Revelation and then its fulfillment with the siege of Jerusalem by Rome in AD 70.
As we discussed the chapter we were struck by the men who hold this view. Preterists include R.C. Sproul and Kenneth Gentry. As we talked it was interesting to consider all of the theological variations that various men have. For instance, I would lock arms with Sproul in his Calvinism, and Gentry, well, with his great book on wine.
This is true with so many others as well. For instance, look at the Together for the Gospel group. You have CJ Mahenney who is a reformed charismatic, Al Mohler & Mark Dever both Southern Baptists, and I believe historical premillenialists, and Ligon Duncan a Presbyterian amillennialist. But all have the gospel wired and march in step towards the proclamation and defense of it.
I believe it was Calvin who once said that on his best day his theology was 70% right. John MacArthur said he changes and will change, and would change immediately once he finds out where he is wrong. This really is a great aspect of Christian sanctification. We are progressively having our minds changed, our theology rocked and our images conformed to the One with perfect theology, Jesus Christ. The day we resist theological change is a sad day. (Of course I am talking about theological change that is biblically induced not personality or fad induced),
Since Nebraska is in its first Big 12 Championship since 99 I thought I would look at the last 7 years for changes in my own theology. I remember working through Calvinism in ’99 and being convinced with the doctrines of grace. I went from being indifferent about eschatology to being a futuristic premillenialist (believing in a future for the nation of Israel and a literal 1,000 year reign by Jesus). I also changed from supporting a congregationally ruled church government to elder ruled. Concerning alcohol, I went from being a home-brewing Christian to a raging prohibitionist, to an abstentionist, to now a moderationist. I also began a degree program at a college in ’99 that focused on psychology only to have my views on the sufficiency of Christ and his word forged through that time. Also my view on the atonement has been tweaked. I remember believing that the death of Christ made atonement possible for all. I believe this view to be erroneous now, being convinced by Scripture that Jesus, in a substitutionary manner satisfied God’s wrath for the elect on the cross, accomplishing complete redemption, and now in a point in time, he applies that redemption when he regenerates the sinner through the Holy Spirit. Doubtless there are others. Through all of this however, my commitment to the gospel has not wavered only intensified. A belief that Jesus is the exclusive Savior who holds himself out for forgiveness has always dominated my message since conversion. I find this quite encouraging.
Christians should be people of conviction, not of dogmatic personal preferences anchored to tradition, but of objectively revealed divine truth that forges theological conviction. So it is good to be changing and evaluating while growing more resolute in the promotion of Jesus’ gospel.
No doubt many of you could express similar sentiments. Thanks be to God for his abundant grace and commitment to transforming his children.
Have a great weekend.
Nebraska 20 OU 17
