Why I am a dispensationalist with a small "d"

Thus in what I am about to say about being a dispensationalist I am being as self-reflective as I can. I know that what I see is not all that there is to see. I have been in a theological environment for over twenty years. I have studied, heard, read and discussed what other traditions hold. I see things in other traditions that resonate with Biblical truth, but I also have been associated with the dispensational tradition all my Christian life. I am aware that dispensationalism seems unusually skilled in bringing out strong reactions both for and against it. I am a dispensationalist with a small ad" in part because I believe that dispensationalism possesses several important Biblical emphases. But I also know that no tradition sees it all, and so my pursuit of the truth in the community of faith should remain interactive, both positively and negatively, with other traditions. In saying what I do about dispensationalism I will make few comparisons to those other traditions, which also may have much to say to us Biblically. I have found dispensationalism beneficial in understanding what God is about in the world and with me.

Before explaining why I am a dispensationalist, however, I need to take some time to discuss the question raised by some that my expression of dispensationalism is really covenant premillennialism. It is an important question that deserves a detailed response and explains why I am a dispensationalist, why it is with a small ad," and why we must be careful how we classify one another's views.

III. OVERVIEW

I cover my survey of dispensationalism in four steps. First, I address the issue of covenant premillennialism and hermeneutics. Those who hesitate to accept a claim that one can be a progressive and a dispensationalist have suggested that a progressive's reading of the text is either a covenant hermeneutic or reflects covenant premillennialism.3 I also want to make some important observations about how we label people in the process.

The second section treats the strengths and contributions to theology that have come to the Church from dispensationalism.

Third, I consider emerging new themes and emphases in the tradition that also make associating with dispensationalist dialogue beneficial. Here I speak with the glasses of a progressive, but I think the issues raised are of interest and importance to us all.

Last, I consider the potential weaknesses and pitfalls of our tradition, where strengths can get dispensationalism into trouble if we do not stay balanced in how we see ourselves.

IV. A COVENANT PREMILLENARIAN?

Why would a progressive dispensationalist claim to be a dispensationalist at all? Why not just become a covenant premillenarian? Two critiques of progressive dispensationalism require treatment under this topic: (1) the suggestion that complementary hermeneutic is Laddian, and (2) the way progressives have challenged the phrase "literal hermeneutics."

Many have suggested that the hermeneutics used in progressive dispensationalism is Laddian, or a reflection of what has come to be known as covenant premillennialism. Elliott Johnson was the first persion I heard raise this connection to George Ladd.4 It has been repeated numerous times since.