Category Archives: Theology

HAGEE’S ERRORS ON ISRAEL (1)

Dispensationalism, Israel, Theology November 24, 2014 Comments: 12

HageeThis is Part 1 of a three part review of Hagee’s very confused, very popular book on Israel: John Hagee, In Defense of Israel: The Bible’s Mandate for Supporting the Jewish State (Lake Mary, Flo.: FrontLine, 2007).

This book was written by New York Times best-selling author John Hagee, pastor of a 19,000 member megachurch in San Antonio. It presents the argument that the Christian Church is biblically obligated to support the political state of Israel on the basis of its fulfillment of biblical prophecy (pp. 84-85) and for the well-being of America (p. 84). It is virtually a hagiography for the Jews which borders on Judeolatry. Hagee almost implies that the Jews and Israel can do no wrong, for he does (as we shall see) call upon Christians to support them as we do God himself: unconditionally.

As I begin this review I have two confessions to make: (1) I had never read a Hagee book before, and (2) I never will again. This work presents dispensationalism gone to seed. The fact that he is a widely popular, multi-million selling, and influential Christian writer demonstrates the tragedy that “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hos. 4:6). Continue reading →

EXILE THEOLOGY v. DOMINION THEOLOGY

Theology November 7, 2014 Comments: 9

Christian dominionPMT 2014-135 By Larry E. Ball (author: Blessed Is He Who Reads: A Primer on the Book of Revelation)

The battle between Exile Theology and Dominion Theology is important to understand. It is vital to notice that both sides quote the Bible. It’s just a matter of which passages are quoted.

For example, the exile crowd reminds us that the faithful are like Abraham who was a stranger and an alien (exile) upon the earth (Heb. 11:13). Christians must set their affections on the things above and not on the things on the earth (Col. 3:2). We are to pass our time as sojourners here on the earth (1 Pet. 1:17). “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rms. 8:18). Continue reading →

CURRENT WEAKNESS; FUTURE GLORY

Objections, Theology August 18, 2014 1 Comment

PMT 2014-099 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.Heaven

You have suffered long enough: this is my last article in a series on the question of suffering, the church, and postmillennialism. I have been dealing with the charge that God has called the church to suffer in this age, which would seem to undermine the postmillennial expectation. But postmillennialists affirm the reality of suffering — and even in the time of Christianity’s highest advance before Christ returns! How can this be?

We must recognize that even the very height of earthly, postmillennial glory pales in comparison to the “weight of glory” that is ours, and that stirs our deepest longings as sons of God (cf. Php 1:23). As recipients of the mysteries of the kingdom of God, Christians experience “the heightened form which our desire for this future [resurrection] state assumes. For it is not mere desire to obtain a new body, but specifically to obtain it as soon as possible” (cf. 2Co 5:1–10) (G. Vos, Redemptive History, 46). Continue reading →

IS THE CHURCH CALLED TO SUFFER?

Objections, Theology August 6, 2014 Comments: 3

PMT 2014-094 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.Weeping

Most non–postmillennial eschatologies argue that the church is called to endure suffering throughout the entirety of history. They argue that they are optimistic, in that the church has a hope for glory, though only beyond the present era and after the return of Christ. By this maneuver they attempt to discount charges of pessimism against their position, while simultaneously seeking to undermine the postmillennial system. If this is so, no room exists in the biblical view of the church for a long era of righteousness, peace, and prosperity.

In this brief series of articles I will be responding to the very widespread argument for the suffering-church motif. To set the table, let us first note many proponents of this motif:

William Hendriksen teaches as strongly as conceivable that the gospel age “will finally result in the complete destruction of the church as a mighty and influential organization for the spread of the Gospel. For, finally every tribe and people and tongue and nation will worship antichristian government.” (Hendriksen, More Than Conquerors, 178) Continue reading →

Solid Comfort from a Familiar Verse

Theology July 25, 2014 Leave a comment

F. Allan Story, Jr.
From New Horizons magazine of the OPC

Many pastors have heard, even frequently, “Pastor, we don’t need all this theology. Just tell us what to do.” I have a standard answer: “Sure. Rejoice always. In everything give thanks.”

These are biblical commands, but the point is that you can’t really do these things without theology. Continue reading →

TONGUES AND ESCHATOLOGY (7)

Theology June 9, 2014 Comments: 18

PMT 2014-069 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.Tongues 7

In this concluding article I will show that tongues have ceased. The evidence is found in the revelation of God, not the experience of man. And Scripture trumps experience.

1 Corinthians 13

First Corinthians 13:8-10 reads: “Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.” This passage, properly understood, points to the providential completion of the New Testament canon as that which renders tongues (and other revelatory gifts) inoperative. Tongues, prophecy, and knowledge are specifically designated as having a joint terminus: each will be rendered inoperative at some future date (1 Cor. 13:8). What affects one gift, will affect all three. Continue reading →

TONGUES AND ESCHATOLOGY (6)

AD 70, Israel, Preterism, Theology June 6, 2014 Comments: 10

PMT 2014-068 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.Tongues 6

Tongues have a peculiar relevance to Jewish unbelief in this regard.

Jewish judgment

In Acts 2 God attracts the attention of the Jews by tongues-speaking, after which Peter charges them with slaying the Lord of glory (vv. 22-24). The two-edged sword of curse falls upon these men, with the result that many are cut to the heart (Acts 2:37) and repent, thereby leaving apostate Judaism to become Christians (Acts 2:38-41). Peter cites and applies Joel’s prophecy as indicating the coming judgment:

But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.” (Acts 2:16-20)

Then he warns the Jews: “Be saved from this perverse generation” (Acts 2:40b). Continue reading →