 Dispensationalism
The Vision
Unless otherwise noted, |
Hey Moon Dog, I have a joke for you. You and I always enjoyed a good laugh together, (even if it was at the other's expense!) Well, the joke goes like this: One day a little boy was walking down the road pulling a wagon full of newborn puppies behind him. A Baptist pastor noticing this intercepted the miniature parade and asked the kid what kind of puppies were in tow. "Why, they are dispensationists," the boy replied. This revelation both surprised and pleased the minister so much that even though it did not fit anywhere in his sermon the following Lord's Day, he still worked it in. Of course the congregation loved it. The response was a big laugh mixed with resounding "Amens!" Several weeks later, the pastor recognized the same boy and wagon coming down the sidewalk. Only now, the pups were considerably bigger and doing their best to climb out of the wagon as it rattled along. Once again the minister approached the boy. He just had to hear the tyke report again what special breed of dog he was carting around. "Excuse me son," called the minister, all smiles anticipating the tot's reply, "could you tell me again what kind of pups you have there?" "Well," reported the lad, "they are covenantal, reformed, classical apologetical, post-millennial, Presbyterians." The jaw of the credo-baptizer fell open. "What!" cried the reverend, "I thought you said those puppies were Dispensationalists?" "Oh they were," answered the boy. "But they have their eyes open now!" Much has changed since the mid 70's when Joe Cool and the BMOC's had their mettle tested at that little Baptist college in Texas. I will never forget those days. You and I, along Open with Juice, Dobie, Flannagan and the rest of the gang lived so passionately for the cause of Christ that we thought we would explode. Our love and respect for the Scriptures was off the charts. Our zeal for evangelism caused every encounter with a pagan to become a divine appointment. Our love for each other transcended bloodlines. We became brothers. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. Every trial and triumph, all the tears and laughter, all the serious hilarity that we experienced, providentially, has made me the man I am today. You, brother, were a tool in the hand of God. I am still the same person I was back then. But my understanding of theology is different. And that has made all the difference in where I am today. I now belong to a denomination that we used to suspect was just another variation of Roman Catholicism. And therefore, hell bound. But in reality, they have been the ones who have carried the torch of Truth higher than anyone else has all these years. There is so much I wish I could share with you. Compared to what we were taught, there is so much more. One of the biggest changes that I have experienced is the fact that the guilt is gone. Now that I understand God's covenant with me and the significance of the imputation of Christ's perfect life to my account, I am free from the dark cloud of always wondering if I am doing enough to please God. Jesus, as a man, pleased the Father in every way and I got credit for it. I have displeased God in every way imaginable, and Christ has borne the blame. Such knowledge is as liberating as it is humbling. Another dynamic of Reformed theology is our eschatology isn't fatalistic. We do not believe that the Second Coming of Christ will be a rescue mission. Our outlook is more Joshua the Conqueror than Lindsey the Alarmist. The biblical emphasis is on Jesus coming back for His bride more than on rescuing the few besieged soldiers that are left. Then there is the whole area of church history that is basically ignored. The
fact is, historically, there is not much that separates us. The first Baptists
constructed the London Baptist Confession in 1689. They basically embraced the
same doctrines that Presbyterians did then and do now. In fact, your forefathers
were Reformed and not in the least dispensational. Imagine my surprise when
I found out that we were all cut from the same fabric. Imagine my sorrow when
I discovered how far present Baptist belief and practice has drifted from the
pure faith. They have slowly been manipulated and conformed to an image that
cannot be defended or defined biblically, about most of which they are unconscious.
They have more in common with Charismatics, Seventh Day Adventists, and Pentecostals
than they do with their brothers, the I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed those days of physical and spiritual adolescence that bonded us together. Cruising around in that suped up navy blue Camaro of yours listening to Sammy Hall on the 8-track. Those prayer vigils we held in the dorm at night, seeking the face of God. The afternoons we preached on street corners, our voices growing hoarse as we poured out our hearts to people to come to know the Savior. The innumerable times we talked about all that was important. Iron sharpening iron, heart to heart. This, Moon Dog, is one of those times. I wish it were face to face. For you are one of the best friends I have ever had. And as your friend, I only want the best for you. Bro honor, Joe Cool |
