Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 04:13 (Dec 2000)
Article: Why Dispensationalism Is Being Reputiated And Preterism Is Being Embraced
Author: Mal Couch

CTJ 4:13 (December 2000) p. 253

Why Dispensationalism Is Being Reputiated And Preterism Is Being Embraced

Mal Couch

For sometime now I’ve been noticing that many who say they once were dispensationalists are now claiming to be Reformed in their theology. At many of our most well-known evangelical seminaries, some graduates are moving into the Covenant and Reformed camp. At one highly visible seminary, that was at one time at least premillennial, they now hire Westminster graduates.

The main issues, that those changing sides seem to be rejecting, have to do with prophecy, and the difference between the Church and Israel. As well, many of these who were once dispensationalists repudiate the dispensational approach to Bible history and latch hold of the Covenant scheme of systematic theology. Along with these issues, and with all the conviction they can muster, they now say that Christ’s Second Coming took place spiritually in A. D. 70. This of course is preterism, but in fairness, not all who have changed their system of interpretation go this far.

Attempting to get to the bottom of why some have changed their minds, I’ve held long discussions with some of the friends and students of this ministry. Many of our students and friends have acquaintances who have jumped ship. One might think that those who have become Reformed did it on the basis of some great theological enlightenment. But this doesn’t seem to be the case. Below are some observations and apparent reasons that seem to come to the surface, in discussions with those who are now Reformed:

1. “Reformed teachers, such as R. C. Sproul, appear to be classier and deep in the way they preach.”
2. “I was raised as a dispensationalist but was never taught what it all really meant.”

CTJ 4:13 (December 2000) p. 254

1. “Reformed teachers seem to speak more on holiness, grace, and the sovereignty of God than dispensationalists.”
2. “I’m tired of always hearing about the Jewish people and their return to the land.”
3. “Reformed teachers are in the Reformed tradition of Calvin and Knox, and this shows a great historical connection that I like.”
4. “There seems to be some convincing evidence that Christ came back in A. D. 70 and therefore prophecy won’t come to pass as stated by dispensationalists.”
5. “Dispensationalists are Armenian and Pentecostal in their theology, aren’t they?”

All of the above arguments against dispensationalism have nothing to do with the real issues. Those issues have to do with the Word of God and its message, or messages. And, the related issue has to do with how we unlock the Scriptures in order to understand the messages and what they are saying to us.

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