Premillennialism: Primary or Peripheral -- By: William G. Bellshaw
Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 121:482 (Apr 1964)
Article: Premillennialism: Primary or Peripheral
Author: William G. Bellshaw
BSac 121:482 (Apr 64) p. 159
Premillennialism:
Primary or Peripheral
[William G. Bellshaw, Dean of the Faculty and Professor of New Testament, San Francisco Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary, San Francisco, California.]
Though a Christian cannot agree with many of the writings of Voltaire, there is at least one statement with which we can heartily agree. He once said, “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it.” This is especially sound advice in a day when everyone wants to express his own views but does not want the same privilege afforded to others who may look at things a little differently. Eschatology, or the doctrine of last things, has become a very prominent doctrine in a relatively short time. Not only are conservatives concerned about eschatology, but liberals are concerned about it, too. When there is a great deal of interest in a given subject, there is often a real difference of opinion among those who are interested in that subject. Conservatives find themselves in just such a situation today. Open discussion of some of these problems can only be beneficial. There are three topics around which this subject can be discussed: (1) The importance of the millennial question, (2) The importance of the tribulation question, and (3) The relative importance between the millennial question and the tribulation question.
The Importance of the Millennial Question
Recently an individual asked why all this “fuss” was going on about premillennialism. It was stated that it was such an inconsequential matter that it was certainly a great waste of time to “argue” about such a minor detail. “We should be more interested in getting out the Gospel than worrying about these trivialities.”
BSac 121:482 (Apr 64) p. 160
No doubt such terms as inconsequential, unimportant, and minor were labels which people hear some leaders and pastors use when referring to premillennialism. Is it right and Scriptural to use such terms to describe the millennial issue? We know that nothing revealed in the Word of God is unimportant and inconsequential. It would be a depreciation of the character and work of God to say that He decided something should be placed in the Bible which was inferior or inconsequential. In reality, this is not a problem for man to decide, since God has already answered it by giving to us His complete and final revelation. However, we do recognize that some things are more far-reaching in their implications than others. Does premillennialism come within this category? The answer is yes, because of the truths which are involved in this whole issue. Premillennialism affects so many other areas of theology that it must be considered basic and ...
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