Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 02:4 (Mar 1998)
Article: Progressive Dispensationalism: Is Christ Now on the Throne of David?—Part I
Author: Mal Couch

CTJ 2:4 (March 1998) p. 32

Progressive Dispensationalism: Is Christ Now on the Throne of David?—Part I

Mal Couch

President and Professor of Theology & Languages
Tyndale Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX

Introduction

One of the major tenets of Progressive Dispensationalism is that Jesus is now occupying David’s throne spiritually in heaven. However, the Bible is clear that, when the throne of David is occupied in the future by Jesus, this will be the only fulfillment of the prophecy historically (i.e., that the Messiah will reign on David’s Throne; Luke 1: 31–33). Traditional Dispensationalists and those consistent with their hermeneutics argue that Jesus, presently seated on the Throne of His Father, is not reigning on David’s throne. Progressive Dispensationalists, such as Craig Blaising and Darrell Bock, argue that Christ is now on David’s throne and reigning spiritually over a spiritual kingdom. Though they still claim there will be an historic, earthly rule in the future.

From their book Progressive Dispensationalism (Wheaton: Bridge Point, 1993), Blaising and Bock write:

Every New Testament description of the present throne of Jesus is drawn from Davidic covenant promises. Repeatedly, the New Testament declares that He is enthroned at the right hand of God in fulfillment of the promise given in Psalm 110:1. This is a Davidic promise; it is the son of David who fulfills it. In Acts 2:30–36, the resurrection, ascension, and seating of Christ in heaven at the right hand of God (Ps. 110:1) are presented in light of the prediction “that God had sworn to him [David] with an oath to seat one of his descendants upon his throne” (Acts 2:30). No other throne is discussed in this text except the Davidic throne.

New Testament descriptions of this enthronement at the right hand of God are often filled with other Davidic features such as being exalted above all other kings, all rule, and all authority. Having all his enemies subjected to him or in some texts waiting to have all things subjected to him are both descriptions drawn from Davidic promises. The title Son of God also appears quite often in these texts and is explicitly linked to the Davidic promise of divine Sonship.1

CTJ 2:4 (March 1998) p. 33

[Jesus’] present kingship is further elaborated in Hebrews in terms of its Melchizedekian priestly office and function, another Davidic covenant promise (the oath sworn ...