Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 02:5 (Jun 1998)
Article: Does Progressive Dispensationalism Teach A Posttribulational Rapture?—Part I
Author: John Brumett

CTJ 2:5 (June 1998) p. 191

Does Progressive Dispensationalism Teach A
Posttribulational Rapture?—Part I

John Brumett

Ph. D. / Prophetic Studies Student
Tyndale Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX

Introduction

In the last few years a movement has developed called Progressive Dispensationalism.1 This movement has sought to redefine some of the distinctive features of traditional dispensationalism. There are many though, who believe that progressive dispensationalism goes too far in all the changes that are made to traditional dispensationalism. One of these modifications that will be presented in this paper is—PD’s theology, leaning toward a posttribulational rapture.

The Nature of the Church Redefined

Progressive dispensationalists define the Church significantly different than traditional dispensationalist have done. This is done in at least seven ways: 1) The concept of the church is seen as a remnant instead of a body; 2) The “body of Christ” concept is not the defining entity of the church; 3) The baptism of the Holy Spirit is viewed differently and is not the defining work of the church; 4) The view of one people of God instead of two; 5) The mystery nature of the Church is minimized and redefined; 6) The church is the kingdom in this dispensation (Matt. 13); 7) The Church fulfills Israel’s New Covenant as well as the Davidic and Abrahamic covenants in an inaugurated way.

The Concept of the Church as a Remnant Instead of a Body

Progressive dispensationalists believe that, “The Church=Believing Jews and Gentiles (a remnant of Israel and the Gentile Nations)”2 in this dispensation as opposed to the traditional belief that the Church=believing Jews and Gentiles united together by the baptism of the Holy Spirit in one

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body as a living organism.

Believing that the Church is just a remnant of saved Jews and Gentiles in this dispensation destroys the scriptural distinction between the Church and Israel. This leaves one wondering, what distinguishes them from saved Jews and saved Gentiles in the tribulation period? Traditional dispensationalists have believed that God is dealing uniquely with the Church, which is Jew and Gentile in one body of Christ, in this dispensation from Pentecost to the time of the rapture. After the rapture, God will pick up His program with the nation Israel, in the final seventieth week, in dealing mainly with Jews, in fulfilling Israel’s program as listed in Daniel. The Church has no part of that program; however, the progressive vi...