Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 02:6 (Sep 1998)
Article: Progressive Dispensationalism: Is Christ Now on the Throne of David?—Part III
Author: Mal Couch

CTJ 2:6 (September 1998) p. 272

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

Mal Couch

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

Introduction & Review

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. They still claim there will be an historic, earthly rule in the future, however.

From their book Progressive Dispensationalism (Wheaton, IL: 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.1

But does Acts 2:30–36 really teach that Christ is now on David’s throne? Admittedly, the passage is tough to follow in the English structure, but by taking it apart in the Greek text, one can see that the verses are not claiming Jesus is now reigning as promised in the Davidic Covenant, either “spiritually”

CTJ 2:6 (September 1998) p. 273

or actually. Amillennialists wish to claim such so that they can believe the Church is the kingdom and all the millennial promises can then be allegorized! Those who hold a Progressive Dispensational persuasion also believe that Christ is now o...