Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 08:24 (Aug 2004)
Article: Systematic Theology and Premillennialism
Author: Charles H. Ray

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CTJ 8:24 (August 2004) p. 165

Systematic Theology and Premillennialism

Charles H. Ray

Associate Editor
The Conservative Theological Journal

When we hear the words “dispensational premillennialism,” the first branch of systematic theology that comes to mind is eschatology. Ecclesiology soon follows. Beyond that, we don’t see much of a connection.

Actually, premillennialism touches on almost every major branch of systematic theology to one degree or another. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the significance of this pervasive influence, and, by contrast, the perverting influence of amillennialism and postmillennialism.1

Christology

Premillennialism has little disagreement with amillennialism and postmillennialism in the area of Christology. All hold to the full deity of Christ and the full humanity of Christ, for example. Differences surface in the matter of Jesus’ role as the Davidic King.

The normal understanding of passages such as Luke 1:32 is that Jesus will sit on a literal throne in Jerusalem someday: “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.” Amillennialists don’t see it that way.

Amillennialist Loius Berkhof spends several pages in his Systematic Theology speaking about the Kingdom of Christ (406–411),

CTJ 8:24 (August 2004) p. 166

but says nothing about the Davidic Covenant except its eternality.2 “But though He was permitted to rule as Mediator even before His incarnation, He did not publicly and formally assume His throne and inaugurate His spiritual kingdom until the time of His ascension and elevation at the right hand of God, Acts 2:29–36; Phil. 2:5–11.”3 Thus, Berkhof believes Jesus is now on David’s throne.

Postmillennialist Charles Hodge agrees and states that the “Jews were not disappointed in the general impression made on their minds by the predictions relating to the Messiah. It was only in the explanation of details that they failed. The Messiah was a king; He did sit upon the throne of David, but not in the way in which they expected …”4

Pneumatology

Premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism do not share the same understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit. Dispensationalists be...

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