From The Editor’s Desk -- By: Mark McGinniss

Journal: Journal of Ministry and Theology
Volume: JMAT 22:1 (Spring 2018)
Article: From The Editor’s Desk
Author: Mark McGinniss


From The Editor’s Desk

Mark McGinniss

Dear Reader,

It is my pleasure to devote this spring issue of the JMAT to the papers that were presented at the Council for Dispensational Hermeneutics (CDH) by traditional dispensationalists from across the country. CDH was hosted by Baptist Bible Seminary at Clarks Summit University on September 13–14, 2017. This year’s theme covered Charles Ryrie’s third point of his dispensational sine qua non, the glory of God. I believe that your mind and soul will be enriched by these presentations.

To provide a background for the work and purpose of the CHD, I sat down with my good friend and CDH founder and director, Dr. Mike Stallard.

Mark: What was your vision for CDH when you founded it 10 years ago?

Mike: My motivation for starting CDH was to establish a forum where traditional dispensationalists could meet together to discuss issues of hermeneutics and theological method. I left the 2007 Evangelical Theological Society meeting with the desire to explore topics related to dispensationalism further with like-minded pastors and theologians. My vision was to establish a forum where we could converse about the issues in an interactive way.

Mark: Why was the “Glory of God” the Council’s topic for this year?

Mike: We have had several topics since our first year in 2008. The new covenant discussion in 2009 was our best-attended council. During the years of 2015–17, the Steering Committee decided to focus on the three facets often associated with Charles Ryrie’s sine qua non as a definition of dispensationalism: (1) distinction between Israel and the church, (2) consistent literal interpretation, and (3) the doxological unifying theme of the Bible. This year’s topic was the third point on the glory of God.

Mark: What issues are important for dispensationalists today?

Mike: The Council investigates hermeneutics, exegetical method, and the way we link passages from one part of the Bible to another. We value both the development of the argument as well as its presentation. That is, we want to effectively respond to newer views such as new covenant theology and progressive covenantalism. Additionally, it is important to stay informed with developments related to traditional covenant theology. Overall, we want to refine our traditional dispensational arguments, ensuring that our points are grounded within biblical theology and that they advance the cause of inductive Bible study.

Mark: What is your vision for CDH for t...

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