Journal: Journal of Ministry and Theology
Volume: JMAT 24:1 (Spring 2020)
Article: Dispensational Thought As Motivation For Social Activism Among Early Plymouth Brethren
Author: James I. Fazio

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Dispensational Thought As Motivation For Social Activism Among Early Plymouth Brethren

James I. Fazio

Abstract: The goal of this paper is to highlight the influence of dispensational thought in motivating early Plymouth Brethren toward cross-cultural missionary outreach and social activism. This will be achieved by looking at some of the movement’s founding members: Anthony Norris Groves (1795–1853), Edward Cronin (1801–1882), and John Parnell (1805–1883), along with a handful of other early influences such as James Deck (1807–1884), George Müller (1805–1898), and Henry Craik (1805–1866). Despite their orientation towards religious separatism from the world and from other Christians outside of their closed community, the Plymouth Brethren have earned a reputation for being among the most outward reaching affinity groups within Christianity. This paper will demonstrate how dispensational thought energized this orientation among early Plymouth Brethren.

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Introduction

Over the past two centuries, the community of Christians known as the Plymouth Brethren have been known for several traits that stem from a strict adherence to a theologically conservative view of Scripture’s authority and sufficiency as understood through a literalistic interpretation. This approach to Scripture has resulted in an orientation that could be generally described as evangelical, if not fundamentalist

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with several nuances, including a primitivist ecclesiology that maintains a low church orientation, a premillennial eschatology that is consistent with a dispensational understanding of Scripture, and a Calvinistic soteriology that emphasizes separatism from the world and other corrupting influences. It may also be added that the Brethren have become as well defined by what they stand against as what they stand for. In this way, they may be well characterized as anti-denominational, anti-creedal, anti-liturgical, and anti-clerical. Many of these named qualities are commonly recognized by those who possess even a scant familiarity with those who identify with the label Brethren. What is less immediately recognized is that among the most prominent contributions made by this community of dispensational-minded believers is the indelible mark they have left on the developing world through their unrivaled efforts in international and cross-cultural missionary outreach and a distinct zeal for social activism.

Some may be aware of the itinerate ministry of John Nelson Darby (1800–1882) in Switzerland, throughout Europe, and in North America, including his original translation work of the Hebrew and Greek Testaments into English, French, and German. L...