A Fresh Look At Darrell Bock’s Interpretation Concerning Peter’s Use Of Joel 2 In Acts 2 With Regard To Enactment Of The New Covenant -- By: Timothy L. Decker

Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 14:42 (Aug 2010)
Article: A Fresh Look At Darrell Bock’s Interpretation Concerning Peter’s Use Of Joel 2 In Acts 2 With Regard To Enactment Of The New Covenant
Author: Timothy L. Decker


A Fresh Look At Darrell Bock’s Interpretation Concerning Peter’s Use Of Joel 2 In Acts 2 With Regard To Enactment Of The New Covenant

Timothy L. Decker

* Timothy L. Decker, M.A., pastor, New Hope Baptist Church, Beaufort, North Carolina; and, Ph.D. student, Piedmont Baptist Graduate School, Winston Salem, North Carolina

It has been seventeen years since “the search for definition” officially began in a published book format for what is now known as progressive dispensationalism.1 Some might argue that the search is still ongoing, but what is certain is that the ripple effects of Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church and Progressive Dispensationalism have been felt throughout evangelicalism and the academic institutions therein.2

One might ask why a theological concept proposed from a chapter in a book published seventeen years ago is being re-examined. It is the contention of this author that a system, which is very logical in its construction, albeit flawed in its final results, can only be fully exposed by returning to the foundation of the system. If the foundation is wrong, then the logical construction built upon it will also be wrong. It is at the foundation of progressive dispensationalism that the primary error is uncovered. In this case, the foundation is a matter of hermeneutics.

In many different published writings, Darrell L. Bock sought to prove or discuss a current Davidic reign in an “already” form of the Messianic kingdom.3 To do this, he sought to show that the Bible speaks of Christ enacting His messianic authority, which by default implies a Davidic rule. This messianic authority to which is referred is, but not exclusively, the

Messiah enacting New Covenant fulfillment upon the church. Instead of militating the view of a current reign of Jesus on a throne (Davidic or otherwise) or an “already” kingdom, it might be more prudent to examine and refute the foundation which has resulted in such a construction as a current Davidic reign during the church age within a dispensational system. To do this, one must take a fresh look at Bock’s chapter, “The Reign of the Lord Christ,” in Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church.

The Present Issue

Unquestionably, Pentecost of Acts 2 was a monumental day in human history, redemptive and otherwise. It marks the beginning of the Church as well as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit among other pneumatological blessings. Peter, in...

You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe
visitor : : uid: ()