Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 28:76 (Spring 2024)
Article: Discovering Dispensationalism: A Review Article
Author: James D. Quiggle

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Discovering Dispensationalism: A Review Article

James D. Quiggle

Discovering Dispensationalism: Tracing the Development of Dispensational Thought from the First to the Twenty-First Century edited by Cory M. Marsh and James I. Fazio. El Cajon, CA: SCS Press, 2023. 383 pp., cloth, $29.95.

Discovering Dispensationalism is an edited work by Dr. Cory Marsh & Dr. James Fazio, and published by SCS Press in 2023. The present review is a hearty recommendation of the book, as a worthy addition to the growing literature affirming the validity of dispensationalism as a biblical theology with a pedigree anchored in the history of the New Testament church. Every chapter makes a significant contribution to understanding dispensationalism as a historically valid (from the earliest days of the New Testament church) biblical theology that consistently uses the literal hermeneutic to develop solid biblical doctrine, and consistently teaches one way of salvation in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The chapter reviews of Discovering Dispensationalism are a personal journey and subjective review of the book. The chapter reviews were first published on the Facebook group, “Discovering Dispensationalism,” and have been lightly revised for this review article.

Chapter 1 is entitled “Correcting Age-Old Misconceptions.” One immediately notes the book is published by SCS (Southern California Seminary) Press, and the editors are professors at the seminary. The chapter’s author, Dr. Marsh, director of SCS Press, immediately explains why, “There is a current trend among academic publishers to marginalize dispensational scholarship” (p. 1). Marsh is indeed correct. As a result of this known prejudice, the book was from its inception intended as an SCS Press project, as successor to the 2017 publication Forged from Reformation. Not at all to disparage SCS Press, this book should have been gladly received by any number of well-known publishers. The book makes an important contribution to the academic discussion.

The introductory chapter to Discovering Dispensationalism begins by addressing non-evasively and uncompromisingly the unjustified criticisms of dispensationalism as a bona fide biblical theology. The chapter briefly discusses and refutes the distortions, lies, and ignorance of

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dispensationalism’s critics, especially grievous when set in contrast to the many dispensationalists who have time and again demonstrated the theology is based upon a solid historical and biblical foundation, as the author argued, and as this work’s several contributors abundantly prove. The book’s subtitle is well justified by its conte...