March 2014
Dispensationalism
You can find the conference materials for the 2014 Chafer Theological Seminary annual Pastor's conference here. The theme for the 2014 conference was Dispensationalism.
Much controversy has been stirred up regarding dispensationalism since John Nelson Darby first systematized this theology. Since the early 19th century, though, millions of faithful believers have learned to “rightly divide” the Word of Truth by learning to consistently apply principles of literal interpretation to the Scripture. The result has made it clear that God has a distinct plan for Israel and a distinct plan for the Church. At this conference we learned about the history of dispensationalism, theological distinctives of dispensationalism, and implications of dispensationalism for our understanding of God’s Word.
The speakers at this year’s conference spent decades of study researching critical issues related to dispensational theology. We hope that God will give you fresh insight into the understanding and application of His Word in your life through the study of these topics.
The conference was hosted by West Houston Bible Church March 10-12, 2014. The speakers at the conference included Keynote Speaker Elliott Johnson, as well as daytime speakers Bruce Baker, Charles Clough, Christopher Cone, Tommy Ice, Ray Mondragon, Mike Stallard, and Andy Woods. The conference kick-off speaker was Robert Dean.
The conference DVDs are available here or here.
Dr, Dean has put together a suggested reading list on Dispensationalism. Click here to download the document.
Click here to view the historical pictures presented by Paul Schmidtbleicher featuring George Meisinger.
To view all video Bible studies in the 2014 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference series, click here (Vimeo) or here (YouTube).
Sunday, March 09, 2014
by Robert Dean
Series: 2014 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 41 mins 11 secs
Dr. Robert Dean - Dispensationalism: Why Should I Care? 2014 Chafer Theological Seminary Pastors' Conference. March 9, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
by Elliott Johnson
Series: 2014 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 1 hr 12 mins 4 secs
We in the Dispensational tradition have received a rich heritage in Bible Exposition, yet in recent year’s evangelicalism as a whole has not acknowledged its contribution. Thus it is my desire to develop the foundation laid and in so doing highlight features in biblical interpretation that will enhance an expository ministry.
Lewis Sperry Chafer produced a classic multivolume Dispensational systematic theology. Building upon what is distinctive, I want to propose a narrative form of this biblical theology. It is my conviction that a historic-narrative form is to be preferred over the systematic form to highlight what is distinctive in dispensationalism. That distinctive contribution rests in God’s progressive revelation. As God spoke creation into existence, so God speaks to his chosen partners in history as his goals are fulfilled in the progress of revelation. The narrative features God’s governance through his Word and his chosen stewards who manage his revelation in the sequence of dispensations.
Monday, March 10, 2014
by Tommy Ice
Series: 2014 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 1 hr 24 mins 39 secs
Dispensationalism is a system of theology (not a hermeneutical approach) that believes the Bible teaches God’s single plan for history is accomplished through Israel and the church for the purpose of His glorification. This theology arises from a consistent use of the grammatical-historical hermeneutic, also known as literal interpretation. While salvation of mankind is of extreme importance, it is accomplished within the broader purpose of the glorification of God, which is demonstrated through the various administrations of dispensational arrangements of history and also encompasses the angelic realm. Jesus Christ is the hero of history by leaving heaven and humbling Himself as a Man, winning the victory at the cross, rising from the dead, ascending to heaven, taking His bride at the Rapture, returning triumphantly at the Second Coming, and reigning for a thousand years from Jerusalem. Traditional dispensationalism attempts to systematize biblical teaching for the purpose of glorifying God through Jesus Christ. History is seen as a progression of ages in which God tests mankind, man always fails, and God judges humanity, but always provides a grace to the elect.
Monday, March 10, 2014
by Elliott Johnson
Passage: Psalm 8
Series: 2014 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 1 hr 38 mins 14 secs
A narrative biblical theology necessarily features the glory of God. From the outset of Israel’s history, without any direct appearance of God (Deut. 5:4, 5; Exod. 33:18-23), his glory proceeded from him to appear in various expressions (Heb. 1:1). As an example, Moses stood in the presence of God’s glory when he saw the burning bush and spoke with God (Exod. 3:1-19). At the end, God’s glory most vividly and dramatically appeared in the First Advent (Heb. 1:2) and will appear in the Second Advent of the Son of God. Ryrie identified the revelation as a sine qua non of Dispensationalism yet called it “a rather technical matter.” This is the case because all biblical theologies feature God and his glory. But Ryrie’s viewpoint more specifically related to “the ultimate purpose of God” in biblical history. “The Bible itself clearly teaches that salvation, important and wonderful as it is, is not an end in itself, but is rather a means to the end of glorifying God (Eph. 1:6, 12, 14).” John F. Walvoord shared the same conviction: “The larger purpose of God is the manifestation of His own glory. To this end, each dispensation, each successive revelation of God’s plan for the ages, His dealing with the non-elect as well as the elect . . . combine to manifest divine glory.” Thus Dispensationalism is a narrative biblical theology in which God determines to ultimately reveal his glory for the good of those he chooses, for those who love him. Thus the title we’ve chosen for this overall narrative theology is “Drawn by God’s Glory.”
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
by Charles Clough
Series: 2014 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 1 hr 13 mins 21 secs
Readers of this paper should understand that it builds upon more extensive, previously published material that can only be briefly cited here. Christians today, particularly in the United States, are facing a rapidly-growing, comprehensive antagonism by pagan culture as that culture ever more consistently manifests itself through the public policies of all levels of civil government from local to federal. This antagonism challenges Christian family authority in education, Christian vocational freedom in public business and health care, Christian counseling in pastoral care (both civilian and military), Christian scholarship in academia and Christian political freedom in public policy decisions. Because it is the main tool involved, this paper explores the degenerate state of current public discourse in search of an effective overall strategy of response. It concludes that Christians must first become aware of how the suppression dynamic Paul spoke of in Romans 1:18-32 has worked out today in Western civilization. It further points out that simultaneously with the truncated ability of public discourse to handle fundamental truths of reality, truth, and conduct, there is a surreptitious and gradual establishment of a state secular religion that seeks to trump God's revelation. Two strategies to counter these threats are discussed, one aimed at challenging so-called "reasonable" public discussion and the other aimed at strengthening opposition to the state's expanding religious claims.
For Christians committed to a literal, grammatical, historical hermeneutic (and thereby a dispensational perspective) the growing pagan antagonism is accompanied by criticism from covenant, post-millennial, theonomic brethren that dispensational theology is largely responsible for Christian impotency in the face of such sociopolitical antagonism. Criticism from these fellow believers charges that our view necessarily leads to defeatism, a purposeless Church age, and irresponsible passivity toward the challenges of earthly life. This paper answers those criticisms by pointing out specific features of dispensational ecclesiology and eschatology that guard the primacy of evangelism and missions while simultaneously offering detailed sociopolitical wisdom for Christian citizens. Included is an example of applying this wisdom to the reformation of Christian wedding services in those states that have delegitimized Christian marriage.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
by Terry Brown
Series: 2014 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 28 mins 12 secs
Demonstration of Logos Bible Software by Logos representative Terry Brown
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
by Mike Stallard
Series: 2014 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 58 mins 56 secs
Mike Stallard - The Life and Contribution of Arno C. Gaebelein presented at 2014 Chafer Theological Seminary Pastors' Conference
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
by Tommy Ice
Series: 2014 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 1 hr 14 mins 31 secs
Dispensationalism is a system of theology (not a hermeneutical approach) that believes the Bible teaches God’s single plan for history is accomplished through Israel and the church for the purpose of His glorification. This theology arises from a consistent use of the grammatical-historical hermeneutic, also known as literal interpretation. While salvation of mankind is of extreme importance, it is accomplished within the broader purpose of the glorification of God, which is demonstrated through the various administrations of dispensational arrangements of history and also encompasses the angelic realm. Jesus Christ is the hero of history by leaving heaven and humbling Himself as a Man, winning the victory at the cross, rising from the dead, ascending to heaven, taking His bride at the Rapture, returning triumphantly at the Second Coming, and reigning for a thousand years from Jerusalem. Traditional dispensationalism attempts to systematize biblical teaching for the purpose of glorifying God through Jesus Christ. History is seen as a progression of ages in which God tests mankind, man always fails, and God judges humanity, but always provides a grace to the elect.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
by Mike Stallard
Series: 2014 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 55 mins 41 secs
Arno C. Gaebelein was a leading fundamental, dispensational Bible teacher in the early half of the twentieth century. He served as one of the associate editors of the Scofield Reference Bible and left us thousands of pages of material in his writings. The theological content of these many writings emphasized three things: inspiration of the Bible, the centrality of Christ at a personal level, and eschatological issues. It is fairly easy to determine a precise statement of the central interpretive motif or integrating idea in Gaebelein’s thought. Bible inspiration can be ruled out simply because it does not integrate the content of Gaebelein’s theology although it does provide a hermeneutical basis. The centrality of Christ is clearly stated. However, the sheer weight of discussion of eschatology, with its various focuses, speaks as forcefully as many direct statements. Nonetheless, it is possible to merge the theological statements about the centrality of Christ with eschatology to produce one statement clarifying the integrating theme of Gaebelein’s theology. This can be done through the concept of prophetic hope which finds its fulfillment in the Second Coming of Christ. Thus, the central interpretive motif of Gaebelein’s theological formulations can be stated as prophetic hope centered in the personal Second Coming of Jesus Christ. That this theme truly integrates Gaebelein’s theological system will be seen by an examination of the individual and multiple expressions of prophetic hope which he outlined. However, it may be possible to see in these expressions, taken as a whole, the idea of a multi-faceted program of creation and redemption centered in Christ and leading to the glory of God. That is, unity from diversity can be seen in the light of this doxological purpose to biblical history as the greatness of our sovereign God is displayed.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
by Charles Clough
Series: 2014 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference
Duration: 53 mins 56 secs
The Creation-Link between Our Bodies and Our Food Supply (The importance of correct food choices in the prevention and healing of disease) Why do requests for dealing with health concerns so often dominate our church prayer lists? What can we do to lessen our dependence upon an increasingly socialized health care system? What is the role food plays in the reversal and prevention of auto-immune diseases such as arthritis, M.S., Parkinson's, dementia and other maladies? These questions will be addressed by Charles Clough who will frame the presentation from Scriptural considerations, and Sherri Frost who will provide some practical things we can do to optimize our use of the Creator's foods. As an MD who personally recovered from crippling MS, Dr. Terry Wahls has said, "We can choose a health-promoting or a health-destroying diet. It is up to us to decide if we're going to eat for optimal health."
