THE MINISTERIAL FORUM

EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION Fall 2007 VOL. 17 NO. 1

INERRANCY, HERMENEUTICS AND ESCHATOLOGY A Report of the 2007 Midwinter Ministerial Conference Introduction

Greg Strand of the central purposes of this confer - and Professor of , EFCA Director of Biblical ence was to help people understand delivered the message on the Theology and Credentialing these diverse views within premillen - hermeneutics of Amillennialism. Minneapolis, MN nialism and the hermeneutical princi - An important historical piece in ples that undergird those positions. this eschatological discussion is the n January 24-26, 2007 over 400 Only through comparison and con - role Dr. Moo played while teaching at pastors and church leaders of the trast could we make an accurate com - TEDS. During his early days, he was OEFCA met at Faith Missionary parison with a non-premillennial one of the presenters who addressed Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, to con - view (in this case, amillennialism) to the question of the tribulation during sider the topic "Inerrancy, Eschatol - consider what the implications would the 1981 Mid-Winter Ministerial. He ogy and Hermeneutics." be for this recommended revision in taught and defended the historic pre - our Statement of Faith. millennial, post-tribulation position Why This Theme? along with the hermeneutical princi - Our Speakers ples undergirding the position. This In our discussions of the Draft premillennial, post-tribulational posi - Revisions of our Statement of Faith Four speakers were invited to rep - tion was affirmed in 1977 by the Com - that the EFCA Board of Directors had resent four eschatological positions. mittee on Ministerial Standing, and submitted for consideration and dis - Our first two speakers were profes - Moo, with this position, was granted cussion in 2005, one of the most fre - sors from Dallas Theological Semi - tenure by the Conference in 1985. quently asked questions was How nary. Dr. Elliot Johnson, Senior Pro - Summaries would the deletion of premillennial - fessor of Bible Exposition, addressed ism affect our biblical hermeneutic? the hermeneutics of Dispensational - This conference was designed to ism. He was joined by Dr. Darrell In what follows you will read address that question. Bock, Research Professor of New Tes - summaries of the four presentations With the decision in 1977 to tament Studies and Professor of Spiri - written by EFCA Ministerial mem - broaden the meaning of "imminency" tual Development and Culture, who bers. Our summarizers do not interact in our Statement of Faith to include expounded the hermeneutics of Pro - or assess strengths or weaknesses of the pre-, mid-, and post-tribulational gressive Dispensationalism. These the various positions. We attempted positions within , lecturers were joined by two profes - to reflect as accurately and objectively various approaches have developed sors from Wheaton College. Dr. Dou - as possible the words of the presenters within the Free Church to important glas Moo, Blanchard Professor of as they addressed the topic assigned questions like the place of the nation New Testament, elucidated the to them. In a final, concluding piece, of Israel in the purposes of God and hermeneutics of Historic Premillenni - our Ministerial Forum editor will cap - how that impacts our understanding alism. Finally, Dr. Greg Beale, Ken - ture the highlights of our QuestioIn of the Old Testament as a whole. One neth Wessner Chair of Biblical Studies and Answer time with the speakers. THE HERMENEUTICS OF TRADITIONAL DISPENSATIONALISM

Dr. Elliot E. Johnson not overcome the plan that was intro - lives in complete obedience to the Summary by Paul Schliep duced at creation. The dispensations Law. According to Rom. 10:4, Jesus is Director of Administration and have nothing to do with ways of sal - the end of the Law, both as the goal to Credentialing, EFCA West vation. Salvation is tied to the restor - which the Law was directed and as ing of God’s purpose. Being saved by the termination of the Law because lliot Johnson began his presenta- grace through faith as a gift was true He has met the demands of the Law. tion by identifying the hermeneutic of Adam, it is true today and it will be The third stage is the Dispensation E of Dispensational theology as the true into the future. of the Gospel. This stage is recorded “plain sense reading” of the Scrip - Dispensationalism's in Acts and the Epistles and centers tures. He referred to this as a literal around what Jesus’ rule is today. hermeneutic. This literal hermeneutic Four Stages Johnson believes that the primary provides for the successful, contextu - question for an interpreter is, “Is the al interpretation of the textual details Johnson contended that there are meaning of the Hebrew Bible altered in the exegesis and exposition of any four stages, or dispensations, that when interpreted as a Christian Old text. cover Genesis 4 through Revelation. Testament?” Traditional Dispensa - The doctrinal statement of Dallas These four stages each involve a new tionalism would answer “no.” The Theological Seminary states: “We revelation related to the establish - basis for this answer is found in believe that dispensations are stew - ment of God’s rule. answering three questions: “After the ardships in The first stage first advent, what revelation has which God …the hermeneutic of is the Dispensa - already been fulfilled?”, “What reve - administers his Dispensational theology is tion of Promise, lation has not yet been fulfilled?” and purpose on earth recorded in Gen - “What is the new revelation?” The through man the “plain sense reading” of esis 12-50. The answer to the first, according to Tra - under varying new revelation is ditional Dispensational hermeneutic, responsibilities.” the Scriptures. that Abraham is is that the part of revelation related to Johnson sup - going to be the Gospel has been fulfilled. It was ported this unifying hermeneutic of blessed by God. This blessing was to anticipated in the Hebrew Bible and God’s administration and purpose by be used by God to bless others. fulfilled in Jesus. The answer to the pointing to Genesis 1, showing that Under the patriarchs, sinful as they second is that the promises to Israel God’s historical purpose was to create were, the rule continued. Under have not yet been completely ful - mankind in his image, thus making Joseph’s rule, one of Abraham’s filled. The answer to the third points possible a relationship between God descendants, the nations are blessed to the “mysteries” related to the King - and mankind. Mankind was given a and his brothers are saved. dom. According to Traditional Dis - delegated rulership over creation. At The second stage is the Dispensa - pensationalism’s hermeneutic, the Fall of mankind, that rulership tion of Law, recorded in Exodus Christ’s reign is currently over his was usurped by the enemy, the Ser - through the Gospels. The question in own, the church. There is coming a pent. The first announcement of this stage is, “How does the contin - time when he will also rule over his Good News was in the context of gency of the law add to the uncondi - enemies. God’s declaration that he would re- tional promises.” a consistent interpretive The fourth stage establish his rule over mankind. Johnson’s contention is the Dispensation Each of God’s successive adminis - is that under the procedure requires that of the Kingdom, trations moved toward God’s historic Torah the uncondi - recorded in the Book purpose of fulfilling the original cre - tional promises and someday Israel possess of Revelation. The ation purpose. In other words, God the contingency of the land fully and enmity between speaks and acts throughout history to the Law are kept sep - Satan and Christ has re-establish his rule over man who is arate, running as it Messiah reign on earth. yet to be resolved. in conflict with evil and then, as man were, on parallel The glory of the Mes - is ruled by God in salvation from evil, tracks. The Law does not replace siah, prophesied in the Hebrew Scrip - God will eventually reign through Promise because Promise continues to tures, has yet to see its fullest comple - man over the fallen creation. bless. The Law does not change tion. The earthly rule of Messiah has The Dispensational hermeneutic Promise because it simply adds the yet to be established. In Revelation views Revelation 20 as the moment at contingency that God expects obedi - 20, the Traditional Dispensationalist which the rule of man that was estab - ence if you are going to be a blessing sees the fulfillment of both the Abra - lished in creation, which is the rule of to others. In the coming of Jesus, hamic and Davidic covenants in the man that was lost in the Fall, is going these parallel lines come together. He reign of Christ with Israel and the to be restored in history. The rebel - lives according to Promise, under the Church. Israel comes into this rule as lion of evil which God permitted does Law. Jesus, according to Matthew 5, the promised people, the church

Page 2 comes in as heirs and fellow heirs Packer put it, “a consistent interpre - Messiah reign on earth. A consistent with Christ. For Johnson, in this tive procedure yielding a consistent interpretive procedure requires that in understanding of Revelation 20, God understanding of Scripture.” In the Christ’s death the new covenant fulfills his creation purpose and thus case of the promises given to Israel promised to Israel be ratified, the ben - exposes the fullest display of God’s regarding the possession of a land and efits become available to all and the glory. the rule of Messiah, a consistent inter - inauguration of the complete fulfill - In summary, the Traditional Dis - pretive procedure requires that some - ment with the covenantI partner Israel pensational hermeneutic seeks, as J.I. day Israel possess the land fully and take place in the future.

THE HERMENEUTICS OF PROGRESSIVE DISPENSATIONALISM

Dr. Darrell L. Bock promises completely. Furthermore, Covenant, has ushered in his king - Summary by Paul B. Phair the church is not a parenthesis in dom in the here and now. However, Pastor, Oakwood Community Church God’s program, but it represents con - its fullness is yet to come in the next, (EFC), Tampa, FL tinuity with the OT messianic pro - coming dispensation. gram. ome people misunderstand the Progressive Dispensations Complementary term Progressive Dispensationalism Hermeneutics Sto mean that those who hold this system of theology believe they have In his notes, with numerous Scrip - made an advancement in enlighten - tural citations and more detail, Bock Bock labeled the interpretative ment from the original and unrefined set forth the following: approach Progressive Dispensational - view of traditional Dispensational - The Abrahamic Covenant , which ists use as “complementary ism. However, this is not what the includes a promise of a people and a hermeneutics” between the Old and originators of this term intended to land. New Testaments. On the same convey. Instead, by means of this The Davidic Covenant and its themes that the OT Scripture address - label they desire to express the Scrip - development in es, NT revela - tural principle that God successively the Psalms and God successively builds and tions comple - builds and expands upon his revela - prophets. These ment (complete, tion of truths and redemptive rule promises include expands upon his revelation or fill out) what from one dispensation to another. In an eternal line of of truths and redemptive rule God has already each dispensation, God sets up what kings that have declared in the he will implement subsequently. Each descended from from one dispensation to OT. God may dispensation progresses to the next David that will another. develop and until God achieves the fulfillment of climax with The expand upon his his ultimate purposes. King who will earlier revela - Traditional Dispensationalists rule both Israel and the world in an tions, and there may be additional usually emphasize the distinctions or earthly, yet exalted, glorious realm. elements that God adds (such as the discontinuity from one dispensation The Promise of the New inclusion of Gentiles). However, it is to the next; Progressive Dispensation - Covenant that involves an internal, vitally important that we realize in alists, while identifying the changes intimate, and transformed relation - God’s doing that, he does not negate and distinctions, underscore what ship of God with his people. This what he had already given to us in his they see as God’s continuity of devel - involves forgiveness of sins and the original, more fundamental declara - opment from one dispensation to the empowerment of his indwelling Spirit tions. In NT revelations, God may next. so that God’s law can now be opera - refract back on God’s promises in the A key to understanding God’s tive within his people. This is not a OT, and he may do so in a manner redemptive program is to grasp his renewed covenant; rather it is some - that helps us to see the fullness of covenant promises. Each covenant is thing totally new. God explicitly their scope, but God does not redefine linked together in one unified, yet made this covenant to Israel/Judah what he originally promised. progressively expanding plan. and while God has broadened his Bock asked, “If God is faithful to Unlike traditional Dispensationalism, covenant to include others, we cannot his promises, then can he fail to Progressive Dispensationalists see eliminate from the promise those to redeem a disobedient, national-ethnic that all the covenants of promise are whom God originally gave it. Israel?" "What’s at stake here," he initially, but not fully, realized in the The Inauguration of the New contends, "is God’s faithfulness to ful - church. However, in the millennium, Covenant in the Messianic Dispen - fill the promises he makes related to and then in the eternal new heavens sation. The NT reveals that Jesus, in the nation of Israel. Will he do what and earth, God will fulfill these partial fulfillment of the Davidic he says he will do?”

Page 3 Revelation 20 tially states that if God can mar - dar. It is quite clear that what God velously include Gentiles into his presents to us is a description of an Obviously, a key text regarding redemptive plans, is it too hard for intermediate kingdom on earth fol - the millennium is Revelation 20. The God to return ethnic Israel back to lowed by a new heaven and earth. often-repeated claim throughout the him through the Messiah? God’s calendar offers more. It is not a decades that God does not redefine what Some object generic reference to some general Bock often hears that the NT in period, but it is a reference to some and reads is that he originally promised. general, and here specific periods of time. When Scrip - we should not in Revelation 20 ture discloses that this intermediate build our view specifically, does kingdom will be 1000 years, and this of eschatology on the only text of not often or clearly mention “the is specified six times in such a short Scripture in which the millennium is land” for Israel. However, there is an span of verses, then clearly there is a clearly set forth. In response, Bock easy explanation for this. Israel was description of a 1000-year reign in maintains that all Revelation 20 essen - already in the land when God was some sort of intermediate kingdom tially offers to us that is new is the giving new revelations in the NT. before the final, complete consumma - time frame, the length of this era. The land is assumed in the backdrop. tion of God’s plan is realized. God’s What Revelation 20 describes is an Furthermore, when Jesus’ authority plan is a two-step plan, not just a one- intermediate, earthly kingdom that expands to the entire earth, the step plan. God brings about a millen - the OT promised again and again and promise of the land is then rela - nial kingdom on earth, followed by again! This glorious kingdom on tivized—but that does not mean that the eternal new heavens and earth. earth that Revelation 20 describes is God failed to fulfill this promise. In conclusion, Bock observed from not new; it is an era of promise that Bock acknowledges that Revela - Acts 3:18-21, “Heaven holds Jesus runs throughout all the Hebrew tion is an exceptionally difficult book until he comes back when the rest of Scripture! Furthermore, Romans 11 is to interpret. Nearly all scholars rec - God’s program will be fulfilled, just a very significant passage that essen - ognize that it uses symbolic language, as the prophets said. The question is, at least to some degree. What is 'what do the prophets say?' The abundantly clear however is that God answer is found by just reading the The Ministerial Forum is disclosing the program that God prophets of the Old Testament and of the will one day deliver and with that their expectation oIf an intermediate, God discloses the concept of a calen - earthly kingdom.” Evangelical Free Church Ministerial Association THE HERMENEUTICS OF A review of opinions, view - points and thoughts addressing bib - HISTORIC lical issues facing EFCA Ministerial members. Editor, Bill Kynes. Pub - PREMILLENNIALISM lished under the direction of the EFCA Ministerial Association Board members 2007-2008 Chair - Dr. Douglas J. Moo cal setting) and the “canonical sense” man: Rev. Tom Macy, Faith Mis - Summary by Matt Mitchell (the text in its final literary setting). sionary Church, Indianapolis, IN; Pastor, Lanse EFC, Lanse, PA Both are vital. We must do our work Rev. Mark Frazee, Bradenton EFC, on the natural sense because “A text Bradenton, FL; Rev. Mark Liesch, ccording to Doug Moo, historic can’t mean what it never meant” Butte EFC, MT; Rev. Dave Wardle, premillennialism is, at heart, “a Historically, there has Arlington Heights EFC, IL; Rev. Aview that takes a certain interpre - Alejandro (Alex) Mandes, EFCA tation of Revelation 20 but does not been a tension in Hispanic Ministries Director, Min - necessarily buy into some of the broad - neapolis, MN. er hermeneutical implications of other interpretation between the Please send correspondence to millennial eschatological systems.” “natural sense” (the text in Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church, 3901 Gallows Road, The Pattern of Fulfillment its historical setting) and Annandale, VA 22003. (E-mail the “canonical sense” (the [email protected]) To understand the hermeneutics The views expressed in The Min - of historic premillennialism, Moo text in its final literary isterial Forum are the author’s(s’) argued that we need to understand setting). Both are vital. alone and do not necessarily reflect the pattern of fulfillment, how the OT the views of the Evangelical Free relates to the New, so that the Bible is Church Ministerial Association or read as a single book. (), but we must also make its board of directors. Historically, there has been a ten - sense of it as a part of the whole. sion in interpretation between the When we do, we recognize that “natural sense” (the text in its histori - there is a pattern running from the

Page 4 Old Testament to the New that sweeping “sand on the seashore” lan - which finds its background in Isaiah involves both continuity guage hinting at a deeper meaning in 59. This future for Israel is that, (promise/fulfillment) and discontinu - light of the bigger story. “It’s like through faith in Jesus Christ, a signifi - ity (mystery/revelation). Moo argued when you read a good novel. It might cant number of individual Jews will for sensus plenior as a key to under - not be until you get to chapter 25 that join the one people of God (the “Olive standing this pattern. He defined sen - you really see what was going on back Tree” of 11:17-24). There is consider - sus plenior as the in chapter 2.” able overlap between Israel and the apostolic there is a pattern running Dr. Moo be- church but not a complete overlap. hermeneutic for from the Old Testament to lieves that there is “And Yet…” Premillennialism understanding “evidence that the “fuller mean - the New that involves Paul is reading and Its Consequences ing” of the OT— both continuity God’s promises to an organic devel - Israel as promises In Moo’s view, Rev. 20:1-6 teaches opment from the (promise/fulfillment) and that can find ful - that the millennium is “an indetermi - OT meaning, discontinuity fillment in the nate period of time after Christ’s rooted in Chris - Gentiles of his day return in glory, bounded by the resur - tocentrism and (mystery/revelation). because ultimately rection of believers and the general an universaliz - these texts are talk - resurrection, during which time Satan ing impulse, ing about the ‘peo - is bound and saints reign with resulting in a deepening of meaning, ple of God’ and not just Israel in a Christ.” This is based upon the “come an extension of meaning, and (stated national or ethnic sense.” to life” language (pointing to two sep - carefully) a transforming of meaning 2. The Law. God’s people of the arate resurrections) and the language usually based on the OT itself. New Covenant era are no longer under about Satan being “bound” and not the OT Law (a point of discontinuity; deceiving the nations (a significant The Pattern Illustrated: see Rom. 6:14, 7:4, and 10:4: “Christ is Paul's “Universalizing” step away from what has been said the culmination of the Law”). previously about Satan in Revelation). Hermeneutic of Romans 3. The Land. In Rom. 4:13 (“heir Moo is a premillennialist—the of the world”) Paul deliberately uni - millennium is going to follow Christ’s versalizes the land promises of Gene - return. He is, however, a “Revelation Moo illustrated this pattern with sis. The land is not just “Christofied” 20 Premillennialist.” He thinks that specific texts from the book of or spiritualized, but cosmically this is “the only NT text that suggests Romans, starting with Rom. 1:16-17. expanded to include the whole world this idea of an intermediate kingdom, He argued that one of Paul's key pur - in a New Heavens and New Earth. an intermediate fulfillment between poses in Romans was to explain the The general pattern, therefore, is Christ’s return and the New Heaven prevalence of Gentiles in Messiah’s one in which OT and the New people (“everyone who believes”) in teaching and Dr. Moo draws no larger Earth.” If it light of OT Scripture (“to the Jew prophecy is “ful - hermeneutical implications wasn’t for Reve - first”). Paul did this, in part, by devel - filled” in Christ lation 20, he oping the “righteousness of God” lan - and his new from Revelation 20. If his wouldn’t be a guage from the OT (see Isa. 46:8-13 covenant people. view were to change, he premillennialist. [vindication/righteousness for Israel], This “fulfill - He also believes Isa. 51:4-8 [vindication/righteousness ment” concept wouldn’t have to change the it is a difficult for Gentiles, too], and Hab. 2:4 [where renders any text to interpret Paul legitimately deepens all of “residual” appli - way he interprets Scripture. with other legiti - Habakkuk’s key words: “righteous,” cation to Israel as mate possible “faith,” and “live”]). a nation unlikely readings. This “Universalizing” in Romans (a strong point of disagreement with Therefore, Dr. Moo draws no larg - affects Paul’s understanding in three Dispensationalism). And the applica - er hermeneutical implications from important areas: tion of OT language about Israel to Revelation 20. If his view were to 1. The People of God. Jew and the church respects the ultimate change, he wouldn’t have to change Gentile alike are now together God’s intention of the original texts. the way he interprets Scripture. This people by faith. “It’s not race, but “And Yet...” makes his hermeneutical approach grace” (N.T. Wright). Abraham is closer to many amillennialists than to seen to be the “father of many The Future of Israel Dispensational premillennialists and nations” (Rom. 4:17; cf. Gen. 17:4-7) is “messier” than he might like, but not just the circumcised (Rom. 4:11- This understanding of the pattern “for me, that’s part of standing under 12). Hosea promised that God will of fulfillment is theologically neat and Scripture sometimes, a willingness to call those who are not his people “my tidy. Moo, however, thinks that the acknowledge that kind of messiness, people” (Rom. 9:24-25). In its natural whole OT picture is also a bit the tensions that do existI, as we try to sense, this referred to covenant-break - “messier than that.” He recognizes a be faithful to Scripture.” ing Jews, but in the original context few key texts that teach a future for (Hos. 1:8-11) this promise came with ethnic Israel, especially Rom. 11:26

Page 5 THE HERMENEUTICS OF ent perspectives. Several examples are set forth to support this recapitu - AMILLENNIALISM lation, such as the great earthquake out of the sixth seal (6:12), repeated in the last of the bowls (16:18); the mov - ing of islands and mountains (6:14), Dr. Gregory Beale to premillennialism's “temporary repeated in 16:20 and similar to 20:11; Summary by Tom Macy kingdom." He believes the Bible and the “little time” (12:12b) and the Pastor, Faith Missionary Church, speaks rather of an “irreversible king - “short time” (20:3) of Satan’s rebel - Indianapolis, IN dom.” lion. Beale believes each vision is Beale argues for the symbolic going back to the same events, pick - naugurated Millennialism” or nature of the Apocalypse and rejects ing up and developing them further “Already and Not Yet” Millennial- premillennial claims to literalism by from a slightly different perspective “Iism is the term preferred by Dr. appealing to the opening “program - but with enough similarity to bind Beale in his pre - “All Scripture is working matic statement” them together. sentation and in Rev. 1:1 that Several other examples of paral - defense of the toward the reestablishment “the things which lelism are seen in Revelation that fur - amillennial must shortly take ther support the recapitulation view-- view, primarily of the new creational place” were “com - the trumpets and bowls based on the because, he as- kingdom.” municated” ( ese - plagues of Exodus, and the “uncanny sured us, “I manen ) through resemblance of Ezekiel and Revela - believe in a mil - God's angel to tion in order." Jeremiah, Ezekiel and lennium. I believe it is a literal millen - John. Beale understands the verb Daniel all give precedence for this nium… not just spiritual.” semaino to mean “to communicate by recapitulation as they show cycles of Beale introduced his view with symbols.” Thus he says, “I take Rev. exile and restoration. In Daniel, five this brief description: 1:1 literally that the book is going to parallel apocalyptic sections are I believe that the millenni - be figurative.” “snapshots of the same general um of Revelation 20 started thing.” Additional support is noted when Christ rose from the Recapitulation as an in the chiastic structure of Revelation dead and it will conclude right Interpretive Key 17-22, giving evidence of events hap - at the end of history, after pening concurrently. which there will be this little A major interpretive construct that The Millennium of period that Satan is let loose distinguishes Beale’s amillennial and seeks to exterminate the understanding is the rejection of the Revelation 20 church, and he’ll be done in. linear chronological view of Revela - Then I believe there is destruc - tion in favor of the recapitulation The pivotal passage in the millen - tion of the heavens and earth, view. The linear chronological view nial debate is Revelation 20 and the the judgment and the new assumes that the order of the visions understanding of the “thousand heavens and earth. The millen - in the book is the order of the years.” Beale’s position is that “the nium is going on now. chronology of millennium is The Biblical Pattern the future. In “I take Rev. 1:1 inaugurated the recapitula - during the tion view the literally that the book church age as Foundational to Beale’s treatment book follows is going to be God limits of the Book of Revelation is the pat - only the order Satan’s decep - tern that “All Scripture is working in which the figurative.” tive powers and toward the reestablishment of the visions were as deceased new creational kingdom.” He finds given, and it Christians are this in Genesis 1-3 in the cycle of does not intend to present a chrono - vindicated by reigning in heaven. chaos, creation, the first Adam, fol - logical account of the fulfillment of The millennium is concluded by a lowed by sin and judgment. This those events. Each of these views resurgence of Satan’s deceptive cycle occurs repeatedly in biblical his - take a variety of forms with different assault against the church and the tory through Noah, the Exodus, and scholars, but Beale generally adopts final judgment.” national Israel, all leading to the suf - M. G. Kline’s structure of Revelation Beale sees numerous parallels fering and ultimate victory of Christ. in which chapters 1-3, “The Church between Revelation 12 and 20 includ - Revelation 21, then, is presented as Imperfect in the World,” and chapters ing the resurrection and the establish - the “Ending of History as Consum - 21, 22, “The Church Perfect in Glory,” ment of Christ’s kingdom. The bind - mative Eschatology.” This recurring form a parenthesis around five syn - ing of Satan in 20:2,3 does not mean pattern in the OT revelation illus - chronous parallel sections from Rev. that Satan is reduced to “zero influ - trates Beale’s recapitulation view (see 4:1—21:8. Each section recapitulates ence” but is another expression of the below) for understanding the flow of the same material offering “five snap - declaration of Jesus that “the gates of the Book of Revelation. Beale objects shots of the same things” from differ - hell shall not prevail" against the

Page 6 church; that is, Satan is bound from with a physical resurrection." tion 20 and Revelation 19. John just destroying the church. In response to the objection that does what Ezekiel did.” In regard to the resurrection of Beale inappropriately mixes the phys - Common Ground 20:4, Beale argues that outside of Rev. ical and spiritual resurrection, he 20:4-6, the Bible teaches “only one appeals to Paul’s interchangeable use Seeking common ground, Beale physical resurrection.” He believes of terms for both in 1 Corinthians 15. affirmed the inerrancy of Scripture that resurrection life starts at regener - Beale also argues that parallels in and expressed his belief in the salva - ation and that there is a “staggered Ezekiel 37, Jn. 5:24-29, and Rom. 6:4- tion of ethnic Israel at the end time, literal fulfillment.” The first resurrec - 13 support a spiritual resurrection in though just a remnant. His presenta - tion (20:4b) is spiritual and the sec - Rev. 20:4. He appeals to the symbol - tion time expired before he was able ond resurrection (20:5) physical. ism of Revelation 20 that this is “not to develop his views of Romans 11 Thus, premillennial belief in two to be understood literally but viewed and "the true Israel," though he physical resurrections is unlikely and as symbolically portrayed and com - argues that "all Israel" in Rom. 11:26 “unattested elsewhere.” Support for municated.” refers to the salvation of the remnant 20:4 being a spiritual resurrection is Beale sees more evidence for the of the Jewish sector of the church seen in parallels to “rest” in 6:9 and recapitulation view in regard to the gathered in throughout the church 14:13. He takes “came to life” as war of 20:8, believing that it is the age and that "the Israel of God" in referring “to an escalated resurrec - same war as 19:19 and 16:14. “Just as Gal. 6:16 refers to the entire church as tion experience with the Lord in Ezekiel 39 is a recapitulation of the "true Israel" and that this concepIt heaven that will be consummated Ezekiel 38, so the same with Revela - can be found elsewhere in the NT.

CONCLUDING SESSION: Discussion and Clarification

Summary by Bill Kynes the Jews to the land of Palestine in the Moo disagreed, contending that Pastor, Cornerstone EFC, current state of Israel. we would not know what the OT Annandale, VA In overall approach, however, it meant without the new revelation in was evident that Moo and Beale had the life, death and resurrection of n the final session with the four the most in common. This resulted Christ and the coming of the Spirit. In speakers, each was given fifteen from their emphasis on the revelation the NT we see a pattern of unexpect - I minutes to respond to what had of the gospel of Jesus Christ as ed deepening, expansion and elabora - been presented by the others, after expounded in the New Testament as tion of what we have in the OT text. which they all responded to ques - the interpretive key to the whole This reflects Paul's theme of a mys - tions. This session served to clarify Bible. In contrast, the Dispensational - tery now revealed in the gospel. Con - some of the simi - ists Johnson and sequently, Moo (and Beale) could see larities an d dif - In overall approach, Bock tended to give OT promises to Israel taking on new ferences in their however, it was evident greater emphasis to meaning in the light of the coming of various positions. the Old Testament. Christ. They argued that this was an Elliot John - that Moo and Beale had This was significant organic development of meaning, son, Darrell Bock hermeneutically in inherent from the beginning, like a and Doug Moo, the most in common. that Moo and Beale flower from a seed. Only in the light as premillennial - were more likely to of the gospel can it now be under - ists, all represented positions that are see a deeper and fuller sense of the stood, though the OT itself often hints currently accepted and well repre - Old Testament in the light of the New of this development. (The speakers sented in the Free Church, but it was (the so-called sensus plenior ). each discussed Peter's understanding clear that the only hermeneutical Johnson agreed that our basic in Acts 2 of David's words in Ps. 16:9- principles that they all shared were hermeneutic of OT texts must find its 11 in the light of their hermeneutical also shared by the amillennialist Greg connection with NT writers, but he principles.) Beale. All affirmed the inerrancy of was more insistent that the meaning Moo, in agreement with Beale, Scripture; all insisted upon careful found in the OT by the OT writers pointed to texts like Ezek. 36; Jer. attention to the exegesis of the Biblical themselves must be determinative. 31:31-34, Hos. 2:23, which were origi - text; and all insisted on the impor - He described himself as probably "the nally applied to Israel but in the NT tance of a canonical meaning as a fac - most rigid" of the four in this regard. were applied to the church. In their tor in interpretation. Interestingly, In his view the meaning of the text view the language about physical they also agreed in finding no must be stable, regardless of what lat - Israel can be said to be fulfilled in prophetic significance in the return of er revelation appears. Christ, in the church and in the New

Page 7 Heavens and the New Earth. now the whole earth. that dropping premillennialism might Bock, as a Progressive Dispensa - Johnson and Bock affirmed a diminish the physicality of God’s tionalist, agreed that some of this sort future for the Jewish people in the sav - redemptive work. For a Dispensation - of fulfillment does, in fact, take place ing purposes of God, to which Moo alist like Johnson this physical dimen - and that Moo and Beale are making and Beale agreed. But for them, it is sion is realized in the millennial king - legitimate hermeneutical moves. In the not as national Israel but as a part of the dom. In his view it is in the millenni - "universalizing of the promise" which church. Further, this future role of eth - um that the earth is restored from its is rooted in the Abrahamic covenant nic Israel plays no significant role in fallen condition to what God had we see the scope of what God really their interpretation of the prophetic originally proposed. intended all along. However, he con - passages of the OT. Moo and Beale fully agreed with tended that the NT assumes and In fact, Moo and Beale agreed on this physical dimension to redemp - builds upon rather than negates what almost everything except the interpre - tion, but they affirm it through the was promised to ethnic Israel. Thus, tation of Rev. 20, though both held resurrection of the body and the for example, though nothing is explic - that most if not all the numbers of restoration of creation in the New itly said about the fulfillment of the Revelation, typical of apocalyptic lit - Heaven and the New Earth. This, promises of the land for the people of erature, function in a symbolic way, Moo argued, is the substance of the Israel in the NT, those promises are and that the 1000 years represents a hope in the NT, not the coming of the assumed. The NT expands but does period of indeterminate length. Bock millennial kingdom. Beale did not not fundamentally transform those acknowledged that such a view of the believe that the amillennial view in promises. Much is added but nothing 1000 years was conceivable to him any way detracted from a sense of is lost. also. expectancy with regard to the coming Moo countered that something is What would be at stake if the of Christ and would be no different lost as we move from the Old to the EFCA were to drop premillennialism than the post-tribulational premillen - New. The bulk of the Mosaic law, for in its Statement of Faith? In Moo's nial view. example, is lost, as we don't worship view, the EFCA SOF as it stands Those who attended the confer - on Saturday and Sunday, nor do we reflects a certain interpretation of Rev. ence were very appreciative of the perform sacrifices. A real transforma - 20 and not much more than that. four speakers who interacted with tion takes place. The universalizing of Dropping it would have no effect grace while demonstrating a passion the land promise means that the land hermeneutically, since his hermeneu - for biblical faithfulness. They provid - of Palestine has been taken up into tical principles are nearly identical to ed a godly model forI constructive the - something larger—the inheritance is that of Beale. Bock was concerned ological discussion.

tive positions. The Evangelical Beacon 54/10 (February 15, POSTSCRIPT: This is the third major dis - 1981), p. 14, notes that there were “360 Free Church pastors” cussion the EFCA Ministerial Association has had on escha - present, which “was an Institute attendance record.” tology. On January 12-14, 1981, the Mid-Winter Institute A conference on “The Premillennial Return of Christ” addressed the theme of “Preparing for the Church’s Finest was held in January, 2000. Historical, biblical and distinc - Hour,” and the opening session focused on “Tribulation: tively EFCA aspects of the theme were considered. For a Pre, Mid or Post.” Paul Feinberg, Gleason Archer and Doug report of this conference see The Ministerial Forum, Vol. 11.1 Moo, all TEDS professors, presented a defense of the respec - I (Spring, 2000) . I’VE BEEN THINKING…

John Herman, It’s essential that a pastor be a themselves to what they have already Executive Director, “healthy” person if our goal is learned will eventually become stag - EFCA Pastoral Care Ministries healthy pastors becoming healthy nate. A healthy pastor sees life-long leaders who serve on healthy teams learning as the norm. e seldom use the adjective contributing to the multiplication of Take a Break: Pastors who ignore “healthy” to describe a pastor’s healthy churches among all people. the basic work/rest cycles instituted Wtheology. The preferred term is Effective ministry begins with being a by God for the good of His creation “biblical” or “evangelical” or the less healthy person. What helps a pastor will become exhausted. A healthy precise “solid”. A pastor’s leadership be healthy? Four phrases summarize pastor observes a day off, personal is described using “style” words (uni - my thoughts. retreats and restorative Sabbaticals. fier, persuader, perfecter, director) Be Connected: Pastors who iso - Address It Now: Pastors who and sometimes the less precise late themselves from others in life or delay identifying areas of weakness “strong”. Healthy may be an impre - ministry are vulnerable. A healthy are likely to experience difficulty later. cise word to describe a pastor’s per - pastor establishes deep friends and Healthy pastors trust someoIne trust - sonhood. But I find it useful to sum - partnerships in ministry. worthy to help them change. marize pastoral care issues. Keep Growing: Pastors who limit

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