Here is a brief description of John MacArthur's theological viewpoint. It is also my own:
"MacArthur calls himself a "leaky dispensationalist"--meaning he rejects any and all "dispensational" soteriological innovations, holding to classic Reformed (i.e., Protestant, not "covenantal") soteriology. MacArthur's "dispensationalism" is eschatological and ecclesiological only. And given the fact that soteriology is central to our whole understanding of Christianity, whereas eschatology and ecclesiology deal primarily with secondary doctrines, it would be my assessment that MacArthur has far less in common with Ryrie than he would have with anyone who believes 1) that God's grace is efficacious for regeneration and sanctification as well as for justification, and 2) that God graciously guarantees the perseverance of all true believers." - Phil Johnson
[Jesus Christ] suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead; He ascended into heaven, He sits at the right hand of the Father, God Almighty; From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies; And shall give account of their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting. And they that have done evil into everlasting fire. (excerpt from the Athanasian creed.)
Someone referred to some recent comments of mine as a "parody of dispensationalism." They were not. The comments were about those who over the past three decades or so have tried to calculate the time of the second coming and rapture, and identify the beast and false prophet. (With just a bit of "tongue-in-cheek" humor added by me to spice things up.)
A former Plymouth Brethren, I once agreed with the eschatology of J.N. Darby, C.I. Scofield, Hal Lindsey et al, but no longer. However, I do recognize that some great men of God hold (and held) to some form of that view. John MacArthur (mentioned in the post), Donald Grey Barnhouse, and J.C. Ryle are among the most highly respected of these faithful proclaimers of the Gospel of Christ.
As mentioned in the Phil Johnson quote, if you believe and hold to the true Gospel of salvation solely by grace, through faith in Christ, your eschatology is secondary. Not unimportant, but secondary.
Now, on to this post:
Eddie, is that a pre-trib, post trib, or mid-trib Raptor? I can see that it is definitely NOT a partial Raptor.
You did it to me again. First, I am reading your serious side and loving the comment made...then you sucker punch me with your bold-face comment on the raptor post. I will have to use some anti-bacterial wipes to remove the Mountain Dew Red from my monitor screen.
I have mentioned before here that I am what is called by some a Cereal Millennialist. I repeat that, however, this label is mistaken because we do not believe that Christians will be eating Post cereal for a millennium. Especially those of us who are gluten free.
By the way, Mr. Boyd, keep Mr. Eddings busy with his monitor. We all enjoy it.
I grew up heavily influenced by the Plymouth brethren and early Keswick movement, who believed partial-rapture having heard no other alternative. (That particular doctrine scared me to death.)
BTW, what's a partial raptor? A triceratops that runs on its back legs with little forearms who occasionally enjoys a medium-rare steak?
There is nothing like having a partial rapture hanging over your head to keep you on the straight and narrow. "Once saved, always saved," but you don't want to miss out on that reward.
On the other hand, somebody has to remain here to hold down the fort after the REALLY COMMITTED CHRISTIANS who were "walking with the Lord" at just the right time (like Enoch) have gone up.
Uh, minus the dispensationalism and soteriology discussion, though that would have certainly made it more interesting, it was sadly lacking. By the way, thanks for the quote, I wasn't quite sure what he meant by "leaky dispensationalist" that clears everything up.
Thanks for the clarification, Eddie. I should put my cards on the table. I'm an AWE-millennialist, which means I believe all the major views of eschatology are at least partly flawed and we're in for some big surprises. It's another way of saying I haven't made up my mind yet. :) But when Jesus appears, we will all be in AWE of Him.
It was probably uncharitable for me to call Stranger's remarks a parody of the dispensationalist view. They were more like a parody of the worst extremes of that view. I have also belonged to that camp in the past (but not the Camping camp).
It's interesting to consider the range of views represented among Calvinists. Eschatology should always be a secondary issue for us, as Phil Johnson so eloquently pointed out. As for the raptor, all I can say is I'm open to the idea of being caught up by one. Although it doesn't sound very pleasant.
Here is a brief description of John MacArthur's theological viewpoint. It is also my own:
ReplyDelete"MacArthur calls himself a "leaky dispensationalist"--meaning he rejects any and all "dispensational" soteriological innovations, holding to classic Reformed (i.e., Protestant, not "covenantal") soteriology. MacArthur's "dispensationalism" is eschatological and ecclesiological only. And given the fact that soteriology is central to our whole understanding of Christianity, whereas eschatology and ecclesiology deal primarily with secondary doctrines, it would be my assessment that MacArthur has far less in common with Ryrie than he would have with anyone who believes 1) that God's grace is efficacious for regeneration and sanctification as well as for justification, and 2) that God graciously guarantees the perseverance of all true believers." - Phil Johnson
...and being a Calvinist, I know God has sovereignly ordained all views of eschatology for His purpose.
ReplyDeleteRaptors?! Let me at 'em!
ReplyDelete[Jesus Christ] suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead;
ReplyDeleteHe ascended into heaven, He sits at the right hand of the Father, God Almighty;
From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies;
And shall give account of their own works.
And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting.
And they that have done evil into everlasting fire.
(excerpt from the Athanasian creed.)
Someone referred to some recent comments of mine as a "parody of dispensationalism." They were not. The comments were about those who over the past three decades or so have tried to calculate the time of the second coming and rapture, and identify the beast and false prophet. (With just a bit of "tongue-in-cheek" humor added by me to spice things up.)
A former Plymouth Brethren, I once agreed with the eschatology of J.N. Darby, C.I. Scofield, Hal Lindsey et al, but no longer. However, I do recognize that some great men of God hold (and held) to some form of that view. John MacArthur (mentioned in the post), Donald Grey Barnhouse, and J.C. Ryle are among the most highly respected of these faithful proclaimers of the Gospel of Christ.
As mentioned in the Phil Johnson quote, if you believe and hold to the true Gospel of salvation solely by grace, through faith in Christ, your eschatology is secondary. Not unimportant, but secondary.
Now, on to this post:
Eddie, is that a pre-trib, post trib, or mid-trib Raptor? I can see that it is definitely NOT a partial Raptor.
You did it to me again.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I am reading your serious side and loving the comment made...then you sucker punch me with your bold-face comment on the raptor post. I will have to use some anti-bacterial wipes to remove the Mountain Dew Red from my monitor screen.
I dunno, Eddie. It just comes natural : )
ReplyDeleteI have mentioned before here that I am what is called by some a Cereal Millennialist. I repeat that, however, this label is mistaken because we do not believe that Christians will be eating Post cereal for a millennium.
ReplyDeleteEspecially those of us who are gluten free.
By the way, Mr. Boyd, keep Mr. Eddings busy with his monitor. We all enjoy it.
Next time I'll be reading with my helmet visor down!
ReplyDeleteIf there's a raptor coming, you don't want to be camping.
ReplyDeleteAngus, I can always count on you for witty remarks.
ReplyDeleteSome told me yesterday that camping is in tents and I said, "Yes, he is."
Bwahahahaha!
ReplyDeleteI grew up heavily influenced by the Plymouth brethren and early Keswick movement, who believed partial-rapture having heard no other alternative. (That particular doctrine scared me to death.)
BTW, what's a partial raptor? A triceratops that runs on its back legs with little forearms who occasionally enjoys a medium-rare steak?
@ Persis
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like having a partial rapture hanging over your head to keep you on the straight and narrow. "Once saved, always saved," but you don't want to miss out on that reward.
On the other hand, somebody has to remain here to hold down the fort after the REALLY COMMITTED CHRISTIANS who were "walking with the Lord" at just the right time (like Enoch) have gone up.
So when will the bumper stickers be available?
ReplyDelete@Craig:
ReplyDeleteMy past is why I love the doctrine of perseverance of the saints now.
By the way, Eddie, the "sucker punch" was unintentional. It's just that after having a "venerable moment," I was anxious to get back to the humor.
ReplyDeleteSort of like the left turn I made last week when I realized that I was passing the street I was looking for.
Oh, one more thing. About keeping your helmet visor down? You might want to think that one through.
@ Persis
ReplyDeleteSame here.
Lovin' the raptor joke. It's going to happen tomorrow you know! Right...? Right...? Are you a happy camper?
ReplyDeleteHey, I think I saw a movie like this once...
ReplyDeleteUh, minus the dispensationalism and soteriology discussion, though that would have certainly made it more interesting, it was sadly lacking. By the way, thanks for the quote, I wasn't quite sure what he meant by "leaky dispensationalist" that clears everything up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the clarification, Eddie. I should put my cards on the table. I'm an AWE-millennialist, which means I believe all the major views of eschatology are at least partly flawed and we're in for some big surprises. It's another way of saying I haven't made up my mind yet. :) But when Jesus appears, we will all be in AWE of Him.
ReplyDeleteIt was probably uncharitable for me to call Stranger's remarks a parody of the dispensationalist view. They were more like a parody of the worst extremes of that view. I have also belonged to that camp in the past (but not the Camping camp).
It's interesting to consider the range of views represented among Calvinists. Eschatology should always be a secondary issue for us, as Phil Johnson so eloquently pointed out. As for the raptor, all I can say is I'm open to the idea of being caught up by one. Although it doesn't sound very pleasant.
Hahaha! That's brilliant, Eddie! I should put a waring like this up on my blog. ;)
ReplyDelete