I am continuing a critique of progressive dispensationalist Darrell L. Bock’s exposition of Luke 21. (Please note: parenthetical page references without further notation point to volume 2 of his two volume commentary in the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament [1994]). The question of Luke’s handling of the...
Last month I noted several clear exegetical observations showing that Matthew 24 provides a break in the development of the Olivet Discourse. At Matthew 24:34-36 we see the Lord himself transitioning between A.D. 70 (Matt. 24:4-35) and the Second Advent (Matt. 24:36ff). As we well know from the biblical...
I continue this month with my critique and response to Darrell Bock’s commentary on the Olivet Discourse in Luke (“Luke: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament,” 1994). Bock is one of the premiere progressive dispensational theologians. His massive commentary is in most respects a superb piece of evangelical...
This is my second entry in a series on the progressive dispensational approach to the Olivet Discourse. In this series I will be critiquing Darrell Bock’s approach as provided in his massive commentary (2 vols., 2150 pp) on Luke in the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Baker:...
With this issue I will begin a new series detailing my concerns with progressive dispensational eschatology. Though once again I confess that progressive dispensationalism makes great advances over the older varieties, it is still hamstrung by its own inherent system limitations. I was reminded of these systemic flaws as...
In this month’s Dispensationalism in Transition I will conclude my response to progressive dispensationalist Marvin Pate’s chapter in the Zondervan CounterPoint book: “Four Views on the Book of Revelation.” Unlike mainstream, bookstore-dominating dispensationalists such as Hal Lindsey, Pate admits: “The Apocalypse is arguably the most controversial book in the...
Last month I introduced my current series which will critique progressive dispensationalism’s use of eschatological tension (already/not yet) to explain the Book of Revelation. As I noted then and as I mention ANYtime I deal with progressive dispensationalism: This new, improved dispensationalism is far superior to its genealogical predecessors:...
One of the great tragedies resulting from the arising of dispensationalism is the frequent use of Revelation as an evangelistic tool. Of course, this is not NECESSARILY problematic. After all, Revelation is inspired of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. As such, it...
At long last we come to my final installment analyzing Bruce Ware’s progressive dispensational position on Israel. I began reviewing his work in June, 1997. All good things must come to an end (or: bad things — whichever the case may be!). WARE’S WARES Ware admits (as over against...
This month’s Dispensationalism in Transition will be my next to last article in the present series. I have been reviewing Bruce A. Ware’s important chapter in Blaising and Bock, eds., Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church (Zondervan, 1992). (Hereinafter: DIC.) Ware’s presentation focuses on the relationship of Israel and the...
