Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology
Instructor
Jeffrey Khoo, 9A Gilstead Road, Singapore 309063, Singapore.
Institution
Far Eastern Bible College (http://www.lifefebc.com).
Course Level/Type
Undergraduate-graduate elective. Conducted as an evening course opened to the public.
Hours of instruction
16 hours (an hour a week for a 16-week semester).
Enrolment/Year
150 students/1999.
Pedagogical Reflections
This course is especially designed as an introductory course on the two major evangelical systems of theology, viz, Dispensational Theology and Covenant Theology. As such, it is not the intent of the lecturer to delve too deeply into fine specifics of the two systems, but to discuss them at the general level. The objective is to familiarise the students with the sine qua non of dispensationalism and covenantalism, and to evaluate their respective strengths and weaknesses especially in the areas of hermeneutics and dogmatics. The concluding synthesis presents the reformed and yet dispensational premillennial system as being closest to the truth. At least 45-50 minutes are taken for each lecture. 10-15 minutes are set aside at the end for Q & A. This format has worked out quite well so far. Students avail themselves to the downloadable lecture notes at http://www.lifefebc.com/febc/Lecture/DCT/DispCovTheo.htm. Thank you for kind assistance and attention.
Jeffrey Khoo, PhD
Academic Dean
Far Eastern Bible College
This course attempts a comparative and evaluative study of dispensational and covenant theology especially in the areas of hermeneutics, ecclesiology, soteriology, and eschatology. It seeks also to defend the reformed view of salvation, and the dispensational-premillennial view of the end-times in the light of Scripture.
2. COURSE TEXTS
2.1. Timothy Tow, *Prophescope on Israel* (Singapore: Christian Life, 1992).
2.2. Timothy Tow, *The Story of My Bible-Presbyterian Faith* (Singapore: FEBC Press, 1999). Relevant chapters: II-"Bible-Presbyterianism and the Premillennial Doctrine of Israel," and III-"Israel a Great Nation."
2.3. Timothy Tow, *The Law of Moses and of Jesus* (Singapore: Christian Life, 1986).
2.4. Steven A Kreloff, *God's Plan for Israel: A Study of Romans 9-11* (Neptune NJ: Loizeaux, 1995).
2.5. Donald K Campbell & Jeffrey Townsend, gen eds, *A Case for Premillennialism* (Chicago: Moody, 1992).
2.6. Craig A Blaising and Darrell L Bock, *Progressive Dispensationalism* (Wheaton IL: Bridgepoint, 1993).
3. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
3.1. Certificate students: Read 2.1, and 2.2 (Chaps II-III), and submit a reading log.
3.2. DipTh/BRE/MRE students: Read either 2.1, or 2.3, or 2.4, and write a summary.
3.3. BTh/MDiv/ThM students: Read either 2.5 or 2.6, and write a critique.
3.4. Attend all lectures. Only one unexcused absence is allowed. Beyond that, special permission must be sought from the lecturer. If absences exceed three, no credit will be granted for the course. Late withdrawal from the course will result in an F grade.
3.5. There will be a final exam.
4. COURSE GRADE
4.1. Reading 30%
4.2. Examination 70%
5. COURSE OUTLINE (http://www.lifefebc.com/FEBC/LectureNotes/DCTCont.htm)
5.1. Introduction
5.2. Terms and Definitions
5.2.1. Dispensationalism
5.2.1.1. Term
5.2.1.2. Definition
5.2.2. Covenantalism
5.2.2.1. Term
5.2.2.2. Definition
5.3. History
5.3.1. Of Dispensationalism
5.3.2. Of Covenant Theology
5.4. Adherants
5.4.1. Dispensationalists
5.4.1.1. Classical
5.4.1.2. Revised
5.4.1.3. Progressive
5.4.2. Covenantalists
5.4.2.1. Amillennial
5.4.2.1.1. Louis Berkhof
5.4.2.1.2. William Hendriksen
5.4.2.1.3. J. Gresham Machen
5.4.2.1.4. Anthony Andrew Hoekema
5.4.2.2. Postmillennial
5.4.2.2.1. Charles Hodge
5.4.2.2.2. Loraine Boettner
5.4.2.2.3. Christian Reconstructionists
5.4.2.2.3.1. Rousas J. Rushdoony
5.4.2.2.3.2. Greg L. Bahnsen
5.4.2.2.3.3. Kenneth L Gentry Jr.
5.4.2.3. Premillennial
5.4.2.3.1. Historic/Anti-Israel
5.4.2.3.1.1. George Eldon Ladd
5.4.2.3.1.2. Millard J. Erickson
5.4.2.3.2. Dispensational/Pro-Israel
5.4.2.3.2.1. J. Oliver Buswell
5.4.2.3.2.2. Timothy Tow
5.5. Hermeneutics
5.5.1. Dispensational
5.5.1.1. Literal Interpretation
5.5.1.2. David Cooper's Golden Rule of Interpretation
5.5.1.3. Continuity and Discontinuity
5.5.1.4. The Analogy of Antecedent Scripture
5.5.1.5. Complementary Hermeneutics of Progressive Dispensationalism
5.5.2. Covenantal
5.5.2.1. Literal Interpretation
5.5.2.2. Dispensational Misrepresentation
5.5.2.3. Albertus Pieters' Qualification
5.5.2.4. How do amillennialists interpret prophecy?
5.5.2.5. Analogy of Scripture
5.6. Theological Systems
5.6.1. Dispensational
5.6.1.1 The Seven Dispensations
5.6.1.1.1. Innocence
5.6.1.1.2. Conscience
5.6.1.1.3. Human Government
5.6.1.1.4. Promise
5.6.1.1.5. Law
5.6.1.1.6. Grace
5.6.1.1.7. Kingdom
5.6.2. Purpose of the Dispensational Tests
5.6.3. Critique of the Dispensational Tests
5.6.2. Covenantal
5.6.2.1. The Two Covenants
5.6.2.2. Two Covenants, Two Tests
5.6.2.2.1. The Covenant of Works
5.6.2.2.1.1. Scriptural Basis
5.6.2.2.1.2. Elements
5.6.2.2.1.2.1. The Parties
5.6.2.2.1.2.2. The Promise
5.6.2.2.1.2.3. The Condition
5.6.2.2.1.2.4. The Penalty
5.6.2.2.1.3. Present Validity
5.6.2.2.1.4. Adam Tested and Failed
5.6.2.2.2. The Covenant of Grace
5.6.2.2.2.1. Scriptural Basis
5.6.2.2.2.2. Elements
5.6.2.2.2.2.1. The Parties
5.6.2.2.2.2.2. The Promises
5.6.2.2.2.2.3. The Requirements
5.6.2.2.2.2.4. The Characteristics
5.6.2.2.2.2.4.1. Gracious
5.6.2.2.2.2.4.2. Eternal
5.6.2.2.2.2.4.3. One
5.6.2.2.2.2.4.4. Conditional/Unconditional
5.6.2.2.2.2.4.5. Mediatorial
5.6.2.2.2.3. Administrative Differences
5.6.2.2.2.3.1. Rites
5.6.2.2.2.3.1.1. More in OT
5.6.2.2.2.3.1.2. Less in NT
5.6.2.2.2.3.2. Revelation
5.6.2.2.2.3.2.1. In OT
6.2.2.2.3.2.2. In NT
6.2.2.2.4. Christ Tested and Passed
5.7. Doctrinal Issues
5.7.1. Ecclesiology
5.7.1.1. Dispensational
5.7.1.1.1. Ryrie says
5.7.1.1.2. Propositions
5.7.1.1.3. Scriptural Arguments
5.7.1.1.4. Critique
5.7.1.2. Covenantal-amillennial
5.7.1.2.1. William Cox writes
5.7.1.2.2. Propositions
5.7.1.2.3. Scriptural Arguments
5.7.1.2.4. Critique
5.7.1.3. Covenant-premillennial
5.7.1.3.1. The Westminster Confession of Faith
5.7.1.3.2. Propositions
5.7.1.3.3. Scriptural Basis
5.7.1.3.4. Observation
5.7.2. Soteriology
5.7.2.1. Dispensational
5.7.2.1.1. Four-point Calvinism
5.7.2.1.2. Non-atoning View of Christ's Life Sufferings
5.7.2.1.3. Non-salvific Ministry of the Spirit in OT
5.7.2.1.4. Abrogation of the Moral Law
5.7.2.1.5. Non-Lordship Salvation
5.7.2.2. Covenantal
5.7.2.2.1. Five-point Calvinism
5.7.2.2.2. Limited Atonement
5.7.2.2.3. Vicarious-atoning View of Christ's Life Sufferings
5.7.2.2.4. Salvific Ministry of the Spirit in the OT
5.7.2.2.5. Applicability of the Moral Law
5.7.2.2.6. Reformed View of Saving Faith
5.7.3. Eschatology
5.7.3.1. Dispensational Premillennial
5.7.3.2.1. Doctrinal Statement from Dallas Theological Seminary
5.7.3.2.2. Pretribulational Rapture of the Church
5.7.3.2.3. Premillennial Return of Christ
5.7.3.2. Covenant
5.7.3.2.1. Amillennial
5.7.3.2.2. Postmillennial
5.7.3.2.3. Premillennial
5.7.3.2.3.1. Pretribulational
5.7.3.2.3.2. Mid-tribulational
5.7.3.2.3.3. Post-tribulational
5.8. Conclusion