***"I do tend in a dispensational direction because I do draw a distinction between the Church and Israel. As this article points out, that is a critical issue in bible prophecy."***
Ditto. I see the Millennial Kingdom as the literal fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant with ethnic Israel. This is an important issue for me but not a "fighting issue."
I appreciated the respect with which both students and faculty at Westminster Seminary (the school is decidedly committed to covenant theology) treated me -- the lone dispensationalist (I think) on campus.
[[BTW, I did avoid wearing my Clarence Larkin, Plan of the Ages, tie to class.]]
I, for one, am saddened when this becomes a source of anathemas and cheap shots.
"I see the Millennial Kingdom as the literal fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant with ethnic Israel. " I, of course respectively, disagree and think any distinction between 'ethnic' Israel and believing Gentiles has been completely and undoubtedly shattered:
Galatinas 3 (whoops, that typo looked pretty funny so I thought I'd leave it in)
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Colossians 3:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
It's pretty vivid, explicit and clear, dr.
Jean