JD: Historically conservative evangelicalism has been largely dispensational. So how did we get from where we were then to where we are today?
DJ: Well Jimmy I think there’s a number of things over the last 30 to 40 years that have contributed to this. One is that some have never take dispensationalism seriously and some dispensational seminaries and colleges began looking to reform theology as being the more historically and academically creditable of the two. And then this began filtering down into the churches as old guard conservative dispensational pastors began to retire.
I would also say that a second major factor that played into this was a seek or sensitive movement that began to take off in the late 80s. As a result there was a shift away from expository preaching through the scriptures in favor of topical messages that were aimed at felt needs. So over time Biblical doctrine especially eschatology just got pushed to the side. So the next generation of leaders in the churches just weren’t equipped with enough Biblical knowledge or theological commitments to properly screen pastoral candidates and many of whom were beginning to come in with an agenda to move evangelicalism away from dispensational theology.
JD: What are some of the things you think need to happen to start a reversal of this trend away from teaching the prophetic word of God?
DJ: I’m beginning to see glimmers of hope. Dispensationalism began as a grass routes movement in churches not in seminaries and I think we need to get back to that. With individual believers putting effort into studying the Bible for themselves everyone needs to have a few basic books in their library like a book on theology, good Bible interpretation, books on studying the Bible correctly, and the Bible knowledge commentary. I’d also encourage pastors and Sunday school teachers to tackle these subjects in their preaching and teaching. Another thing would be to get connected with ministries like yours Jimmy and mine and Andy Woods and other dispensational teachers because there are dispensationalist out there and you can find them.
JD: David James, Bible in hand with an exhortation for local churches to have a revival of teaching Bible prophecy.
We report this information because it is setting the stage for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.
Pastors of local churches small or large need to take David James exhortation to heart and start teaching Bible prophecy. God’s word is 30 percent Bible prophecy. Bible prophecy is in all 66 books of the Bible and the apostle Peter says that the Bible is a more sure word of Bible prophecy, that’s II Peter 1:19. Jesus told John the Revelator to record the prophecy that foretells the future, that’s Revelation 1:19.
