DoP,
“Whatever they were, they were NOT advocates of a premillineal “rapture” and a reconstitution of the nation of Israel and the other loopy stuff you find in dispensational writings.”
When you make pejorative statements against other believers who have studied convictions, you come across as judgmental, critical, mean, etc. Is that really what you want?
ampu
You left out "bigoted, hateful, spiteful, self-righteous, malicious, proud, arrogant, haughty, insolent, rude, intolerant, full of myself, disgusting, abhorrent, foul tempered and truculent."
That would be a more fitting description! Actually, I am not trying to unnecessarily beat up on anyone. I don't take myself real seriously, and I will be quick to beg your pardon if you tell me "I really don't like that." You may call me if you think I am inappropriate at any time, and I appreciate it when you do.
Let me give you an example of a group that had sincere, dedicated beliefs at one time. They were the Hesychasts. They were mystic monks who lived on Mt Athos in the 14th century. They believed that you achieved a state of spiritual oneness with Christ by gazing intently at your navel and repeating "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." until the Holy Spirit came and posessed your faculties (I am not making this up!). These brethren were most sincere, and humble. I think they were loopy, even if they were sincere and passionate and humble.
I think some of the dispensationalist stuff is just plain weird, even if it is held by the most studied of brethren. I can disagree with folks on a broad number of topics from baptismal mode to church gov't to chiliasm to any number of topics and we can remain friends. One of my closest friends in TX was a Bible church pastor and graduate of Dallas Seminary, with whom I went round and round over this.
I am not trying to hurt anyone's feelings here. Nor do I expect to change anyone's mind in an internet forum. The best I can hope to do is have someone say "hmmmm, maybe there is more to this than I thought there was."
Feel free to comment on style and substance. I have a very thick skin, and there is no accusation one can make of me that the truth is not worse.