The Messianic Jew & Charismatic Dispensationalism

The Messianic Literary Corner ^ | 11/30/2008 | Marshall Beeber

[mbeeber]

	The Messianic Jew & Charismatic Dispensationalism by Marshall Beeber In the nineteenth century a theological revolution called "Dispensationalism" rightly outlined the "Biblical Historical Perspective", thereby giving mankind a clearer picture of how God has provided and continues to provide salvation to man throughout history.  By acknowledgement of this perspective, an accord between Hebrew Old Covenant and New Covenant prophecy was forged, sweeping away many of the contradictions that divided Christian and Orthodox Jewish prophetic viewpoints.  Dispensationalists became God's instrument of change in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries,  leading the way in promoting the support of the establishment of the state of Israel and bringing to light the prophetic signposts for the "End of this Age". But when Dispensationalists took a theological stand against the excesses they found in contemporary "Charismatic" Christianity, they "Quenched the Holy Spirit" by denying the validity of most Charismatic Christian spiritual experiences.  The result of this schism today is an eschatology shared by both Fundamentalist and Charismatic Protestant Denominations, but a sharp disagreement on the exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Dispensationalists claim they are protecting the kingdom of God from spiritual frauds and false theologies, while the Charismatics believe they have tapped into the "true baptism" of spiritual experience.  Both sides have valid arguments as well as excesses.  The Dispensationalists often times exude an overly dry manner in their presentation of scripture and worship, while the Charismatics often exude a "heart first" approach, which lends themselves susceptible to erroneous doctrine presented in an exuberant fashion. Today most Messianic Jewish fellowships and congregations are disciples of one of the two movements mentioned.  As prophetic events move us closer to Messiah Yeshua's (Christ Jesus) return, believers are reminded of the Hebrew prophet Joel's promise of "prophecy, dreams and visions" among the elect of Israel before the great and terrible "Day of the Lord".1  Dispensationalists believe these occurrences were only present in the times immediately following the "Day of Pentecost" and will be present during the times just preceding "Judgment Day", where Charismatics believe these expressions of the Spirit were present from the Day of Pentecost continuously to the present day.2 Nevertheless, as the great "Day of Judgment" approaches, both Fundamentalist and Charismatic Christians should have more to agree upon than disagree.  When Dispensationalists accept they are living in the days just preceding the "Second Coming of Christ", they must also accept the very teachings they originally postulated. So as the "Day of the Lord" draws near, even Dispensationalists must accept those movements of the Spirit prophesied by Joel and recited by Peter on the Day of Pentecost. I believe Messianic Jews (Hebrew Christians) and Gentile Christians from Fundamentalist, Charismatic and Reformed backgrounds will soon come to an understanding that events much greater than themselves will soon shape their understanding of the Lord's will in regards to commonly held beliefs and attitudes.  We will all witness the same wonderful signs, tribulations and persecutions, whereby our love for the Lord Yeshua and one another will be tried and refined.  It is then that Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ will finally be united in purpose and strength as we all await the "Coming of the Lord". 1. Joel 2:28-29 2. Acts 2:16-18 (Additional studies and commentaries are requested. Feel free to email MLC your materials for posting)

[mbeeber]

	Nevertheless, as the great "Day of Judgment" approaches, both Fundamentalist and Charismatic Christians should have more to agree upon than disagree.  When Dispensationalists accept they are living in the days just preceding the "Second Coming of Christ", they must also accept the very teachings they originally postulated. So as the "Day of the Lord" draws near, even Dispensationalists must accept those movements of the Spirit prophesied by Joel and recited by Peter on the Day of Pentecost.

[huldah1776]

The more I learn, the more I wish we had a holiday celebrating the future return of the King of Kings. I look forward to it every day to keep myself filled with true hope and joy. I know the day of His return won’t be pretty for those who are following the anti-Christ, but the clean up effort will be worth it.

[sasportas]

The most outstanding feature of Dispensationalism is the pretrib rapture. Why no mention of it in this article? If there were a pretrib rapture, then these groups in question, Messianic Jews and Charismatics, will have been raptured out. Then, according to Dispensationalism, we revert back to the Old Covenant during the tribulation.

I am not saying I believe this scenario, I am post-trib, neither Dispensationalist nor pretrib.

[mbeeber]

Hello,

Thanks for your supportive comments. I believe we all may witness these prophetic events in our lifetime. No one wants to endure tribulation, but those who are wise will be ready and be “bright and shining lights in the ensuing darkness”.

In Messiah's (Christ's) grace,

Marshall Beeber

[onedoug]

Hyam Maccoby, Revolution In Judaea: Jesus And The Jewish Resistance

[mbeeber]

Hello Sasportas,

One can hold to dispensational teachings and still have differences in perspectives on whether the rapture will occur before the Tribulation or during the Tribulation. I also hold to a Post Tribulation escatology. As far as I can see, this teaching does not detract from the main thrust of dispensational teaching. Remember that dispensational thought should not be considered infallable, but should be thoroughly studied to determine if it conforms to the both the writing of the Hebrew prophets and the gospel.

I posted a study on Post-Tribulation teaching on the “Second Coming” at http://www.messianic-literary.com/rapture.htm

In Messiah’s Grace

mbeeber

[sasportas]

In the nineteenth century a theological revolution called “Dispensationalism” rightly outlined the “Biblical Historical Perspective”, thereby giving mankind a clearer picture of how God has provided and continues to provide salvation to man throughout history. By acknowledgement of this perspective, an accord between Hebrew Old Covenant and New Covenant prophecy was forged, sweeping away many of the contradictions that divided Christian and Orthodox Jewish prophetic viewpoints. Dispensationalists became God’s instrument of change in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries...

I don’t buy this. When I read “change” here, Obama comes to mind.

[Alex Murphy]

In the nineteenth century a theological revolution called "Dispensationalism" rightly outlined the "Biblical Historical Perspective"

I had to stop reading right there.

[mbeeber]

Sasportas,

Dispensational thought has brought much change to the world we live in today. Dispensational reformists have supported Zionism in the last century. Prior to WWII, the Balfour Declaration was responsible for opening up Jewish immigration back to Palestine to establish a permanent Jewish homeland.

President Harry S Truman, a Baptist who also believed in the prophetic promises given to Israel, supported the establishment of the state of Israel in 1947.

So you see, Dispensationalsim has caused much change in the world that we know today.

Whether Obama will support such change in the future is a question we all would like to know. His choice of Samantha Power to his national security advisory staff may allude to his anti-Israel leanings, or it may not.

[newberger]

Alex, I cannot agree with you more.

A “truth” discovered 19 centuries after the fact is at least suspect.

[TexasKamaAina]

The more I learn, the more I wish we had a holiday celebrating the future return of the King of Kings.

Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox and Lutheran churches have an entire season devoted to the Lord's return: Advent. Today happens to be the first Sunday of Advent and the season will continue through December 24th. During this season we reflect on the Lord's first appearance at Bethlehem, his coming into our hearts for a lifetime of conversion and his Second Coming in clouds of glory. The gospel reading today was Mark 13:28-37 with related readings from the Old Testament and the Epistles.

[muawiyah]

Here's how the "bright and shining lights" thing happens, and you don't need to wait for Tribulation.

According to his Captain, my friend the pilot of a Marine Corps med-evac helicopter, stayed steady and controlled his ship as it plummeted down in a jungle after it was disabled by NVA/VC fire.

According to the Captain, more of the people on board lived than would have been the case had he not done the same thing as he died.

Gooie Gomez, one of the fellows well known to Viet Nam Vets on FR, was his flying crew chief.

Gooie, if you read the write-ups about him, seemed to walk about the site of exceedingly violent battlefields just picking up wounded soldiers and carrying them to the helicopter for evacuation.

I envisioned Gooie as an Angel.

[Lee N. Field]

In the nineteenth century a theological revolution called "Dispensationalism" rightly outlined the "Biblical Historical Perspective"

Just wondering, can you provide us a list of theologians you have read who aren't dispensationalists? Are you familiar with the concept of "biblical theology" (as complementary to systematic theology? Redemptive-historical hermeutic?

[Lee N. Field]

Forget not Ascension Day. "He will come again as you have seen him go."

[Lee N. Field]

? Redemptive-historical hermeutic?

Can't spel for crap lately. That Hermeneutic.

[mbeeber]

You stated “Just wondering, can you provide us a list of theologians you have read who aren’t dispensationalists? Are you familiar with the concept of “biblical theology” (as complementary to systematic theology? Redemptive-historical hermeutic?”

My reply: Since Reformed Christian “Biblical Theology” and “Systematic Theology” replaces physical Israel with the Church in most passages dealing with future Messianic prophecy, such a question is merely a guise for entraping me in more fruitless debate.

[fishtank]

hi n.b. and a.m.
>
although disp’ism did not ‘appear’ until recently, THAT is exactly what would be expected based on the conditions of the giving of the ‘’Unveiling’’, the Apocalypse.

Please let’s exercise charity here. I don’t exect the Rapture to be the next prophtic event, but I expect the confirmation of the covenant (Daniel ch. 9).

When that happens, I’ll get back to you all on this, because then the whole Body is going to have to function as a unit.

[mbeeber]

Hello Lee; You stated “Forget not Ascension Day. “He will come again as you have seen him go.” You have quoted Acts 1:12

Would you like to read the OT verse describing Jesus future physical return to the Mt of Olives? All those in Jerusalem will see Him return as He had ascended. I assume you gave me a reluctant yes.

Zech.14:3-4 “Then the Lord will fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a valley... (Is.8:9, Zech.12:9, Luke 24:50-51, Acts 1:10-11)

[Lee N. Field]

such a question is merely a guise for entraping me in more fruitless debate.

You know where I stand. I know where you stand. You brought it up with the title of this thread and the first line of your excerpt.

Fruitless? I hope not.

I maintain that dispensationalism's "two peoples of God" axiom has some pretty severe gospel problems. I'd like to get you to examine that presupposition and it's gospel implications.

As far as the immediate question:

Just wondering, can you provide us a list of theologians you have read who aren't dispensationalists? Are you familiar with the concept of "biblical theology" (as complementary to systematic theology? Redemptive-historical hermeutic?

the things I see the average popular dispensationalist speakers and writers say make me wonder if they have any real familiarity with the views they're speaking against. Some of them have consigned us to the outer darkness. Meanwhile they all seem to be spinning in a tight little orbit about their own little common center.

So, who've you actually read?

[mbeeber]

While attending Biblical Seminary in Hatfield, PA in the 80s I read enough reformed theology to understand the tremendous error present in reformed thought. I will not though play into your sophist hand, knowing well that usually is your trump card.