Sam Waldron on John MacArthur’s ‘Millennium Manifesto’
Sep 26th, 2007 by Nathan White
I am going to take a short break from my series of posts on Eschatology. Frankly, I just don’t have the time right this moment to interact with all of the good questions, and so I’ll pick it back up in a week or two. Check back with me, however, as the next article will deal with the crux of the matter.
But before I leave the subject, let me point you to a masterful resource of material concerning my view. Sam Waldron, noted Reformed Baptist (and Southern Baptist, SBC), posted a series of articles in response to John MacArthur’s now-infamous sermon on Eschatology at the 2007 Shepherd’s Conference. Links to the entire series of articles are below.
Let me encourage you, no matter what your position may be, to check out at least a few of the articles below. I have arranged them by their title so that you can read about the issue you personally question with the most. I assure you that Waldron rightly deals with and refutes the many accusations of a ’spiritual hermeneutic’ and ‘not taking things literally’, etc., that often come from those who simply do not fully understand the non-millennium position. I have not seen a response or rebuttal to any of these articles, so if any of my readers happen to know of something, please let me know.
The overall title of this series is “MacArthur’s Millennial Manifesto“
Likewise check-out Pastor Waldron’s book..The End Times Made Simple.
JP
JP, yes, very good book.
Thanks for the links to Dr. Waldrons articles – very Helpful Nathan
I’m in a similar position (historic premill.) - I respect Dr. MacArthur for his preaching and his pastoral work all over the world (in fact I studied at the Masters Academy International), but I’m completely opposed to his dispensational view on eschatology. It’s amazing for a man of his format that he could make those statements in such an uninformed way.
However - you will also find a very thoughtful response to Dr. MacArthurs opening sermon on Kim Riddlebargers Blog:
http://kimriddlebarger.squarespace.com/a-reply-to-john-macarthur/
- and also a very good discussion of the subject in the archive of the ‘Narrow Mind’ Radio Show - You will find it in two parts (mp3 files) on the related blog (Archives March 2007):
http://tnma.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html
- there you find it under the heading: “Why Every Self Respecting Calvinist Should Know the Difference Between Israel after the Flesh and The Israel after the Promise”
Your servant,
dirk
Dirk,
Thanks for the links. I am familiar with both the Riddlebarger posts and the Narrow Mind programs, and they are very good.
Just to be clear though, neither Waldron, Riddlebarger, or Gene Cook hold to the historic Premill position. Personally, I see that once the dispensational glasses come off, non-millennialism is the only consistent place to go, even though there are a few Godly men down through the years who disagree.
SDG,
Nathan
Nathan,
Have you read “Moses Or Christ? Paul’s Reply To Dispensational Error” by Charles D. Alexander? I have been reading Sam Waldron’s reply to McArthur and Mr. Alexander also points to the book of Galatians in refuting dispensationalism. I thought it was very good.
Hannah, no, I haven’t read those works, but thanks for the recommendation. I will pick them up.
Personally, I’d have to say that Ephesians 2 did it for me. That and Acts chapter 15, Romans 2, and Romans 9. It’s just crystal clear to me that a Jew, even in the Old Testament, was never simply an ethnic race, but were God’s chosen people. This correlation can only make sense when you understand the New Testament’s teaching on predestination and election.
But there was a process for anyone in the Old Testament to become a ‘Jew’. And this was by circumcision. All one had to do, to be a part of the promises and the Covenant people, was be circumcised and agree to follow the commandments. So, when dispensationals today teach that the Jewish race is in itself what God blessed and promised things to, it simply shows (in my opinion) a misguided understanding on the Old Testament at a very foundational level.