Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Well,
	I don't know about `reformed' theology, unless it's to do with the
`Reformation' (Martin Luther,and all that), but Dispensational Theology
basically states something along the lines of...

The can be seen in the Bible a number of Dispensations, or Ages, in which God
relates to Mankind in a unique way.  For example, the two most obvious are:
the Old Testament, and the New Testament ages.  The major proponents of
Dispensationalism are CI Scofield (of Scofield Reference Bible fame) and 
Charles L Feinberg.  Their theology dates back to JN Darby (of France - I think)
during the 19th CE.

The basic Dispensations they determine are:
    Innocence - Before the Fall in the Garden of Eden Gen 1:28 
    Moral Responsibility - After the Fall to the Flood Gen 3:7 
    Human Government - Flood to Abraham Gen 8:15
    Promise - Abraham to Exodus Gen 12:1
    The Law - Exodus to Christ Ex 19:1
    Church Age - Christ to present (and future) Acts 2:1
    The Millenial Kingdom - 1000 year reign of Christ after the Church Age
    Rev 20:4
	
    Scofield states that "The purpose of each dispensation, then, is to
    place man under a specific rule of conduct, but such stewardship is not
    a condition of salvation.  In every past dispensation unregenerate man
    has failed, and he has failed in this preent dispensation, and will in
    the future.  But salvation has been and will continue to be available
    to him by God's grace through faith." (New Scofield Reference Bible -
    1967 edition, Oxford Uni Press - 1970)
There is much more to this, but hopefully this is a reasonable overview.
								      hazza :*]
    

Another quick note about dispensational theology is that it holds that
God has differing expectations and differing roles for people in the
differing dispensations.  One particular area which is controversial today
is the role of the gifts of God.  Dispensationalists on the whole believe
that some gifts are not "active" today (e.g. tongues).  

A second major
area is that dispensationalism is *committed* to the idea that the Church
is *not* Israel, i.e. that the promises made to Israel will be fulfilled
by physical Israel, not the body of believers known as the Church.  

Dallas Theological Seminary is the main "dispensational" seminary.  All
students must commit to accepting despensationalism to graduate.

Personally, I accept some of what dispensationalism says and reject
other parts of it.

Collis

    re: .2
    
    Thanx for you're replies.  But I'm still curious about reformed
    theology?  A friend of mine is a graduate of Dallas Theological, from
    what I heard it's a very good school.  But this one pastor I know
    criticized her for going to a school that taught an incorrect
    interpretation of the Bible and he's supposed to be a reformed
    theologian.
    
    ktlam...

Yes, Dallas Theological Seminary is a very good school (academically).
Many churches are wary of their graduates, however, because they tend
to fit into a mold (because of the school theology requirement).  Their
graduates are considered very solid, Biblically and conservative.

Collis

    I WAS at one time a Reformed Baptist.  The Reformed doctrine is based
    on the doctrines of the reformers in Germany, France, and England. 
    This also takes in the doctrines of the Puritans.  The main doctrine
    that reformers hold to that upsets many others is the doctine of 
    predestination, ie. the five points of Calvinism.  There are many
    different groups of reformers.  Some are Baptist, Presbyterians,
    Anglican, and Methodist.  However, on the doctrine of predestination
    they all agree.  Now I am not saying that all Baptist, Presbyterians,
    Anglican, and Methodist are Reformers.  There are branches of these
    groups that are reformed.
    
    
    
                                Marshall

    What are the five points of Calvinism?

re Note 25.7 by RAVEN1::WATKINS:

> 
>     
>     
  
        Marshall,

        I know that there's got to be more to the five points of
        Calvinism that that!	:-}

        Bob  

The acronym TULIP is used for the 5 points of Calvanism.  Since I've never
studied this (and since the last time I talked about this was about 3
years ago), I don't remember what these letters stand for.  I'm sure someone
else will know.

Collis

P.S.  As I remember it when discussing these points, I agreed with some and
disagreed with others.

By the way, Methodism is *NOT* based on pre-destination, but is rather
in the "free-will" camp as John Wesley made so abundantly clear.

Collis

    re: .10
    
    Yes, you are definitely right about that!

    The acronym TULIP stands for the following:
    
    Total depravity
    Unconditional atonement
    L
    Irresistible grace
    Perserverance of the saints
    
    It represents the five points of Calvinism.
    
    ktlam...
    
    ps -- oops!  I forgotten what the L stood for.

    re: <<< Note 25.12 by SWAPIT::LAM "Q ��Ktl��" >>>
                                   -< TULIP >-

<<<    The acronym TULIP stands for the following:
    
<<<    Total depravity
<<<    Unconditional atonement
<<<    L
<<<    Irresistible grace
<<<    Perserverance of the saints
    
    Let's try again:
    
    	T otal Depravity
    	U nconditional Election
    	L imited Atonement
    	I rresistible Grace
    	P erserverance of the Saints
    
    regards,
    
    David

    Total Depravity, eh ?  Sounds like fun.  Total Moral Corruption, or is
    it Total Debasement (lowering of character, quality or value)?  ;-)

        <<< Note 25.13 by CSOA1::REEVES "David Reeves, Cleveland, OH" >>>
                       -< And now the rest of the story >-
�    Let's try again:
�    
    �   	T otal Depravity
    �	U nconditional Election
    �	L imited Atonement
    �	I rresistible Grace
    �	P erserverance of the Saints
�    
�    regards,
�    David
    
    Thanx for your help.....
    
    ktlam...

      Some Methodist groups DO hold to predestination.  They followed a 
    famous Methodist preacher named Whitfield.  Most of this group is found
    in Britian.   Whitfield was a Calvinist Methodist.   Because John
    Wesley came to the U.S.  Most if not all Methodist groups here are
    those that believe free will.
    
    
                                Marshall