The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Whats the deal with MacArthur?

(Fred) This is a frequent question asked of John. His "Dispensationalism" differs from Classic Dispensationalism in many areas. For example, Classics divide up dispensations into 7 epochs. John doesn't see that, at least as rigidly as Classics have defined the 7 dispensations of man. (I am thinking of the Clarance Larkin/Scofieldian ideas of 7 dispensations). John's primary concern is maintaining a distinction between Israel and the Church. There is an appendix about this near the end of his book "Faith Works" now retitled "The Gospel According to the Apostles." Here is an extended answer John gave during a Q and A session at our church defining his dispensationalism. I will let him answer for himself.

www.biblebb.com/files/macqa/70-16-9.htm

Like Tom stated, I hope his dispensationalism, regardless of how mild we think it is or isn't, will not spoil your learning from him. I can recall asking the late James M. Boice about who his favorite authors were and the men of the past who shaped his spirituality. With out skipping a beat he told me Harry Ironsides, the fundamentalist dispensationalist of the early 20th century. That is remarkable coming from the pastor of 10th Presbyterian Church in Philly. Regardless of John's non-Presbyterian/covenantal views, I believe he is worth your time to hear and read. Obviously, I come from a position of bias because I work for him, but he is one of the most consistent exegetical and expositional preachers in the U.S. today. Rarely do men preach like he does from the pulpit - verse by verse, book by book for 50 minute stretches, 3 times on Sunday - and rarely do congregation suffer such men.

Fred