LOVEequalsLXIX said:
btw, the thief on the cross was under the old dispensation, not the new dispensation.
Actually, I wanted to sit this one out.
Buuuuttt, when I saw the mentioning of dispensationalism, I couldn't sit it out.
What difference does it make WHICH dispensation he was in? I find it odd that so many dispensationalists have a misunderstanding of our doctrine. We do NOT (NOT NOT NOT) teach that salvation was obtained by different modes in different dispensations. Salvation has ALWAYS been by elective grace, through faith in the Messiah to come, the 'Immanuel', or the Messiah who came. The dispensations themselves bear NO, I repeat NO soteriological changes or discrepancies.
Is baptism important?
Christ commanded it! How could anyone say such a thing that it isn't? But does it save? Knowing NT Christianity, it completely rams head-on into the brick wall of Scripture. We're saved by grace, grace, God's grace. Grace that can pardon and cleanse within, grace that is deeper than all our sins. Sorry a poetic mood of admiration just struck me so I quoted a hymn.
That's the one problem I have with classic dispensationalism. The soteriological confusion that results. Of course, the problem I have with covenant theology is the eschatological confusion that results. Postmillennialism is not practical or realistic, partial-preterist amillennialism requires partial hermeneutic systems. The problem with that then is that there is no absolute standard for interpretation if only some eschatological verses are spiritualized in order to fit the Bible with the system.
Here's the thing- primarily, dispensationalism is eschatological, and covenant theology is soteriological. Think about it. The emphases of each are DIFFERENT. Thus, it would be possible to harmonize both together. A way to combine the orthdox soteriology and weak eschatology of replacement theology, with the orthodox eschatology and weak soteriology of dispensationalism. Since the areas of focus are different, one relating to prophecy fulfillment and one relating to salvation, there is not inherent contradiction, and thus both could theoretically be combined. Pre-tribulation premillennialism, partial dispensationalism, 5 point Calvinism- a great system of theology. There has got to be some sort of way to reconcile the systems. Actually, on a private note, that's become my new goal. Finding a consistent way to harmonize the systems. It's uncanny how well they could fit together. The weaknesses and strengths of one system are exact strength and weaknesses of the other. If we could get the strong soteriology of covenant theology, and the strong eschatology of dispensationalism, and ACTUALLY find a way to harmonize them together, logically and hermeneutically, that would be just AWESOME.
That's my new goal. TTYL Jesus loves you!