John MacArthur's Teachings

[Knight]

I thought this thread was allowing a comparison.....sorry.

No problem... Compare all you want but I know that MacArthur dosen't really care if he lines up to the classical reformed position. He cares that he is Biblical and true.

Read a classic work on the amillenial position and you may notice a few things that do make a difference.

Cheers...

Such as???

 

[ContraMundum]

No problem... Compare all you want but I know that MacArthur dosen't really care if he lines up to the classical reformed position. He cares that he is Biblical and true.

Of course. He's doing his best and he's helped a lot of people.

Such as???

What the Kingdom is, for starters. This reflects on a whole array of issues.

Can I recommend the classic "Amillenialism today" by William E. Cox? Most Reformed pastors will have a copy.

Also, there is an excellent newer book called "A Case for Amillenialism" by K Riddlebarger out published by IVP that I can also heartily recommend. He is honest with the topic and even outlines the problems with each historic position on the matter.

Also, just do some looking into Luther and Calvin on this topic, as well as the early protestant confessions and you'll see where I'm coming from (and others in the classical position).

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

 

[ContraMundum]

McCarthur clearly lines up with the God's Sovereignty crowd., ever since the "Lordship controversy" many years ago.

JR

I must have missed that controversy. Where do I get some info on it?

 

[Proeliator]

I find myself very close to McCarthur's theology, which is dispensationalist. For examples from his study Bible, check out his notes on the ten commandments, which he claims do not apply today. Only if a commandment was repeated in the Newest Testament (the current dispensation) is it binding. Thus the Sabbath is repealed, but the other 9 are restated, and thus remain.

Well, by your definition here, everyone who goes to church on Sunday is a dispensationalist. And to take it a bit farther, those that eat pork, etc are as well, since they dont follow the Levitical law.

 

[ReformedAnglican]

I must have missed that controversy. Where do I get some info on it?

http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/topic/lordship.html

 

[McWilliams]

I must have missed that controversy. Where do I get some info on it?

Some great articles here:

http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/topic/lordship.html


John MacArthur wrote The Gospel According to Jesus to show what saving faith actually amounts to in response to the Lordship controversy. He clearly examines the 'tragic errors' of such a position.

 

[McWilliams]

Oh Oh, Sorry to duplicate ReformedAnglicans post! Must have been before my coffee!!lol

 

[Knight]

What the Kingdom is, for starters. This reflects on a whole array of issues.

Can I recommend the classic "Amillenialism today" by William E. Cox? Most Reformed pastors will have a copy.

Also, there is an excellent newer book called "A Case for Amillenialism" by K Riddlebarger out published by IVP that I can also heartily recommend. He is honest with the topic and even outlines the problems with each historic position on the matter.

Also, just do some looking into Luther and Calvin on this topic, as well as the early protestant confessions and you'll see where I'm coming from (and others in the classical position).

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

I may look at these when I have the time.

However, can you give me one simple example of how a millenial position effects the daily life of the believer?

 

[ContraMundum]

I may look at these when I have the time.

However, can you give me one simple example of how a millenial position effects the daily life of the believer?

Ever seen or read anything to do with the "Left Behind" series? These people look for signs and prepare for a future series of events based on their interpretation of end times events, based on their millenial views.
They look forward to the Kingdom of God on earth, although the Lord said words to the effect of "My Kingdom is not of this earth" and "Don't go out looking for the Kingdom, because it is within you". So, in one sense, they are looking for a false hope. I know a half-decent pre-mill adherent can reply to that with some reason, though thousands can't, but you asked for one simple example, and there you have it.

Then there is also the prophecy cults, the JW's, the Branch Davidians, the WCoG etc- all live, eat and breathe a theology based on their peculiar millenial views.

 

[ContraMundum]

http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/topic/lordship.html

Thanks! I'll bookmark it. Thanks also to McWilliams.

 

[Jon_]

I find myself very close to McCarthur's theology, which is dispensationalist. For examples from his study Bible, check out his notes on the ten commandments, which he claims do not apply today. Only if a commandment was repeated in the Newest Testament (the current dispensation) is it binding. Thus the Sabbath is repealed, but the other 9 are restated, and thus remain. Other notes, such as on the Olivet Discourse in Matt 24 make his dispensationalist views quite explicit. What McCarthur is not is Arminian (semi-Pelagian). McCarthur clearly lines up with the God's Sovereignty crowd., ever since the "Lordship controversy" many years ago.

JR

(Matthew 22:36-40 KJV) Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

(Matthew 5:17 KJV) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

(John 14:15 KJV) If ye love me, keep my commandments.
​

If all the law and the prophets follow from the greatest commandments, then it follows that, as Christ did not come to abolish the law, and as Christ commanded that we keep his commandments, the Ten Commandments are indeed still binding. This is simply another example of the error in dispensational interpretation. It sets Covenant against Covenant, and makes nonsense of the Old Testament prefigurations and prophecies concerning the person and work of Christ, and the form and function of his body (the church.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[Knight]

Ever seen or read anything to do with the "Left Behind" series? These people look for signs and prepare for a future series of events based on their interpretation of end times events, based on their millenial views.
They look forward to the Kingdom of God on earth, although the Lord said words to the effect of "My Kingdom is not of this earth" and "Don't go out looking for the Kingdom, because it is within you". So, in one sense, they are looking for a false hope. I know a half-decent pre-mill adherent can reply to that with some reason, though thousands can't, but you asked for one simple example, and there you have it.

Then there is also the prophecy cults, the JW's, the Branch Davidians, the WCoG etc- all live, eat and breathe a theology based on their peculiar millenial views.

There are extreems on every side. I know of no Christian who runs their daily life by their interpretation of specific end times prophecy. In fact, most Christians I know do not subscribe to a specific end times view.

This is a disputible matter and should be treated as such.

 

[Knight]

Since this thread is becoming more and more about dispensationalism... (sigh)

Here is a link to an article that provides a fair and balanced view of this issue. The author does not endorse it nor does he condemn those who do.

http://faith.propadeutic.com/dispens.html

 

[JimfromOhio]

Here's John MacArthur's view on dispensationalism

Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers"

 

[Knight]

Here's John MacArthur's view on dispensationalism

Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers"

Good article.

 

[ContraMundum]

There are extreems on every side. I know of no Christian who runs their daily life by their interpretation of specific end times prophecy.

Look harder.

In fact, most Christians I know do not subscribe to a specific end times view.

Most I know, do. In fact, almost all of the official articles and confessions of the churches mention a position of at least some aspect of eschatology.

This is a disputible matter and should be treated as such.

Agreed.

 

[Knight]

Look harder.

I have. I even co-taught a Adult Bible Study Class which partially dealt with this subject. The majority of the people did not consider this a major issue of the faith.

Most I know, do. In fact, almost all of the official articles and confessions of the churches mention a position of at least some aspect of eschatology.

Some do and some don't. Ours does not though I know our pastor is more or less premill. Though he does not really teach on it.

I do not know what it is like where you are but around here people are not basing their faith on a millenial position.

 

[ContraMundum]

I have. I even co-taught a Adult Bible Study Class which partially dealt with this subject. The majority of the people did not consider this a major issue of the faith.

Sure, in some circles this is an open question. In the classical protestant tradition, it is not.

Some do and some don't. Ours does not though I know our pastor is more or less premill. Though he does not really teach on it.

As above. The classical protestant confessions, and even the early Christian creeds, all have eschatological statements, some more precise than others, and some open to interpretation and deliberately ambiguous, but they are all there.

I do not know what it is like where you are but around here people are not basing their faith on a millenial position.

No orthodox Christian bases their faith on anything like that, but plenty of people fall from orthodoxy and faith through various interpreations of the millenium and other eschatological issues. That is why orthodoxy is so important to preserve at all levels as much as possible. In the end, one error can eventually undermine the Gospel- case in point: Russelism which built the Watchtower society.

 

[Knight]

The classical protestant confessions, and even the early Christian creeds, all have eschatological statements, some more precise than others, and some open to interpretation and deliberately ambiguous, but they are all there.

I'm not speaking of creeds or confessions. I'm talking about the daily life of the believer.

No orthodox Christian bases their faith on anything like that, but plenty of people fall from orthodoxy and faith through various interpreations of the millenium and other eschatological issues. That is why orthodoxy is so important to preserve at all levels as much as possible. In the end, one error can eventually undermine the Gospel- case in point: Russelism which built the Watchtower society.

False doctrine can come in many shapes and sizes. Not all have to apply to eschatological views. Though I agree that many do.

We must guard against false teaching always. I grant that an eschatological view can lead to this but this is not the first place I would look.

I hope you would agree that one can be Premillenial, Postmillenial, or Amillenial and still be considered orthodox.

 

[ContraMundum]

I'm not speaking of creeds or confessions. I'm talking about the daily life of the believer.

Sure. Some, if not most, believers adhere to some degree to the creeds and confessions. That was what I was pointing to.

I hope you would agree that one can be Premillenial, Postmillenial, or Amillenial and still be considered orthodox.

Absolutely.