Dispensationalism / Covenant Theology (Balanced View)
Looking for a recommendation of a resource or resources that accurately unpacks both dispensationalism and covenant theology. A bonus would be the inclusion of new covenant theology (but not necessary). Looking for something that has a minimum of bias with a fair and balanced representation of both systems. Would prefer a Logos resource of course, but print would be acceptable.
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one book that deals with an aspect of it is
5 views on Law and Gospel, ed. Stanley Gundry. But, Not in Logos.
I would think Millard Erickson would go over it in his Christian Theology, in the Eschatology section.
http://www.logos.com/products/details/3619
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
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Does it have to be one resource, or could it be a fair representation of covenant theology by a covenant theologian and a fair representation of dispensationalism by a dispensationalist?
I did find this brief summary online which gives in a very objective fashion the basic differences of the three systems (including new covenant theology), edited by someone who is clear up front that he prefers the latter, but it appears he got the basic tenets of each system from a proponent of that system, to be sure he wasn't misrepresenting it: [EDIT: I take that back; I'm not sure he had a dispensationalist original source.]
I found it in two places (didn't compare to see if they were identical):
http://pressiechurch.org/Theol_1/a_comparison_of_three_systems.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/DeafPreterist/compare.html
The Counterpoints "Four Views" series would be a good place to look, but I don't know if they've got one on this issue. There are only three views, anyway...
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I'm not sure you find much in the way of one resource.
Here's a book that I haven't read, Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church, but it seems to be somewhat along the lines of what you might be interested in:
http://www.amazon.com/Dispensationalism-Israel-Church-Craig-Blaising/dp/0310346118That book's stated purposes (from the Amazon description):
"- To offer a contemporary dispensational treatment of that relationship
through an exegetical examination of key texts with a focus on
theological concerns
- To foster genuine dialogue with
nondispensational thinkers regarding major biblical themes tied to the
plan of God
- To identify the changes in dispensational thought that
have developed since the publication of Charles Ryrie's book
Dispensationalism Today in 1965"The classic Dispensational resource is Ryrie's Dispensationalism (aka Dispensationalism Today), included in this collection:
http://www.logos.com/products/details/4416A good primer to Covenant Theology would be Michael Horton's Introducing Covenant Theology:
http://www.amazon.com/Introducing-Covenant-Theology-Michael-Horton/dp/080107195Xand also Robertson's The Christ of the Covenants:
http://www.amazon.com/Christ-Covenants-O-Palmer-Robertson/dp/0875524184MacBook Pro (2019), ThinkPad E540
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Here are some books in my logos library that deal with your theme, but I have not read most of them
- Continuity and Discontinuity--Feinberg
- Israeloglogy:The missing Link in Systematic Theology--Fruchtenbaum
- There really is a Difference!--Showers
- Progressive Dispensationalism--Blaising/Bock
It appears that most of these books are written by proponents of their own system, so how "balanced" they are depends. I have not read any of them yet. I have read the 5 views one, I mentioned earlier.
I myself am not a dispensationalist, as popularly defined. Not even sure I am "covenantal" either. But more the latter than the former. I have found (in print) Graeme Goldsworthy very helpful. Three of his older books are put into a trilogy: Gospel and Kingdom, Gospel and Revelation, Gospel and Wisdom. He also has a book, "According to Plan" that does look specifically at hermeneutics, as well as an over view of the different dispensations . . . periods, and how they hang together, or don't.
If you haven't, read in several Theology Dictionaries or Encyclopedias to get an overview of them. It's a touchy subject for many!
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
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Here's a Logos resource that looks very helpful:
Continuity and Discontinuity: Perspectives on the Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments
http://www.logos.com/products/details/2914Here's the blurb: "In Continuity and Discontinuity, thirteen noted evangelical theologians discuss, fairly and clearly, the continuity/discontinuity debate in regard to six basic categories: theological systems, hermeneutics, salvation, the Law of God, the people of God, and kingdom promises. Covering much more than the differences between Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism, this work of distinguished evangelical scholarship will fuel much profitable study and discussion."
I have this resource (it came with Portfolio) and all of Part 2 is about unpacking the two major theological systems: one embracing continuity (Covenant Theology) and one embracing discontinuity (Dispensationalism).
The Table of Contents of the book is here: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Continuity-and-Discontinuity/John-S-Feinberg/e/9780891074687#TOC
The contributors include lots of "who's who" names:
- John S. Feinberg, editor and contributor for this book, is Associate Professor and Chairman of the department of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
- Rodney Petersen is Adjunct Professor of Human Development and International Relations at Webster University, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Willem VanGemeren is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary.
- O. Palmer Robertson, formerly of Covenant Theological Seminary, is Pastor of Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church.
- Paul Feinberg is Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
- Fred H. Klooster is Professor of Systematic Theology at Calvin Theological Seminary.
- Allen P. Ross is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Semitics and Old Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.
- Knox Chamblin is Associate Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary.
- Douglas J. Moo is Associate Professor and chairman of the Department of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
- Marten. H. Woudstra is Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary.
- Robert L. Saucy is Professor of Systematic Theology at Talbot Theological Seminary.
- Bruce K. Waltke is Professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary.
- Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. is Academic Dean and Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
While most of these are covenant types, the chapter on dispensationalism is done by the editor of the whole book, Feinberg, who says:
"Historically, evangelical theologies have emphasized more the continuity between the Testaments, but that does not mean there have been no discontinuity systems. In comparing my discontinuity/dispensational system to other more traditional ones, one would probably think it much closer to continuity systems than dispensational systems usually are, and I agree. My concern is not the label attached to my views, but that certain key concepts be emphasized. Since the six items set forth (however nuanced) are distinctive and foundational to all dispensational systems, I consider myself a dispensationalist."
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http://www.logos.com/products/details/2914 (continuity/discontinuity)
http://www.logos.com/ebooks/details/ISRAELOLOGY (Fruchtenbaum)
http://www.logos.com/ebooks/details/diffrnc (There really IS a difference)
Here is a theologian who is neither, and he discusses both in a chapter on Ecclesiology (continuity/discontinuity with Israel/Church). he also looks at eschatology and Dispensationalism)
http://www.logos.com/products/details/4560 (Faith Once for All, Jack Cottrell)
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
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Rosie Perera said:
Continuity and Discontinuity: Perspectives on the Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments
http://www.logos.com/products/details/2914I have come to really appreciate this forum!! Thanks so much for all the recommendations. The resource sited above seems to closely fit what I was looking for.
Thanks again & blessing in Jesus!! [:)]
EDIT: Just purchased the above from Logos - waiting for the download to L4!!
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Here is a book with a Calvary chapel perspective. Norman Geislers systematic theology . This is the systematic theology set they use for the bible college
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I would also recommend Understanding Dispensationalism by Poythress, Verns (not yet available in Logos format). it is a very irenic examination of Dispensationalism from a Covenant Theology viewpoint by someone who actually listened to dispensationalist arguments (he spent some time at Dallas Theological Seminary studying primary sources and interacting with key figures of Dispensationalism).
the result is a very fair interaction between both views. He does a good job underlying the source of the difference between the view (that is, the question of hermeneutics and the presuppositions one brings to the text).
It is also important to differentiate between Classical and Progressive Dispensationalism (the latter has more in common with non-dispensationalist theologies like Covenant Theology because of they share more commonality when it comes to hermeneutics and the very important topic of the interpretation of the Old Testament in the New). Although they have common tenets as a subset of Dispensationalism, arguments that are used for or against Classical Dispensationalism does not necessarily work for or against Progressive Dispensationalism ad vice versa.
Alain
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