The Refreshing Nature of the Old Testament
Though I’ve read particular Old Testament (OT) books many times over, I can probably count on one hand the times I’ve read consecutively from Genesis to Malachi. In the few years since God so graciously moved me to the theology of the Reformers and Puritans of old I must say that reading the Old Testament has been, in fact, new. In retrospect of my pre-Reforming days I confess shock and shame at the apparent flippancy and carelessness with which I read and interpreted the OT Scriptures.
I’m certain that most of my spurious OT reading habits and hermeneutic were a product of the semi-Dispensational lens through which I viewed God’s Word. I say semi because I was never much exposed to the term Dispensationalism, much less did I know what it meant in the scheme of hermeneutics and systematic theology. like most growing up in the typical, inconsistent-Arminian (Only holding to the “P” in T.U.L.I.P.) Southern Baptist environment, it was my understanding that to be a Bible-believing, conservative Christian was to believe that ethnic Jews were God’s Chosen People, but because of their rejection of Christ as Messiah, they’ve been put temporarily on hold (as a Nation, that is). Someday though, I believed and was taught to believe, God is going to go back and make His people (as a Nation) right again.
Flowing from this idea, then, there has to be a distinction made between Israel and the Church. Thus, necessitating a secret rapture in which the Church is taken out of this world, follwed by a time of great tribulation for those who’ve been left behind. This will result in the conversion of the Jews back to God, but in a proper sense where they now recognize Jesus as Messiah. While the rest of the world, including saved Gentiles and Jews, suffers this time of seemingly unbearable tribulation, the Church, having been raptured, is already in paradise, enjoying all the good tastes of eternity.
Now, this post is not intended to be a synopsis of the Dispensational hermeneutic. It’s not really even to give a direct critique thereof. I just wanted to briefly mention it to show how my past interpretation of God’s Word, particularly the Old Testament, was colored and determined by the the whole fallacious Church/Israel distinction as set forth by the Dispensational ideology. With this erroneous understanding came a failure to see and appreciate the continuity and parallels between the Old and New Testaments. Because of this, quite a bit of richness and instruction for my very own sanctifiation were glossd over. If all of Scripture points to Christ (and it does!), then more than I care to admit was missed in my earlier readings of God’s Word.
I’m unable to pinpoint a time, but I’d say I’ve believed in the Doctrines of Grace (T.U.L.I.P.) for about five years now. I’ve been rid of my semi-dispensationalism for close to three and a half years. This process, I’d say, has immensely transformed the grid through which I now read the OT Scriptures or, for that matter, the whole Bible. In my non reforming days, little emphasis was placed on the types and shadows of the OT which pointed to Christ. Sure, there were lots of moral stories that could be identified and applied from the recounts of David and Goliath, Joseph, Moses and the Children of Israel; but there was little understanding as to what in these books were pointing the overarching Object of Faith in all of Scripture: the Lord Jesus Christ.
This year, I’ve been going through the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan, and I heartily recommend it. It’s invaluable to have a consistent reading plan by which one can get the bigger picture of Scripture. That’s not to say you can’t read the Scriptures in other ways. Anyway, it is a hermeneutical epiphany when one first reads through the OT from the Reformed Worldview. Considering Adam, the Fall, and the promise made in Genesis 3:15 takes on such a richer and more meaningful role. It is in this first preaching of the Gospel that we see God’s plan is from beginning to end, and is not due for interruption. All of the situations and circumstances which appear to be quirks, are really just the intricate works of God’s decree being executed. All that to say this: I am thankful for God’s Word. I am thankful that God has one plan, and it’s the one He’s carrying out. It’s the one that will not fail. It’s the one that has no hiccups, interruptions, and that cannot, nor will not be thwarted. Read your Bible.
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I am in this kind of church. In-between, not daring to boldly claim TULIP, yet almost there, plus dispensational.
I have my own thoughts, more and more towards amill, and definitely Reformed, but because we really have good expository teaching from our pastor, I sit put. Anyway, there is no other church to go to…
Your post is very interesting. Thank you.
Mrs. Ann, I was in the circumstance of which you speak for some time. However, it was minus the “good expository teaching”. God is faithful, and puts us circumstantially where He wants us. I pray that He’ll lead you and yours to a Reformed Church soon. Nevertheless, His will be done.