Dispensationalism Before Darby & Other Thoughts

I've previously mentioned and reviewed Dr. William Watson's book Dispensationalism Before Darby. He was recently interviewed by Mike Spaulding of Soaring Eagle Radio.

As expected, several pretrib skeptics - and one UK blogger (see addendum below) - have tried to diminish his work. From their objections and comments, it's obvious they haven't read the book. It's important to note that Watson's work was never intended to prove pre-Darby pretribulationism as we know it today. However, he clearly shows how others before Darby began thinking along similar lines re "dispensations", Israel and various rapture models. Those who use the "recent origin" or "Darby invented it" criticisms of pretribulationism ought to consider that their understanding of the 70th week is also fairly modern.

As a side note, Dr. Watson makes some interesting brief comments regarding the mid-trib rapture. Though I disagree with it, I often wonder why this view hasn't got more supporters.

He tells us that there's more historical data mining being done. Expect more material from earlier centuries emerging in a new book by Dr. Watson, and at least one other scholar. Listen to the interview HERE

Along the same lines, I recently did some more ax grinding. It's almost inevitable that eschatology draws heated passion and debate. Why?

Even one of my favorite writers (Sinclair Ferguson) has indulged in a little dig at pretrib. That said, amillennialists like Ferguson generally avoid division. They regularly join hands with the likes of premil John MacArthur in their mutual love for Christ and the gospel. I appreciate that. On the other hand, some have dedicated their lives (or a good portion) to eradicating the "false teaching of pretribulationism." I really don't get it.

Finally, Thomas Ice and Paul Wilkinson spent some time responding to Joe Schimmel, Joel Richardson and Jacob Prasch's Left Behind or Led Astray? documentary. Some people will consider the rebuttal far too long and won't watch it. Others may harbor ill-conceived notions about John Darby which they'll want to hang onto. That would be a pity. As for length, LBLA went for over four hours. Now that's dedication for ya!

Fair minded people should watch this rebuttal to LBLA. Many of the ubiquitous accusations leveled at Darby are plain wrong. No, he didn't teach two ways of salvation. Yet this comes up time and time again. There is also some interesting material regarding the relationship between Darby, Newton and Tregelles. Some of this I was already aware of.

LBLA was a contradictory, error laden, and non-objective hit piece against Darby and pretribulationism. Watch the rebuttal HERE

See also Did Edward Irving Invent the Pre-Trib Rapture View?

Addendum:

My ax grinding article was also featured as an Omega Letter column. It resulted in a website contact form asking my opinion: "GFM's DVD Survives Paul Wilkinson's Attack" which I saw on Treena Gisborn's UK blog "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing."

Of course, Gisborn's blog is the one which I was referring to above. Unless people have a specific error in the rebuttal videos that Gisborn highlights, don't bother pointing to her blog here.