Theological systems are interesting things. Everyone has one, even if you don’t know it, and we naturally try to maintain our system of thought when faced with an idea or fact that seems to challenge its consistency. These systems are human inventions which attempt to make sense of a whole mass of spiritual truths, which can come from a variety of sources. While there are certain truths which can be discovered through the use of the senses (cf. Rom. 1:18-20), the primary source of truth about God and his works is his word.
That being said, the Bible does not present these truths in a systematic fashion, but reveals them gradually through various types of literature and in a whole host of different circumstances. This requires every Bible-believing Christian to do the hard work of trying to make sense of them and their implications, and to do so in a way that neither misrepresents God nor contradicts his reasonable nature.
On one hand, whatever system you use must be coherent and consistent with itself and with the specific statements of God’s word. But we must also admit that our man-made systems will fall short of encompassing all that God has said about himself and his works. We may at times be forced to choose the least bad option or simply to accept that we have come to the limit of our understanding on a particular subject.
Recently, I have been reading a little book by Charles Ryrie which argues for one particular theological system entitled The Basis of the Premillennial Faith. In it, he explains very briefly the three major systems of interpretation that are followed by conservatives who believe the Bible is truly God’s word.
- Premillennialism ? The second coming of Christ follows a period of tribulation, and the Lord will establish his kingdom on earth for a thousand years during which all of the promises to Israel will be fulfilled.
- Postmillennialism ? The second coming of Christ follows a thousand years of peace and righteousness (this number may be understood literally or symbolically), after which the Lord will come to judge the world and usher in the eternal state.
- Amillennialism ? The church is the kingdom and is reigning or ought to be reigning now, as Satan was bound during the earthly ministry of Christ. The millennium corresponds to this present age, and must be understood symbolically rather than as a literal thousand years.
While these systems may appear at first glance to deal only with eschatology (the doctrine of last things), each has significant implications on how one interprets the Scriptures. This is especially true in regard to how the Old Testament relates to the New and how the covenants between God and men are to be understood and fulfilled. Ryrie, as his title suggests, holds to premillennialism.
Instead of giving a detailed summary of the book’s contents, I will try to offer a brief overview of his argumentation here. Ryrie makes seven arguments for the premillennial system: history, hermeneutics (the science and art of interpretation), the Abrahamic covenant, the Davidic covenant, the new covenant, ecclesiology (the doctrine of the church), and eschatology.
The argument from history is simply that believers have held and defended premillennialism since the very earliest days of the church. Beginning with the letter by Clement of Rome and writings such as The Didache and The Shepherd of Hermas, Ryrie demonstrates that from the late first century to the present day pastors and theologians have held the premillennial system.
The argument from hermeneutics is that we should interpret Scripture according to the normal use of language, studying words and phrases in context, and comparing Scripture with Scripture. This is true not only for Biblical narratives and letters but also poetry and prophecy, and when we do so consistently, we will naturally arrive at the premillennial position.
The argument from the covenant with Abraham recognizes that God made a series of unconditional promises which began to be fulfilled literally in the life of the patriarch. Since they have not yet been fulfilled in their entirety, we should expect them to be completed in the future according to their normal sense.
The argument from the Davidic covenant starts with promises made to David and to his son, Solomon. Interpreters of each system generally agree that the fulfillment of this covenant is only and ultimately in Christ as the true and final Davidic king. This covenant is confirmed not only in the Psalms and the prophets, but also in the New Testament as yet to be fulfilled, so premillennialists look to Christ’s second coming, when he will set up his kingdom and rule from David’s throne as promised.
The argument from the new covenant is that God promised to make another covenant with the houses of Israel and Judah. This covenant is not being fulfilled during this present age. Instead, the church is experiencing its own “new covenant,” one that is similar yet distinct from that promised to Israel, which will be fulfilled in the kingdom.
The argument from ecclesiology is that the church age is an interval of time inserted in God’s program for Israel. The church is a mystery not foreseen in the OT and revealed only in New Testament times and constituting a distinct body of saints. Natural Israel remains natural Israel, even as some Jews accept Christ and are translated into the church.
Finally, the argument from eschatology traces the Biblical data concerning the Tribulation and the Millennium to show that the premillennial system uses consistent principles of interpretation without contradicting the plain teaching of the Bible. While not every premillennialist agrees on the details of these major end-time events, the system as a whole is shown to be well-supported by Scripture and to make good sense of the evidence of God’s word.
Ryrie concludes his book with this summarizing statement: “…underlying it all is the very nature of God Himself in that what He has plainly spoken He will do, and what He has assuredly promised He will perform. This is the basis of the premillennial faith.”
Thanks for this