Primer on Dispensationalism

by John H. Gerstner

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

Genres: Theology

38 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1982

About the author

John Henry Gerstner was a Professor of Church History at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Knox Theological Seminary and an authority on the life and theology of Jonathan Edwards.
He earned both a Master of Divinity of degree and a Master of Theology degree from Westminster Theological Seminary. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Harvard University in 1945. He was originally ordained in the United Presbyterian Church of North America, then (due to church unions) with the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Presbyterian Church (USA). In 1990, he left the PCUSA for the Presbyterian Church in America.

Gerstner counted among his students, noted author and preacher, R. C. Sproul, founder of Ligonier Ministries, Dr. Arthur Lindsley, Senior Fellow at the C.S. Lewis Institute, and Dr. Walter (Wynn) Kenyon, Professor of Biblical Studies and Philosophy; Chair of the Philosophy Department and Division of Ministry and Human Services at Belhaven University.

In addition to the books Gerstner had written, he also recorded several lengthy audio courses giving a survey of theology, church history, and Christian apologetics, which are distributed through Ligonier Ministries. Gerstner was non-dispensationalist.

In 1976, a Festschrift was published in Gerstner's honor. Soli Deo Gloria: Essays in Reformed Theology included contributions by Cornelius Van Til, J. I. Packer, Philip Edgecumbe Hughes, John Murray, R. C. Sproul, John Warwick Montgomery, and Roger Nicole.

Reviews

[Brian Pate · Rating 2 out of 5]

A scathing critique of Dispensationalism. While he lands some good punches, I did not find the booklet helpful for the following reasons:

1. Gerstner overstates. The whole counsel of God "which is indeed the Reformed system of theology" (p. 15)!

2. Even though this booklet was published in 1982, he seems to be reacting primarily to classic Dispensationalism.

3. He conflates conditional election and antinomianism with Dispensationalism. But I know many believers who are Calvinist and Dispensationalist.

4. He critiques Dispensationalism only from the vantage point of Covenant Theology.

This booklet will leave you dissatisfied with both Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology and longing for a more balanced and biblical approach. (Hint: Kingdom through Covenant.)

[elora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little introduction to dispensationalism from someone who was initially "converted by hearing the blood of Jesus from dispensational lips"
Lil excerpt:
"Dispensationalism divides rather than preserves the unity of the Bible. It divides the people of God. It divides predestination from the people of God. It divides salvation from the people of God. It divides the people of God into the endless future. These things are incompatible with a sound interpretation of the Bible. If nothing more than this is said, I believe this proves that dispensationalism is not a biblical doctrine but is, in fact, anti-biblical at its essential level."

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pamphlet on dispensationalism. It was helpful in understanding classical dispensationalism and the flaws in that traditions systematic and biblical theology. But, Gerstner’s tone would cause me not to refer it to anyone. I’d recommend Poythress work.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember it only a primer.. Dispensationism is an issue that many in my church and my family have pushed to a primary issue. I felt that the summary I had come to known was incomplete. So, I read this little booklet by a well known covenant theologian to get a better understanding. I was surprised when I found out how it was used in his life. Which is why he makes the case for dispelling the truth. Which this book does. It should not be a primer, it should be “just enough to get you to want to study it more.” While the 3 other eschatology views are hardly mentioned, Gerstner shows that dispensationalism is more than end times theology, and why it is also a threat to a proper understanding of the Gospel. It makes me what to see what else he has written on the topic.

[Jonathan Frank · Rating 2 out of 5]

Zu starke Sprache bei zu oberflächerlicher Argumentation.

[Rock Rockwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and easy to read. Dispensationalism is a recent phenomenom in the church (120 years) and now it dominates many mainline churches. Where did it come from? Why is it is so widely accepted today? Is it biblical? Can Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism work together, or are they mutually exclusive? A good book to get the history and understanding on Dispenstionalism.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful.

[Walt Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short overview on the issues separating dispensationalism and Reformed and Covenant Theology. It is worth the time to read, as it is a great introduction to the issues.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good.