Msg#2534a Critique of Pentecost

Msg#2534a Critique of Pentecost

I recently re-reviewed Dr. Pentecost’s book’s “Section Two – The Biblical Covenants and Eschatology” pages 65-128 and want to reiterate every word of my previous critique of his book. Dr. Pentecost did take baby-steps away from his Presbyterian roots in Covenant and Replacement Theology but these were baby-steps connected to mere “theories” he connected to the Bible. In my critique I wrote:

When a theologian, a Th.D., a “distinguished professor of Bible exposition”, writes his magnum opus on Eschatology and gets one third into it before he puts forth a “theory” on “pretribulation rapturism”, then the sincere Bible student would be better served if he turned elsewhere to answer the question “What is Truth.” His “Chapter XIII The Pretribulation Rapture Theory” on page 193 does suppose that “pretribulation raptureism” alone rests on “the literal method of interpretation of Scripture”, but again, for him, it is only a theory. Further in the same breath, on the same page, J. Dwight Pentecost (1915-2014) declares with trepidation, “As a necessary adjunct to this, the pretribulationalist believes in a dispensational interpretation of the Word of God.”

These admissions of Dr. Pentecost show up in his 1958 book “Things to Come – A Study in Biblical Eschatology”. I mean no disrespect toward Dr. Pentecost, nor do I question or doubt his genius, integrity, and sincerity, but nowhere in his 600 pages does he profess to believe this literal interpretation of Scripture. Dr. Pentecost was a “distinguished professor of Biblical exposition” at Dallas Theological Seminary for 59 years, 1955-2014. He was an ordained Presbyterian Pastor who taught at Philadelphia College of the Bible for seven years previous,1948-1955. Under his mentor, Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer (1871-1952), founder and president of Dallas Theological Seminary, Dr. Pentecost was well versed in writing a doctrine book that could not offend any one of the 70+ denominations attending Dallas Theological Seminary.

The whole worthwhile critique can be read in “A Systematic Theology for the 21st Century Vol 11 Eschatology”, pg 433-438. And a more worthwhile “Chapter 5 Good Eschatology Requires Eight Covenants” will be found in its next revision. In the meantime find, download, and/or read my more thorough eschatology volume at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/theology . God Bless.

Dr. Ed Rice.

Another Essay for week #34, Aug 24, 25