Featured Dispensationalism

HD: "Please proceed with the evidence that a pre-trib rapture was taught anywhere in church history before the 1830s. I'm still waiting. I'd be happy to see it and learn."

Ps-Ephraem Syrus, 7th century AD:

"For all the saints and the elect of God are gathered prior to the tribulation that is to come. They are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins."

—The Byzantine Apocalyptic Tradition (U. Of Calif. Press, 1985, p. 210).

 

You are right about "church" history. History is always written by victors in carnal/secular warfare, What are called "churches" in history are organisations that have usurped power. The true church, comprising faithful believers is usually outside the organised churches, and its humble members are persecuted. If they write their own history, their books have been burned, or confiscated and hidden in the Vatican library.

No. The number one identify of the true church is preaching the Gospel of repentance and baptism into Christ.

 

Why does not the word of God call the Gospel that?

 

Why didn't Jesus or the apostles teach it? They taught the exact opposite.

 

I think this has become the Pseudo-Puritan Board.

 

HD : "The reason why it's called "Pseudo-Ephraem" is because Ephraem himself didn't write it. Is this the best evidence you have?"

No question it was wrongly attributed to Ephraem Syrus, who died in AD 373 (4th century). As pointed out in my post, the material quoted was written sometime in the 7th century AD,— which itself shows that the position was held within church history *before* AD 1830 (which was your challenge to find, right?). I rest my case.

 

Given the lengthy quote, it is hardly something that could be taken "out of context".

And yes, I trust the scholars and the university press that published their work to have passed sufficient peer review.

Are you just unhappy to find a 7th century source predating your 1830 cutoff?

 

The book can be read online. Search for it. The author was Paul Alexander, late professor at Berkeley. Book then edited by Prof. Dorothy Abrahamse (Cal State, Long Beach). Neither had any theological axe to grind regarding the point being made by Ps-Ephraem or any other apocalyptic writer cited.

Are you *seriously* charging a reputable scholar with having taken the quote out of context to somehow suit his agenda? And all this just because it doesn't fit your preferred theological/historical narrative? Really?

My point was simple: to show the view was held by at least one person prior to 1830, which was your challenge. That has been done.

 

My experience with foes of Dispensationalism is that they tend to get all of their information from other foes of Dispensationalism and shy away from checking out the sources themselves. With that in mind I feel this is a waste of time but in defense of the faith I proceed...

Two books I have and really like. The first is titled Ancient Dispensational Truth 2018 James C. Morris This is an informative 139 pager where he gives in context quotes for several ECFs prior to 400 AD that indicate a "Dispensational" understanding. Among them are Irenaeus, Tertullian, Cyprian, Jerome, Agustin and Crysostem.

Dispensationalism Before Darby - Seventeenth-Century and Eighteenth-Century English Apocalypticism 2015 William C. Watson. The fact that this well researched book has been around for 6 years and has been ignored by reformed A-MILS/Post Mils is all the proof that one needs to state that those who repeat that Dispensationalism is a 19th century invention are simply uninformed and happy to be so.

 

I would like to say that you should quit while you still have your dignity but it appears that your train has already left the station.

 

1 Corinthians 9:17 or if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Colossians 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

administration (of a household or estate); specifically a (religious) "economy": - dispensation stewardship.