The teaching that there is no literal 1000 year reign of Christ as referenced in Revelation 20. It sees the 1000 year period spoken of in Revelation 20 as figurative. Instead, it teaches that we are in the millennium now, and that at the return of Christ (1 Thess. 4:16 - 5:2) there will be the final judgment and the heavens and the earth will then be destroyed and remade (2 Pet. 3:10).
Antinomianism (an-ti-no-me-an-ism)
refers to teachings and people that hate gnomes.... No! Actually the word “comes from the Greek words ‘anti’ which [in this case] means ‘against’ and ‘nomos’ which means ‘law’ and signifies opposition to law. It refers to the teaching that the moral law is not binding upon Christians as a rule of life2.”
The biblical law consisted of 3 parts, the civil, the ceremonial and the moral law. These were all fulfilled in Christ whose righteousness is imputed to all true believers. The civil and ceremonial laws existed primarily as types and shadows which pointed forward to the coming Messiah. Now that the antitype, the Messiah, has come the types and shadows are retired and we look back to Christ thorough baptism and communion. Thus these aspects of the law are not generally followed by Christians now. The moral law, however, remains the standard and quality of the life believers are saved unto (Eph 2:10). For the moral law is the revealed character of Christ into whose likeness we are being conformed by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.
Antinomianism is not the teaching that we are saved by grace through faith and not by works. Antinomianism teaches that since all has been fulfilled in Christ there is no longer a standard of living to which we should adhere and that every man in Christ is a law unto himself. Thus the Christian is “free” to continue living in sin and Christ is bound by the law of grace to forgive the unrepentant professor of faith.
Apocalypse:
Literally an unveiling, that is, a revealing of a person or thing in its true character. Synonymous to revelation, and an alternate title for the book of Revelation. Because of its association with the “end of the world,” apocalypse is sometimes used to denote a radical destruction or purge.
Christian Zionism or Restorationism
is a view held by some Christians especially Dispensationalists that people of Jewish decent are entitled by divine covenant and prophetic promises to all the land promised to Abraham in Genesis 15. It is further held that they must and will eventually have a rebuilt temple (where the Muslim dome currently stands) and re-instituted sacrifices. This vew has played and significant roll in the restoration of Jews to the area of their forefathers homeland. It is sometimes asserted that Israel has every right to wipe out anyone who stands in the way of this restoration and that anyone who is opposing the nation of Israel is opposing Gods chosen people and therefore opposing God, who will, according to Gen 12:3, “...bless those who bless [Israel], and... will curse him who curses [Israel]...”
Cosmogenic:
Cosmos refers to the universe or the whole of existence. genic refers to origin. Thus Cosmogenic refers to the origin of the universe.
Dispensationalism:
A system of theology (formally) developed and popularized in 1830 by John Nelson Darby of the Plymouth Brethren. In the Scofield Reference Bible a dispensation is "a period of time during which man is tested in respect of obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God" Dispensationalism says that God uses different means of administering His will and grace to His people. These different means coincide with different periods of time. Scofield says there are seven dispensations: of innocence, of conscience, of civil government, of promise, of law, of grace, and of the kingdom. Dispensationalists interpret the scriptures in light of these (or other perceived) dispensations.
Central to this view is the idea that Gods work and relationship with the nation of Israel is separate and distinct from the work and relationship He has with the gentile church. In the Old Testament God made certain promises to the nation of Israel which have not yet been fulfilled. When Christ came and was rejected by the nation of Israel God put his covenant with them on hold and began a new and different work with the gentile nations. When that work is finished He will again return to his work with a restored Israel. It is believed that their ultimate destinies in Gods plan are different as well. Some view the nation of Israel as being Gods eternal earthly people and the church being the eternal heavenly people.
Another central idea is the literal interpretation of scripture, meaning that everything in scripture ought to be taken as literally as possible unless it is otherwise designated or absolutely cannot be so interpreted. Thus dispensationalism must hold to a futurist view of the end times as such things that happen in revelation (like a third of the sea turning to blood killing a third of the fish and sinking a third of the ships in revelation 16) have never literally happened in human history.
Dispensation
The English word dispensation has a variety of meanings all of which pertain primarily to the act of dispensing or dealing something out. It also refers to a plan or system of administration or the office of an administrator as a manager.
Theologically it can refer to the distribution of good and evil by God to man or, more generically, the acts and modes of His administration; the divine ordering of the affairs of creation (I had to read this definition a couple of times before it made sense).
The English word ‘dispensation’ appears in 1Cor 9:17; Eph 1:10; 3:2, 9; and Col. 1:25 where it translates the Greek word ‘Oikonomia.’ Oikonomia is also translated ‘stewardship’ in Luke 16:2-4. Bakers Dictionary of Theology says “Charles Hodge” [whoever he is] “points out the double use of the word: (1) with respect to one in authority, it means a plan or scheme; (2) with respect to one under authority, it means a stewardship or administration. The theological interest of the term belongs to the former of these uses. When God is the Dispenser the term dispensation refers to the purpose he has in view and the way he intends to execute it.” so you may be wondering, like me, how this all relates to C. I. Scofield’s definition of dispensationalism. According to vines, who mostly agrees with baker: “A ‘dispensation’ is not a period or epoch (a common, but erroneous, use of the word), but a mode of dealing, an arrangement, or administration of affairs... ” it seems to me that Darby and Scofield (assuming they, being a lawyer and a scholar, had a fair grasp of what the word dispensation meant) must have been referring more so to the system of God’s administration of grace in a given time period and less to the actual passage of time. But that is pure speculation on my part.
It is important to note that neither reformed theology nor dispensationalism are monolithic. These views are multifaceted and there exist within each camp a variety of differing views. The general definition above reflect generic historical definitions and do not speak to all the particulars of even the commonly perceived views.
Dual-Covenant theology
is a teaching which actually comes out of Judaism. It says that Jews are saved by “simply” keeping the Mosaic law and covenant. Gentiles on the other hand will be saved if they keep the Noahic covenant (the covenant made with Noah) or become Christian. Some Jewish Scholars have even suggested that this was Jesus and Paul’s message and purpose in evangelism and why the early church targeted a gentile audience. This, of course, fly’s in the face of the clear teachings of scripture that there is only one way to the Father whether one is a Jew or a Gentile (that being through Jesus the Jewish Messiah). This teaching has at times been associated with Dispensationalism. And though it may seem to be compatible with dispensationalism it is NOT compatible with Christianity. A dispensationalist which holds to this view has put himself out of orthodox bounds.
Eschatology:
The study of the teachings in the Bible concerning the end times, or of the period of time dealing with the return of Christ and the events that follow. Eschatological subjects include the Resurrection, the Rapture, the Tribulation, the Millennium, the Binding of Satan, the two witnesses, the Final Judgment, Armageddon, and The New Heavens and the New Earth.
Eisegesis (ice-a-je-sis)
is the method where by one imposes their own preconceived ideas onto a passage; ideas that differ from the intended meaning of the passage.
Exegesis (Ex-a-je-sis)
is the method where by one draws the intended meaning out of a passage; in order to discover what the author was trying to say.
Existentialism:
Has to do with our existence. It is unconcerned with ethereal ideas and tends to overemphasizes the value of our experience. With relation to modernism and post modernism it is often the method where by one discerns what is moral or valuable. Very much more can and will be said, this is a particularly difficult and nebulous ism to describe, but for now this will do.
Futurism:
A theory which came out to the 16th century catholic church as it reacted the reformers historicist view of eschatology and the assertion that the pope was the Anti-Christ. It was eventually introduced into protestant circles in 1827 by Samuel Matiland and later popularized by John Darby in 1830 and on. It is the view that most of the events of Revelation, and the 70th week of Daniel 9, are to be fulfilled sometime in the future. Futurists generally believe that an individual will appear on the world stage who will usurp the place of Christ as the head of the Church. This individual, they anticipate, will deceive many people into believing that he is some kind of messiah. He will become a world-leader, and through his influence persecute Christians and Jews for a period of time. This person, futurists believe will be the Anti-Christ.
- Some Futurists believe that Christ will return at the beginning of Anti-Christ's reign to rescue the faithful Christians and take them to heaven so that they are spared the seven years of "great tribulation." After these seven years Christ will return to earth with His saints to destroy Anti-Christ and establish His Kingdom on earth to last a thousand years.
- The other main view of Futurism holds that Christians will not be spared from the tribulation under the Anti-Christ. These Futurists believe that Christ will only return to rescue His Church and destroy the Anti-Christ at the end of seven years of persecution. Most Christians today hold one of these two Futurist views.
Hermeneutics (Hur-ma-new-tics)
Is often defined as “The art and science of biblical interpretation.” Actually, it can and should be applied to all forms of literature, but it is typically associated with the study of scriptures. It is the process where by one may properly draw out the intended meaning of a given passage. It has been said that “it is a science in that certain rules apply and it is an art in that the more you do it the better you get at it1.”
Historicism:
Historicism is the view that most of Revelation describes history as it has been unfolding over the last 20 centuries. This view united all Protestants throughout the Reformation and has largely been replaced by Futurism as the dominant eschatology (belief about the end-times) of evangelical Christians. To put it another way, Historicism is the method of interpreting Biblical prophecy by comparing history to the prophecy in question. Historicists believe that prophecy is history pre-written. Therefore prophecy can be understood by looking to the past to discover what has, and hasn't, been fulfilled. Historicism, as a school of thought, like futurism, contains many differing opinions as to details of prophetic interpretation.
Idealism (also called the spiritual approach)
An interpretation of Revelation that sees all of the imagery of the book as non-literal symbols. These symbols are perpetually and cyclically fulfilled in a spiritual sense during the conflict between the Kingdom of God and the forces of Satan throughout the time from the first advent to the Second Coming of Christ. As such it is distinct from Preterism, Futurism and Historicism in that it does not see any of the prophecies (except in some cases the Second Coming, and Final Judgment) as being fulfilled in a literal, physical, earthly sense either in the past, present or future.
Millennium:
Literally, this word means 1000 years. In the study of end time doctrines the millennium is the period of time of Christ's rulership. The debate has been over when the millennium will take place and what form will it actually be. The terms that have arisen out of this debate are as follows.
Post-millennialism:
The teaching that through the preaching of the word of God, the entire world will be converted to Christianity and this will usher in the kingdom of Christ. This is when Christ will return.
Postmodernism
A philosophical backlash against modernism that holds to an extreme form of skepticism. This is a complicated and illusive ideology which is not so much a comprehensive world view as it is a cynical philosophical mood. Some of the basic tenants of this view are as follows.
-None of us think independently, without bias; we have all been molded by our culture to think in certain ways.
-You cannot judge (pronounce wrong) the thoughts, ideas of actions of another culture or another person because his or her idea of reality is different from yours.
-Each person’s reality is in his or her own mind. You construct your own reality. Whatever is real to you is your reality.
-None of us can “prove” anything, whether we use science history or any other set of facts.
One of the most powerful and dangerous characteristic of the post modern mind is an absolute dedication to its concept of tolerance. To be tolerant in the traditional sense is to see a difference between what a person things or does (which you may not necessarily think is right) and the person himself. While you treat that person with respect you are also free to say how he things talks or acts is wrong and, in your opinion, should be changed. Today the new definition of tolerance... gives all values and beliefs equal respect and [denies] categorically that there is any such thing as a “hierarchy of truth.”
Pre-millennialism:
The teaching that the millennium is yet future where Christ will rule and reign over the earth. At the beginning of the millennium Satan and his angels will be bound and peace will exist on the entire earth. At the end of the 1000 years Satan will be released in order to raise an army against Jesus. Jesus will destroy them and then the final judgment will take place with the new heavens and the new earth being made. There are several applications of this term:
- The popular Dispensational view is that the church will be raptured by Jesus Christ prior to the start of a seven year Tribulation period mentioned in Revelation - also prior to the millennium. This belief is pre-tribulation, pre-millennial.
- The church is raptured (taken away to heaven) by Jesus Christ half way through the seven year Tribulation period mentioned in Revelation - also prior to the millennium. This belief is mid-tribulation, pre-millennial.
Preterism:
Also a view which came out to the 16th century catholic church as it reacted the reformers historicist view of eschatology and the assertion that the pope was the Anti-Christ, though some trace elements of a Preterist view back as far as the early 4th century in the writings of Eusebius. It is a variant of Christian eschatology which holds that most or all of the biblical prophecies concerning the Last Days or End Times refer to events which already happened in the first century after Christ's birth.
- Full Preterism: All of Christian prophecy was fulfilled in the first century, including the return of Christ and the resurrection of believers. The resurrection is interpreted to mean receiving a spiritual body after death, with no promise of a physical resurrection for any besides Christ (this view falls outside the pale of orthodoxy and is generally considered to be a heresy.)
- Partial Preterism: Most of prophecy was fulfilled in the first century, except Christ's return then was as a judge of Israel, but not his final literal coming. He is still to return and literally raise the believing dead.
Reformed or Covenant theology.:
A system of theology which came out of the Protestant Reformation and views God's dealings with man in respect of covenants. It represents the whole of scripture as covenantal in structure and theme.
Generally 3 chief covenants are distinguished.
The first is the ‘Covenant of Redemption’ where from all eternity the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are in perfect unity and cooperation as they implement the work of redemption. The second is ‘The Covenant of Works’ which was established between Adam and Eve and God in the garden where God set up a law and a consequence (Genesis 2:15-17) and by obedience to the law Adam and Eve and their progeny would be justified. As it happened Adam and Eve (and their children) broke that covenant.
Thus The Third covenant is ‘The Covenant of Grace’ given to man in the promise of the messiah which is reiterated to the various patriarchs down through the ages until it finds its culmination and maturation in the “New Covenant” made in the blood of Christ. This view holds that there is only one people of God, the true Israel, which is now the Church, since national Israel rejected Jesus as their Messiah.
Rapture:
The rapture is an eschatological (end times) event whereupon the return of Christ the true believers who are "alive and remain shall be caught up together with them [those who already died as Christians] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air..." (1 Thess. 4:17). This is the time of the resurrection where the Christian receives his resurrected body
Secular Humanism or Modernism
A Philosophy born of the renaissance, reared through the so called “Enlightenment” era becoming dominant until about World War 2 when its basic tenants came to full maturity and manifested itself in the most cruel and unusual forms of carnage the world has seen, namely the holocaust and the development and use of weapons of mass destruction.
This view sought to dethrone God by declaring him dead then setting mankind at the center of everything. It states clearly that “Man is the measure of all things.” The earliest version of this view was deistic (meaning that it held to there being a God which created and wound up the universe like a clock and then took off and we haven’t seen him since). Later this view was discarded in favor of Darwinian evolution and the notion that the universe is actually eternal.
Modernism put its hope and faith in the power of scientific discoveries, technological developments, and social programs to lead man kind into utopia where all mankind exists harmoniously with one another and with the natural universe. It saw mankind as “essentially good” but often corrupted by culture. Man’s purpose was the development of the human personality in this life which is all there is. Because there is no God in this view there is no objective way to determine what is, true, moral, valuable, or useful. The only ethical standard is human experience and experimentation. In short there can be no moral absolutes, no true right and wrong. After World War 2 post modernism began to gain a significant following both in the halls of academia and in the arts and the media and has since become prominent.
Skepticism:
Essentially it is the belief that ultimate truths (like whether there is a God or a heaven or hell or even an afterlife or what is truly right or wrong) are ultimately unknowable.
Systematic theology:
The organization of biblical theology (those truths which have been drawn from the scriptures) based on the belief that the mind of God is coherent and orderly and therefore his truth will be also. Some have a negative view of systematic theology and distinguish it from biblical theology. Generally the fear is that a presupposed system is being foisted upon scripture to make it say something it doesn’t. There are systems of theology that do this but the idea of systematic theology is that once the truths of scripture have been drawn out they should fit together and form a system of truth which is coherent so that details can be understood in the broader context of the big picture.
(The Great) Tribulation:
According to pre-millennialism, this is a seven year period that immediately precedes the return of Christ and the millennial kingdom of His rule which lasts for 1000 years. It will be a time of great peace (the first 3 years) and great war (the second 3 years) when the Anti-Christ rules over many nations. The second half of the tribulation is called the Great Tribulation. It will involve the whole world (Rev. 3:10). There will be catastrophes all over the world. (See Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 17.)
Types and Antitypes
A type of something is always understood in relation to its antitype. A type is a model or pattern of some greater reality (usually manifested in the form of something like an event, a person or a practice). The antitype then is the greater reality to which the type points. Just as a shadow points to something which obstructs the light so too an type points to an antitype. A good example is the Old Testament civil and ceremonial laws (the types) which pointed to the coming Christ (the antitype).
__________
The above article and definitions are a mix of various teachers, books, web sites and my own understandings. The following were my primary contributors.
People:
Steve Gregg
Hank Haneagraaff
John MacArther
Stewart Mc Alister
C. I. Scofield
Chuck Smith
R. C. Sproul
R. C. Sproul Jr.
Ravi Zacharias
Books:
Bakers Dictionary of Theology (Article on “dispensation” by Alexander M. Renwick).
Fritz Ridenours (Who Defines Modernism and Postmodernism in His Book “So What’s the Difference?” )
Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words
Webster’s New International Dictionary Second Addition
Websites:
Wikipedia.com
Historist.com
and various other websites I can’t remember now. Hey I’m a GED not a Ph D.
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