"Not All of Israel Is Israel" by Greg L. Bahnsen

[Note: Although, as was pointed out to me recently, Dr. Bahnsen misquotes Romans 9:6-7 in the title of his article (The phrase actually reads: "For they are not all Israel who are of Israel..."), I believe the two phrases (the Biblical one and Bahnsen's phrase) are grammatically equivalent. That is, the word "is" is like an equal sign (=) in the construction of a sentence, and it doesn't matter which side of the word "is" the phrases "Israel" and "of Israel" are on. (Much like "five does not equal four" is equivalent to the phrase "four does not equal five.") So, the intra-Christian debate between dispensationalists and covenantalists rages on...]

I am posting Bahnsen's article from NiceneCouncil.com because it is such a valuable critique of the church in general, and dispensationalism in particular as a "view that [Bahnsen] believe[s] has made the church impotent in this latter half of the twentieth century." God will not lift His hand of temporal judgment from our nation until the church, the elect called out ones be they Jew or Gentile, in that nation submit to God's commands and obey. No nation will receive the blessings (prosperings and fruitfulness) of God, unless His people in that nation obey His word. The eye of the LORD is upon those who fear Him--His redeemed people, and in Christ shall all nations be blessed (see, for example, Deut. 7:9-10; Deut. 11; Deut. 28; Deut. 33:27-29; Josh. 22:4-5; Ps. 1; Ps. 33:10-20; Ps. 67; Ps. 94:11-13; Ps. 119:1-3; Matt. 5; Matt. 28:18-20; John 14:15-24; Lk. 11:20-22; Lk. 11:27-28; Romans 4; Rom. 12:20-21; 2 Cor. 10:5-6; Gal. 3; Eph. 1:1-10; James 1:25; 1 Pet. 3:8-10; 1 Jn. 2:14; 1 Jn 5; Rev. 2)

Not All of Israel Is Israel
by Greg L. Bahnsen

Introduction


Where does the blame lie for the mess that our culture is in? Are the "bleeding-heart liberals" or the government schools to blame? Not according to the Apostle's Peter and Paul. Why? Because judgment begins with the church, "For the time has come for the judgment to begin from the house of God. And if it first begins from us, what will be the end of those disobeying the Gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17). God will not demand the obedience of the nations until we, the church, are brought into obedience - "...bring[ing] into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ; and having readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Cor. 10:5-6).

So what does all this have to do with the subject matter? It is the endeavor of this writer to demonstrate from Scripture that we, the church, have departed from the orthodox view of Biblical Christianity for a view of theology that has broken continuity with history as well as the Word of God. In this article we will examine that view which I believe has made the church impotent in this latter half of the twentieth century - the view known as dispensationalism - and its teaching concerning the church and Israel. It is this author's intention to show from Scripture that the church (ekklesia) is, has and always will be the true Israel of God. And by our misunderstanding of that truth, we have brought the curses of the covenant upon our nation and our children’s' children...

Read more:
http://nicenecouncil.com/media/display.pl?media_file=75

"A Biblical Refutation of Dispensationalism" by A.W. Pink

FREE, on NiceneCouncil.com:

"Having written so much upon both the inspiration and the interpretation of Holy Writ, it is necessary, in order to give completeness unto the same, to supply one or two articles upon the application thereof. First, because this is very closely related to exegesis itself: if a wrong application or use be made of a verse, then our explanation of it is certain to be erroneous. For example, Romanism insists that 'Feed My sheep' (John 21:15-17) was Christ's bestowal upon Peter of a special privilege and peculiar honour, being one of the passages to which that evil system appeals in support of her contention for the primacy of that apostle. Yet there is nothing whatever in Peter's own writings which indicates that he regarded those injunctions of his Master as constituting him 'Universal Bishop.' Instead, in his first epistle there is plainly that to the contrary, for there we find him exhorting the elders or bishops, 'Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock' (v. 2, 3).

Thus it is quite clear from the above passage that Christ's precepts in John 21:15-17, apply or pertain unto all pastors. On the other hand, our Lord's words to Peter and Andrew, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men' (Matt. 4:19) do not apply to the rank and file of His disciples, but only unto those whom He calls into and qualifies for the ministry. That is evident from the fact that in none of the Epistles, where both the privileges and the duties of the saints are specifically defined, is there any such precept or promise. Thus, on the one hand, we must ever beware of unwarrantable restricting the scope of a verse; and, on the other hand, be constantly on our guard against making general what is manifestly particular. It is only by carefully taking heed to the general Analogy of Faith that we shall be preserved from either mistake. Scripture ever interprets Scripture, but much familiarity with the contents, and a diligent and prayerful comparing of one part with another, is necessary before anyone is justified in dogmatically deciding the precise meaning or application of any passage...."

Read more:
http://nicenecouncil.com/media/display.pl?media_file=16

More FREE articles (and a podcast) against dispensationalism (including critiques by Ken Gentry of the hermeneutics used in the system of dispensationalism) found here:
http://nicenecouncil.com/media/index.pl?browse_category_id=6

More FREE articles and other media at NiceneCouncil.com here:
http://nicenecouncil.com/media/