Customer Reviews

Case for Progressive Dispensationalism, The

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For those who want a clear and scholarly presentation of this "newer" type of dispensationalism (i.e., progressive dispensationalism) that has gained much ground within conservative evangelical circles should look to this book. Saucy's book is filled with the desire to be faithful to the Scriptures and to uphold God's glory. The book is divided into four main sections: 1) Introduction; 2) The Present Age and Old Testament Prophecy; 3) The Church in Salvation History; and 4) The Place of Israel. The first section deals with the differences between dispensationalism and non-dispensationalism. The main difference being the way "the historical plan and the goal of that plan through which God will bring eternal glory to himself" is understood (p. 20). Section two deals with the Abrahamic covenant, the Mosaic covenant, the Kingdom, and the New Covenant and the salvation of the gentiles. Saucy does a good job here presenting the "already/not yet" aspects of the covenants and the kingdom. The Abrahamic and New covenants being partially fulfilled in the Church age but completely fulfilled in the Millennium. The third section deals with the church in salvation history. Saucy again does a good job presenting the case for an "already/not yet" view, yet maintaining the distinction between Israel and the Church. The fourth section deals with the place of Israel. Saucy does an excellent job showing why Israel still has a role to play in God's redemptive program and why all the OT prophecies cannot be fulfilled in the Church age. He demonstrates this by going over the OT prophetic writings, some Pauline passages (particularly Romans 11), other NT passages, and the role Israel plays in salvation history. Particularly useful is Saucy's examination of Romans 11. He makes a convincing case why Paul was referring to national Israel rather than "spiritual" or "remnant" Israel in the passage. Also, Saucy's discussion of why Israel must still have a role to play in God's revelatory and salvific program is convincing (God still needs Israel to carry out His revelatory and salvific purposes). Overall, this book is a good starter for those seminarians who want a good understanding of this developing system.

Progressive Dispensationalism (abbreviated "PD") is a paradigm (model) useful for interpreting Scripture. It is in most ways similar to traditional Dispensationalism because it recognizes a special future for genetic Israel in the future Millennial Kingdom.

PD has a number of proponents, all with their unique twists. Saucy's version of PD is probably the closest to the traditional Dispensational viewpoint. Saucy, like other PDs, sees a limited fulfillment of Old Testament Millennial prophecies in the church. Saucy writes,"...the present age is only the inauguration and partial fulfillment of the prophecies."

Early on, Saucy argues that the literal tabernacle (for example) was a type fulfilled in Christ. The literal then the spiritual. OT prophecy regarding the Kingdom Age is the mirror image: some of them, at least, are first fulfilled spiritually in the church and then literally as promised to Israel during the Millennium. A spiritual application does not preclude a literal fulfillment.

Saucy then demonstrates that this is how the NT authors quote the OT prophecies of the conversion of the gentiles (and apply them to the church). Whether it be the End Time prophecy of Joel quoted in Acts 2, or the New Covenant, the NT authors' use of the OT is problematic with Traditional Dispensationalism. The problem evaporates when a PD hermeneutic is applied.

Yet the NT authors expected a literal fulfillment of the prophecies given to Israel, terminology unchanged (thus exposing the problem with Covenant and replacement viewpoints). Again, the problem is solved with a PD hermeneutic.

Besides its 12 chapters, the book is divided into 4 main sections: Introduction, The Present Age and Old Testament Prophecy, The Church in Salvation History, and The Place of Israel.

All in all, a fine work worth reading (for the theologian, pastor, or layman who has serious interest in this area). This is a theological book and written in a style that will be cozy for theologians and Bible students, but probably a stretch for the average layman.

From my own perspective, I think a Messianic Jewish perspective adds a richness to these sorts of discussions that is absent from more mainstream evangelical scholarship. Still, a top-notch work. Highly recommended, especially for those few nasty dispensationalists who try to characterize PD as Covenant Theology (not true).

With all the emphasis that John MacArthur and Fred Malone [opposing views] are making concerning progressive dispensationalism (JM's view) and covenantalism (FM's view) it would be good for us to understand the 'update' that has occurred. The following review comments create great expectations for what we can learn:

"For those who want a clear and scholarly presentation of this "newer" type of dispensationalism (i.e., progressive dispensationalism) that has gained much ground within conservative evangelical circles should look to this book. Saucy's book is filled with the desire to be faithful to the Scriptures and to uphold God's glory."
"Particularly useful is Saucy's examination of Romans 11. He makes a convincing case why Paul was referring to national Israel rather than "spiritual" or "remnant" Israel in the passage. Also, Saucy's discussion of why Israel must still have a role to play in God's revelatory and salvific program is convincing (God still needs Israel to carry out His revelatory and salvific purposes). Overall, this book is a good starter for those seminarians who want a good understanding of this developing system."

For that reason, I have purchased this book.