(Part 1)

JBTM Book Reviews
148
concept inherited by the Jews from the Old Testament and Second Temple Judaism. First,
Jesus reveals that the kingdom is new in God’s eschatological plan. Second, he shows that
the kingdom brings the vindication of the righteous and judgment for those outside of
the kingdom. Third, Jesus demonstrates that the kingdom has arrived in one sense and is
still future in another sense; the kingdom is already/not yet. Bock explores the Abrahamic,
Davidic, and New covenants to display the three dispensations of promise, inauguration,
and consummation. He also explains that the Gentile inclusion of the covenant promises
is grounded in the Abrahamic covenant, yet God has not permanently excluded Israel from
their covenant promises.
T. Maurice Pugh, senior pastor of New Life Fellowship, wrote Chapter 9, titled “Dispensationalism
and Views of Redemption History.” His essay discusses the theological approaches
to redemptive history, specifically covenant theology and dispensationalism. He examines
the concept of a Christian view of history, noting key events in redemptive history. He outlines
the distinctive features of covenant theology and dispensationalism while showing that
both systems share many similarities, including a commitment to a high view of Scripture and
the centrality of the person and work of Christ. He shares the pastoral implications from his
study of redemptive history in the final section of his essay, which are: the believer’s greater
faith in God’s sovereignty; encouragement of the believer’s hope of the resurrection and that
God will enact his covenant promises; and the assurance that God’s justice will prevail.
Dispensationalism and the History of Redemption presents several helpful essays in defense
of a dispensational theology. They display a variety of dispensational approaches both
historically and presently, and many essays interact with covenant theologians. Holsteen’s
essay on the hermeneutic of dispensationalism is one of the strongest because its hermeneutic
is foundational to dispensational theology. His presentation of the Reformed doctrine of
predestination as a foundation for the unity of the covenant principle shows the rationale
and method of the covenant hermeneutic in contrast to the dispensational hermeneutic.
His description of the dispensational hermeneutic clarifies how dispensationalism maintains
the integrity of the dispensational emphasis on God’s one plan of salvation that is revealed
progressively through different dispensations. One shortcoming in the book is a lack of
interaction with a new brand of covenant theology known as progressive covenantalism.
These theologians propose a via media between covenant theology and dispensationalism
by highlighting the diversity within redemptive history while maintaining a commitment to
interpret God’s land promises typologically. While Bock’s essay addresses one of their key
publications in an endnote, this book should have one section or essay to address this new
proposal.
Dispensationalism and the History of Redemption is highly recommended for anyone
interested in a holistic study of dispensationalism. It is a great resource from many highly
respected scholars and it serves as a current summary of dispensationalism.
- Kenneth J. Reid, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky