The Shepherds' Corner - Annual Conference Insights

Already? Not Yet? Let’s Get It Right: Discerning God’s Plan in Scripture

Aug 7, 2024 9:54:01 PM / by Dave Burggraff

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This year’s conference may be our most important conference yet. The title of this year’s conference is “City of God, City of Man,” which comes from Augustine’s extensive treatise The City of God, a lengthy work that explains how we live in two realms—heavenly and earthly. It was written in the early 5th century AD at a time when Christianity was being blamed for the decline of Rome and misrepresented by its pagan foes. (Not a lot has changed in 16+ centuries!)

Augustine’s magnum opus was an important apologetic work. But he has left a legacy of confusion regarding the distinction between church and kingdom. His (innovative, but wrong!) interpretation of Revelation 20—that the church today is the promised kingdom— is a stumbling block to understanding God’s future plans. Therefore, we will focus on understanding what Scripture says about Israel, the church, Kingdom, culture, and government—asking and exploring: “Already? Not Yet? Let’s Get It Right!” Our emphasis this year is on biblical interpretation – it can’t get any more important than that!

Different Approaches to Interpreting the Bible

In evangelical circles today, there are two basic schools of thought to systematic Bible study (interpretation) and theology: covenantalism and dispensationalism. These two schools of interpretation begin with two completely different sets of presuppositions, resulting in differences among evangelical Christians in understanding many key doctrines and concepts such as Israel, the church, the Kingdom, the millennial reign of Christ, the Christian and government, and other important issues.

The rhetoric and debates between these opposing approaches have heated up over the past decade. As conservative evangelicals, we believe in the authority and inerrancy of the Word of God, and we believe it should be interpreted by applying a literal, normal, grammatical, and historical hermeneutic—even when it comes to prophecy. Furthermore, this interpretive approach addresses other important questions, beginning with Genesis 1 through Revelation 22. Questions such as were Adam and Eve real people? If so, how were they created? When? What difference does it make? Will Jesus return and actually rule for a thousand years? These are not merely academic questions; they ultimately determine one’s worldview and future hope.

But What About Those Who Believe Differently?

But what if different Bible pastors, popular speakers, popular biblical commentators, and popular bloggers take a different view on biblical interpretation? Who should you believe? Who is right? These questions need to be answered. So, this year we will be tackling this bold, yet relevant theme that ultimately addresses the question: How do fellow believers who hold to a high view of Scripture come to different conclusions regarding biblical theology and practice?

Learn More at the Conference

At this year’s conference, we’ll turn to the Scriptures, and call upon top dispensational theologians and pastors to help us understand these important issues. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to hear what they say!

 

Topics: City of God | City of Man

Dave Burggraff

Written by Dave Burggraff

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