Progressive dispensationalism
A view held among orthodox Christians
A later form of dispensationalism that sees Christ already reigning on David's throne, while still expecting a future fulfilment of God's promises to national Israel.
Also called: progressive dispensational, progressive dispensationalist
What it means
Progressive dispensationalism developed in the late twentieth century among dispensational scholars who wanted to keep the movement's hope for Israel while softening its sharp division between Israel and the church. It treats the dispensations as stages that build on one another, rather than separate tests, and it sees the church not as a parenthesis but as a real stage in the one plan of God.
Its key claim is that the kingdom promised to David has already begun. Christ was raised and seated at the Father's right hand as the Davidic king, and the new covenant blessings of forgiveness and the Spirit are already given to Jews and Gentiles in the church. Yet progressive dispensationalists also expect a future earthly millennium in which the promises to Israel as a nation, including the land, are fulfilled.
This view stands closer to covenant theology than older dispensationalism does, and many of its holders are open on the timing of the rapture. Covenant theologians and 1689 Federalists welcome the emphasis on fulfilment in Christ but still question whether a separate future for national Israel is needed.
In Scripture
Peter says God raised Jesus to sit on David's throne and made him both Lord and Christ.
Gabriel says Jesus will receive the throne of his father David and reign forever.
James sees the gathering of Gentiles as the rebuilding of David's fallen tent.
Paul says all Israel will be saved and the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.
Christ made Jew and Gentile one new man in himself.
Where it comes up
On this site: Covenant framework
Related terms
DispensationalismA view held among orthodox Christians
A way of reading Scripture that keeps a lasting distinction between Israel and the church, and expects God to fulfil his promises to national Israel in a future earthly kingdom.
PremillennialismA view held among orthodox Christians
The belief that Christ will return before a literal thousand-year reign on earth.
Progressive covenantalismA view held among orthodox Christians
A reading of Scripture that traces the biblical covenants as successive steps, each fulfilled and brought to completion in Christ and the new covenant.
Covenant theologyA view held among orthodox Christians
A way of reading the whole Bible as the story of God's covenants, centred on one covenant of grace administered across both testaments.