Dallas Seminary/Covenant Theology/Progressive Dispensationalism
CONTRIBUTOR: ANTON WILLIAMS, FOUNDER
DTS & REFORMED THEOLOGY
The following are personal observations to questions that have been directed to me from Christians who are within the Reformed/Presbyterian tradition.
DTS is non-denominational so students from many Christian traditions can attend.
DTS had in its history a time period where classical dispensationalism was the predominant view. The book "An Uncommon Union" by John D. Hannah is a good resource for this.
Progressive Dispensationalism aligns well with a Reformed/Calvinistic understanding of scripture. Most of the core tenants of Reformed theology can synergize well in addition to the unique aspects of the tradition depending upon a personal perspective. Differences within Reformed tradition and Progressive Dispensationalism themselves must also be recognized to account for the breadth of their respective positions
FIVE POINTS OF CALVINISM (REFORMED SOTERIOLOGY)
PROGRESSIVE DISPENSATIONALISM
PROGRESSIVE DISPENSATIONALISM can be totally compatible with TULIP (5 Points of Calvinism).
T: Humanity is totally fallen and only the Lord can make a person come to Him
U: Focus is more on the role of predestination in regards to redemption rather than election
L: Atonement from Jesus is designed by God for the purpose of justifying only the elect whom God chose for Himself in eternity past.
I: The Holy Spirit has the central role of regenerating the elect to whom it was given that the Father chose beforehand who would believe
P: God continues His work of preserving the saints who believe in Him
PROGRESSIVE DISPENSATIONALISM COMPATIBILITY WITH THE COVENANT OF WORKS/GRACE AND OLD TESTAMENT ISRAEL AS BEING PART OF ONE PEOPLE OF GOD
COVENANT OF WORKS & COVENANT OF GRACE
While Progressive Dispensationalism does not necessarily predispose a belief in the covenants, these are compatible if a person has a traditional Reformed understanding . Progressive Covenantalism itself has variation regarding the existence of a covenant of works.
It is possible to believe that there was a COVENANT OF WORKS that Adam's sin was a negating factor
It is possible to believe that there is a COVENANT OF GRACE after Adam to everyone who have their trust in God
PEOPLE OF GOD IN THE OLD/NEW TESTAMENT
Progressive Dispensationalism has a mediating view regarding Israel and the Church
Israel is recognized as being part of the people of God as the church is
The church is recognized as being a part of the spiritual Israel
Israel is still recognized as having a future millennial kingdom in its historic land which aligns with some aspects of historic pre-millennialism in Reformed Theology but not as well for those who hold to amillennialism within Reformed theology