Book Announcement: Forged From Reformation: How Dispensational Thought Advances the Reformed Legacy, from General Editors Dr. Christopher Cone and Dr. James Fazio. Southern California Seminary Press.
Reviews:
“With contributions from top scholars among leading Christian universities and seminaries across the country, Forged from Reformation will give you helpful insights into the truths of Scripture which have shaped our past and still impact our lives for Christ.” –David Jeremiah, Chancellor, Southern California Seminary
Senior Pastor, Shadow Mountain Community Church
“It is an honor to endorse Forged from Reformation … I applaud the authors of this volume in demonstrating the importance of normative dispensational thought that furthers the Reformation on its 500th anniversary. It argues well that Reformed Theology does not own the Reformation, but that in fact dispensationalism continues the many great themes of the Reformation in establishing the Bible-centered theology it purports, its commitment to literal interpretation, its emphasis on salvation by grace through faith for the redeemed of all ages, its goal in the glory of God, and its focus on Jesus the Messiah, and His kingdom. I trust that the book will have a wide and fair hearing.” –H. Wayne House, Distinguished Research Professor of Theology, Law, and Culture
Faith International University and Faith Seminary
“Drs. Fazio and Cone have edited an excellent collection of articles on the dispensational heritage of the Reformation. At a time when it is generally assumed that Reformed theology only gave rise to a limited form of eschatology, the contributors show that the Reformers’ emphasis on biblical hermeneutics eventually led to the dispensational understanding of progressive revelation. The contributors help us better understand the biblical, historical, and practical implications of the Reformation for dispensationalism today.”–Ed Hindson, Founding Dean, Distinguished Professor, Rawling School of Divinity, Liberty University
“I’ve been waiting a long time for a book like this. I’m especially impressed by its width and depth. It’s a theological tour de force. Forged from Reformation cogently clarifies the continuity of dispensationalism within the stream of Reformation history. It will quickly become the go-to book for any historical defense or evaluation of dispensationalism, especially as it relates to the legacy of the Reformers.”–Mark Hitchcock, Associate Professor of Bible Exposition, Dallas Theological Seminary, Senior Pastor, Faith Bible Church, Edmond, OK
“When evangelicals think of the Reformation, they rarely think of dispensationalism. This is a mistake. While it is true that the modern dispensational movement has been trans-denominational, especially in its American development, one should not be hasty to exclude a movement that stands in the direct path of the trajectory of Reformation hermeneutics. In fact, dispensationalism in many ways is the Reformation taken to its logical conclusion and the discussion is not just about eschatology as detractors sometimes posit. As a result of dispensational thought, the evangelical world has rediscovered in greater detail the Jewish perspective of the Bible. The volume Forged from Reformation connects the dots and allows the reader to see clearly what others overlook so readily.”–Mike Stallard, Director of International Ministry, Friends of Israel, Moderator, Council on Dispensational Hermeneutics
As a dispensationalist educated largely in Reformed institutions, I appreciate that two theological systems can exhibit significant differences and still aim at the same conclusion—the glory of God. I welcome this book because it demonstrates the differences between the dispensational and reformed approaches to interpreting Scripture, while at the same time validating that Martin Luther’s Reformation in no way negates the biblical truths that define dispensationalists.–Dr. Woodrow Kroll, Founder and Teacher, The HELIOS Projects
At last, a bold declaration from biblical scholars that clearly reveals dispensationalism as the truest and most faithful herald of the Reformation legacy. Much like the posting of Luther’s 95 theses, the publication of Forged From Reformation will hopefully lead to fresh discernment, sparking yet another much needed reformation and return to the faithful interpretation and exposition of Scripture.–Dr. Stephen Davey, President, Shepherds Theological Seminary
In recent years there have been a number of published works on Dispensationalism either attacking it, explaining it, or defending it. However, this is not just another such work. The focus of this volume is to show how traditional dispensationalism is the most biblical development of the Reformation and Reformed Legacy. The Reformation has resulted in a variety of systematic theologies with Covenant Theology being most dominant in the USA. This system often stands against dispensationalism and places it into the non-Reformed camp, often accusing it of promoting Arminianism. That is why this book, Forged From Reformation, is a necessary contribution to this discussion and highly recommended to be read by both Calvinists and Arminians, Dispensationalists and non-Dispensationalists, Reformed and non-Reformed adherents.–Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum Th.M; Ph.D, Ariel Ministries
Clearly the Reformation was a watershed time in the life of the Church, and this book brilliantly illuminates this crucial moment in history. But unlike some works on the Reformation, which seem to deify the reformers and ignore some of their inconsistencies, the capable authors of this book provide a helpful perspective on what took place in those critical centuries. And they convincing show that dispensational theology’s taproot goes back to the Reformation.
Luther and others once again established that the Scriptures alone (sola scriptura) were the final authority in matters of doctrine. They did this by returning to the literal, grammatical-historical hermeneutic of the early church and shedding the allegorical method which had long dominated the Roman Catholic Church. So, the restoring of this hermeneutical approach brought great clarity in the doctrine of salvation and to some extent the doctrine of the church. But, unfortunately, these men were inconsistent and did not apply their hermeneutic to the matter of biblical prophecy, specifically to the fact that Israel’s covenant promises were given to the Jews and not to the church.
Dispensational theology, which began to be systematized by John Nelson Darby, was far more consistent in applying and advancing the hermeneutical principles of the reformers. The authors of “Forged From Reformation” provide insights into Luther, Calvin, Darby and others, showing how present day dispensational theology is a legitimate child of the reformation, but a child that has grown to be even more faithful to the spirit of reformation hermeneutics than many of the “reformed churches” of today. This book is a must read for those who think of dispensationalism as a wandering theological star out by itself in the doctrinal universe. It is a book which will bring understanding to some of the great issues facing the church today.–Dr. Paul Benware, Professor of Bible and Theology
The odometer of church history turned over a significant milestone in October 2017 when we celebrated the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s posting of his 95 Theses on the doors of Wittenberg Castle Church, igniting the Protestant Reformation. And while the influence of the five Solas on the development of Protestant theology is easily recognized, their relationship to Dispensationalism is not as clearly understood. This volume, from the pens of leading dispensational scholars, helps fill in that knowledge gap. I appreciated the many insights I discovered in this volume, and I believe you will as well.–Dr. Charles Dyer, Professor-at-Large of Bible, Moody Bible Institute, Host: The Land and the Book radio program
Introduction:
It has been five-hundred years since Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door at Wittenberg, fanning the flames of the Protestant Reformation. Forged from the fires of the Reformation’s heightened attention to the Bible and its details, a more refined and systematic dispensational understanding has developed and continues to be shaped. This book, written by a diverse and accomplished group of dispensational scholars, articulates in each and every chapter how, five-hundred years later, dispensational thought upholds and advances the legacy of the Reformation unlike any other theological system in the Christian tradition.
General Editors: Dr. Christopher Cone / Dr. James Fazio
Publisher: SCS Press
Pages: 602
Retail: $39.99
