Prophecies of Israel’s Future: The Hermeneutics of Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism

Authors

  • Sergey SOLOKHA Since 1998 he has taught New Testament at Donetsk Christian University, Ukraine

Keywords:

Prophecies of Israel’s Future, The Hermeneutics of Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism, dispensationalist school, hermeneutical approach of Paul

Abstract

The theme of this article touches on the interpretation of the future of Israel most widely held by Evangelical Christian-Baptist churches in post-Soviet countries. This position was shaped largely by the dispensationalist school of interpretation which was spread through the use of the Bible with the Scofield commentary.
A comparative analysis is given of two opposing schools of interpretation of prophecies concerning the future of Israel: dispensationalism and covenant theology. On the one hand, the dispensationalist school is inclined to a literal interpretation of OT prophecy, which is regarded as having to do with a certain temporary dispensation. Covenant theology, on the other hand, accents the unity between the Old and New Testaments, interpreting prophecy concerning Israel as figurative, and relating it to the future of the whole people of God, including both national Israel and the non-Israelite church. The two interpretive approaches use different hermeneutical methodologies. The article compares the hermeneutics of the two schools with the hermeneutical approach of Paul, based on his interpretation of the future of Israel in Romans 9-11.

Author Biography

Sergey SOLOKHA, Since 1998 he has taught New Testament at Donetsk Christian University

Sergey Solokha was born and raised in Kharkov. In 1996 he received a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Donetsk Christian University. Afterward he worked as an instructor in the Christian education center of Light of the Gospel mission society in Kharkov. Since 1998 he has taught New Testament at Donetsk Christian University. Presently he is writing his Master’s thesis at International Baptist Theological Seminary in Prague.

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How to Cite

SOLOKHA, Sergey. 2006. “Prophecies of Israel’s Future: The Hermeneutics of Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism”. Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology, no. 7 (December):23-36. http://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/89443.