Dead Sea Scrolls
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 53, No. 1 – Fall 2010
Managing Editor: Malcolm B. Yarnell III
Dispensationalism: Essential Beliefs and Common Myths. By Michael J. Vlach. Los Angeles: Theological Studies Press, 2008. 73 pages. Paperback, $8.45.
The Church as a Replacement of Israel: An Analysis of Supersessionism. By Michael J. Vlach. New York: Peter Lang, 2009. 221 pages. Hardcover, $43.95.
Two recent publications by Michael Vlach, Assistant Professor of Theology at The Master’s Seminary in Sun Valley, California, are worthy of special note. Dispensationalism: Essential Beliefs and Common Myths is a succinct, seventy-three page monograph, which poignantly illustrates the truth that it is not necessary to write 500 pages in order to fulfill a significant need. Dispensationalism has often been misrepresented by its opponents and in this slender volume Vlach sets the record straight. Having explained the nature of the problem in the introduction, the author provides a brief yet reasonably comprehensive history of dispensationalism followed by a chapter focusing on the essential content of dispensational thinking. Chapter three addresses myths about dispensationalism, while chapter four is devoted to questions often asked of dispensationalism. Finally, there is a conclusion as well as endnotes for the chapters.
There are three significant values of this book. First, contemporary dispensationalists—whether belonging to the classical, the revised, or the progressive schools—will all find themselves affirming what Vlach has said. In fact, Vlach succeeds in providing for dispensationalists themselves an understanding that they have much in common and little about which they should be seriously divided.
The second value of this volume lies in the cogent presentation of the most significant features of dispensationalism. Even if one does not agree with Vlach’s six points comprising the essence of dispensational thought, he will nevertheless appreciate the thoroughness with which Vlach has treated the subject in so few pages.
Third, and perhaps most important of all, Vlach’s handling of the calumnies often visited upon dispensationalism, such as that there is more than one plan of salvation in the Bible, are quickly shown to be misrepresentations of dispensational thinking. Dispensationalism is demonstrated to be thoroughly and completely orthodox in its theological foundation and superstructure.
The second volume, The Church as a Replacement of Israel: An Analysis of Supersessionism, is a much needed scholarly volume on the issue that most clearly sets apart dispensationalists from many other orthodox Christians relating to the interpretation of the New Testament documents. For many covenant theologians, as well as those who would simply prefer to allegorize New Testament and even Old Testament prophecies, making Israel and the church virtually synonymous, Vlach demonstrates in this volume that God’s plan and purpose for ethnic Israel is not abrogated by His plan for the church. After providing an introduction to the problem, Vlach discusses supersessionism in church history and then makes a very fair presentation of the case of replacing Israel with the church. In chapter four, however, he presents the evidence for maintaining a future for ethnic Israel. The final chapter is an evaluation and critique of supersessionism and a final statement in favor of recognizing the significance of Israel as a part of God’s future plan.
Citing Craig Blaising, Vlach notes optimistically that evidence of the history of supersessionism is sparse, and he acknowledges Blaising’s hopefulness that it is virtually on its way out. Vlach seems less hopeful, and this reviewer would question the conclusion of both. In fact, this is exactly why this volume is critically important. Theological schools have long needed a volume that discusses this issue in a scholarly but trenchant way. Vlach has produced that volume. These books together constitute a significant addition to contemporary eschatological discussion and should not be missed by anyone interested in biblical prophecy.
