Davidic Covenant - Dogma
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Davidic Covenant
The covenant that God made with King David, as recorded in 2 Samuel chapter 7. The covenant is built upon the foundation of the promises of the Abrahamic covenant. Specifically, the Lord confirmed with David that these promises were still in effect and would be fulfilled in a direct descendant - a son who would sit on his throne and rule over a literal kingdom. We also find that the covenant is unilateral in that there are no demands made upon David specifically and because the potential for failure is already accounted for in the covenant (failure will not cause the covenant to be abrogated). The covenant will be fully fulfilled when Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Jewish Messiah, is sitting on the Throne of David in Jerusalem during the Millennial Kingdom as revealed in Revelation 20:13-18.
Davidic Kingdom
David was God's choice to be the first king of Israel, after the mistaken choice of Saul by the people. David was described as a man after God's own heart because in spite of his deep sins, he still had a heart to rule God's people in truth and justice, and this is a picture of the reign of Christ from the throne of David during the Millennial Kingdom. David ruled from about 1010 BC until his death 40 years later.
Day of the Lord
(Often abbreviated as "DOL") The future time of God's ultimate judgment upon Israel and the other nations of the world followed by a period of restoration and blessing upon those who repent and turn to him. The Day of the Lord is foretold in both the Old and New Testaments and is foreshadowed by the devastating attacks upon Israel by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. and upon Judah the Babylonians from 606 to 586 B.C.
According to pretribulational premillennial theology, the Day of the Lord is generally understood to begin after the Rapture of the Church with the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation period (the judgment part of the DOL) and continue through the millennial reign of Christ (the blessing part of the DOL).
Death, Second
Eternal separation from God and everlasting torment in the Lake of Fire as described in Revelation chapter 20. It is the ultimate result of being spiritually dead, having no personal relationship with the Lord, at the time of one's physical death.
Death, Spiritual
Spiritual death is the condition of being separate from the life of God and being under his wrath and condemnation until such time the person hears the gospel and turns to Christ in faith. If someone is spiritually dead at the time of their physical death, they will experience the second resurrection to the Great White Throne and then be condemned to spend eternal suffering in the Lake of Fire, which is the Second Death.
Deductive reasoning
Reasoning that moves from known facts or assumed premises to necessary or required conclusions. It is reasoning from the general to the specific. It is the opposite of inductive reasoning.
Example of deductive reasoning: If I examine every dog in my hometown and find that they all have four legs, then it is necessarily true that every dog on a given street in my town have four legs. If I haven't examined every dog in my home town, but start with the premise that every dog in my town has four legs, then I would expect every dog on a given street to have four legs. If I examine the dogs on a given street and find one that has only three legs, then I know my premises are wrong.
Example of inductive reasoning: If I examine every dog in my hometown and find that they all have four legs, then I might postulate that every dog in my state have four legs. If later I am able to examine all the dogs in my state and find one that has only three legs, then I know that my postulation is wrong.
See also: a posteriori, a priori, inductive reasoning
Deism
A religious worldview that presupposes a supreme being who created the universe, but who (according to most deists) has not continued to be personally involved or interact with the creation or intervene in history and the affairs of men. Deism is purely naturalistic in its view of knowledge of God, maintaining that such knowledge acquired only from observation and the application of reason to the laws of nature.
This distinguishes deism from revealed religions such as Judaism and Christianity. Therefore, it is not appropriate to think of "Christian deists" due to their inherent denial of God's intervention in the world through either through miracles or revelation, and thereby contradicting the testimony of the Scriptures to such events.
Conversely, the deist's definition of cult would extend to Christianity, Judaism and Islam because these are revealed religions.
Deliverance ministry
Ministry which focuses on attempting to identify the sources or causes of all types of physical, emotional and psychological illness or disorder, with the presumption that most of these problems are the result of demonic activity, either actual possession, or as some have described it, "demonization." Once these have been identified as being associated with demonic activity, attempts are made to deliver the afflicted person from the indwelling or influence of demons.
Deliverance ministry departs from any ministry prescribed or described in the Bible on several counts. One is the presumption that virtually all manner of physical, emotional and psychological illness or disorder is ultimately caused by demonic activity. Consequently, it is often said that there is a specific demon associated with cancer, for example, or even there is a demon which causes a specific type of cancer. And this can be said of any physical ailment or disease.
Furthermore, this usually extends to the idea that there can be demons of depression, anxiety, fear, etc. and they must be dealt with in the same way. The result is that demonic activity is considered to be the cause of virtually every physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual problem faced by man.
Another concept which is often connected with the theology of deliverance ministry is that even born-again Christians can be "demonized" (which is the preferred term over "demon possession" among some who claim to engage in this type of ministry).
In order to deal with this demon possession (or demonization), several steps are taken in order to "deliver" the victim. These include trying get the demon to reveal its presence and identity, after which the demon is addressed and commanded in Jesus' name to depart from the victim
There are significant theological and methodological problems with the concept of deliverance ministries in general. Most of the basic tenets upon which deliverance ministries are based have no scriptural support either by teaching or by example. There is no biblical evidence that most or even many types of infirmity can be ascribed to demonic activity. Neither is there any scriptural support for believers to be involved with this type of direct demonic confrontation, except for the apostles who were specifically given this authority.
Also, the biblical examples of demonic possession were all clearly marked by debilitating antisocial and self-destructive violent behavior, as well as supernatural abilities, particularly in with regard to knowledge and/or strength.
And finally, there is no evidence that born-again believers can be indwelt by both the Holy Spirit and a demon. Rather, for the believer, the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit seems to preclude even the possibility of simultaneous demon possession.
Demon possession
The indwelling of a person by demon (fallen angel), such that the demon gains almost exclusive control of the body and mind of the indwelt person. Scriptural examples indicate that demon possession is specifically identified by debilitating antisocial and self-destructive violent behavior, as well as supernatural abilities, particularly in knowledge and/or strength.
Discernment ministry
A ministry, often internet-based, which primarily focuses on finding, critiquing and exposing other Christian leaders and ministries that are introducing questionable practices and heretical doctrine into evangelical / fundamental churches.
Dispensationalism
A system of theology which recognizes distinct, successive periods in history during which God progressively reveals his purposes and advances his program in unique ways.
The guiding principle of dispensational theology is the use of a normal literal, grammatical-historical hermeneutic when interpreting the Bible. This necessarily leads to recognizing and maintaining the distinction between Israel and the church in God's program. Another characteristic of dispensational theology is the view that God's ultimate purpose is to bring glory to himself (as opposed to the view that the redemption of man is God's primary purpose).
Each dispensation is characterized by a unique arrangement between God and man, whereby man is responsible and accountable to new revelation specific to that dispensation or as carried forward from previous dispensation. The Bible records man's consistent failure to respond in faith and faithful obedience to these dispensational conditions, which brings God's judgment on the terminal generation in each dispensation, while he preserves a faithful remnant which moves into the next generation.
Dispensationalists believe that the return of Christ will be prior to his literal 1000-year reign upon the earth. However, it should be noted that while all dispensationalists are premillennial, not all premillennialists are dispensational.
Traditional dispensationalism usually recognizes seven dispensations in the outworking of God's program in history, often defined as (sometimes with different names): Innocence, Conscience, Government, Promise, Law, Grace, Kingdom. In conjunction with this, most would also agree that the Church began with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts chapter 2.
Traditional dispensationalists, who make up the majority within dispensationalism, also hold to the imminent, personal return of Christ to rapture the church prior to the seven-year tribulation period.
See also: Imminency, and Pre-,Post-, Mid- and Pre-wrath Tribulationalism.
Dispensationalism, Traditional
In general, dispensationalism as originally defined and formalized by the theological work of J.N. Darby, C. I. Scofield, Lewis Sperry Chafer and others from about 1830 to the mid-1900s - and then revised somewhat by the later work of John Walvoord, Charles Ryrie and others since the 1950's.
Dispensationalism, Progressive
A form of dispensationalism that was developed in the 1980's largely through the work of Craig Blaising and Darrell Bock. Progressive Dispensationalism continues to maintain many of the basic tenets of traditional dispensational theology by holding to the distinction between Israel and the Church and the premillennial, pretribulational rapture of the Church.
However, the divergence is most evident in the use of a complementary hermeneutic (OT meanings are expanded through NT revelation), see a higher level of continuity between the Old and New Covenants, and an "already/not yet" inauguration of Christ's kingdom which sees Christ as presently ruling from the throne of David in heaven.
Some contend that Progressive Dispensationalism has more in common, at the hermeneutical level, with Covenant Theology, than it does with traditional dispensationalism.
Dispensationalism, Ultra-, Hyper-
Two minority views within dispensationalism which are similar to the traditional view, except that they hold to the beginning of the Church taking place under Paul's ministry, either in Acts 9-15 or Acts 28.
Dogma
A specific point of teaching in a given religion that one must accept to be considered a faithful adherent to that religion. The deity of Christ and his bodily resurrection would be two examples of doctrine that rise to the level dogma in Christianity.
Some Protestants tend not to use the term "dogma" as it is often negatively associated with Catholic doctrine. Instead of dogma, Protestants tend to use the phrase "fundamentals of the faith."
The covenant that God made with King David, as recorded in 2 Samuel chapter 7. The covenant is built upon the foundation of the promises of the Abrahamic covenant. Specifically, the Lord confirmed with David that these promises were still in effect and would be fulfilled in a direct descendant - a son who would sit on his throne and rule over a literal kingdom. We also find that the covenant is unilateral in that there are no demands made upon David specifically and because the potential for failure is already accounted for in the covenant (failure will not cause the covenant to be abrogated). The covenant will be fully fulfilled when Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Jewish Messiah, is sitting on the Throne of David in Jerusalem during the Millennial Kingdom as revealed in Revelation 20:13-18.
Davidic Kingdom
David was God's choice to be the first king of Israel, after the mistaken choice of Saul by the people. David was described as a man after God's own heart because in spite of his deep sins, he still had a heart to rule God's people in truth and justice, and this is a picture of the reign of Christ from the throne of David during the Millennial Kingdom. David ruled from about 1010 BC until his death 40 years later.
Day of the Lord
(Often abbreviated as "DOL") The future time of God's ultimate judgment upon Israel and the other nations of the world followed by a period of restoration and blessing upon those who repent and turn to him. The Day of the Lord is foretold in both the Old and New Testaments and is foreshadowed by the devastating attacks upon Israel by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. and upon Judah the Babylonians from 606 to 586 B.C.
According to pretribulational premillennial theology, the Day of the Lord is generally understood to begin after the Rapture of the Church with the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation period (the judgment part of the DOL) and continue through the millennial reign of Christ (the blessing part of the DOL).
Death, Second
Eternal separation from God and everlasting torment in the Lake of Fire as described in Revelation chapter 20. It is the ultimate result of being spiritually dead, having no personal relationship with the Lord, at the time of one's physical death.
Death, Spiritual
Spiritual death is the condition of being separate from the life of God and being under his wrath and condemnation until such time the person hears the gospel and turns to Christ in faith. If someone is spiritually dead at the time of their physical death, they will experience the second resurrection to the Great White Throne and then be condemned to spend eternal suffering in the Lake of Fire, which is the Second Death.
Deductive reasoning
Reasoning that moves from known facts or assumed premises to necessary or required conclusions. It is reasoning from the general to the specific. It is the opposite of inductive reasoning.
Example of deductive reasoning: If I examine every dog in my hometown and find that they all have four legs, then it is necessarily true that every dog on a given street in my town have four legs. If I haven't examined every dog in my home town, but start with the premise that every dog in my town has four legs, then I would expect every dog on a given street to have four legs. If I examine the dogs on a given street and find one that has only three legs, then I know my premises are wrong.
Example of inductive reasoning: If I examine every dog in my hometown and find that they all have four legs, then I might postulate that every dog in my state have four legs. If later I am able to examine all the dogs in my state and find one that has only three legs, then I know that my postulation is wrong.
See also: a posteriori, a priori, inductive reasoning
Deism
A religious worldview that presupposes a supreme being who created the universe, but who (according to most deists) has not continued to be personally involved or interact with the creation or intervene in history and the affairs of men. Deism is purely naturalistic in its view of knowledge of God, maintaining that such knowledge acquired only from observation and the application of reason to the laws of nature.
This distinguishes deism from revealed religions such as Judaism and Christianity. Therefore, it is not appropriate to think of "Christian deists" due to their inherent denial of God's intervention in the world through either through miracles or revelation, and thereby contradicting the testimony of the Scriptures to such events.
Conversely, the deist's definition of cult would extend to Christianity, Judaism and Islam because these are revealed religions.
Deliverance ministry
Ministry which focuses on attempting to identify the sources or causes of all types of physical, emotional and psychological illness or disorder, with the presumption that most of these problems are the result of demonic activity, either actual possession, or as some have described it, "demonization." Once these have been identified as being associated with demonic activity, attempts are made to deliver the afflicted person from the indwelling or influence of demons.
Deliverance ministry departs from any ministry prescribed or described in the Bible on several counts. One is the presumption that virtually all manner of physical, emotional and psychological illness or disorder is ultimately caused by demonic activity. Consequently, it is often said that there is a specific demon associated with cancer, for example, or even there is a demon which causes a specific type of cancer. And this can be said of any physical ailment or disease.
Furthermore, this usually extends to the idea that there can be demons of depression, anxiety, fear, etc. and they must be dealt with in the same way. The result is that demonic activity is considered to be the cause of virtually every physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual problem faced by man.
Another concept which is often connected with the theology of deliverance ministry is that even born-again Christians can be "demonized" (which is the preferred term over "demon possession" among some who claim to engage in this type of ministry).
In order to deal with this demon possession (or demonization), several steps are taken in order to "deliver" the victim. These include trying get the demon to reveal its presence and identity, after which the demon is addressed and commanded in Jesus' name to depart from the victim
There are significant theological and methodological problems with the concept of deliverance ministries in general. Most of the basic tenets upon which deliverance ministries are based have no scriptural support either by teaching or by example. There is no biblical evidence that most or even many types of infirmity can be ascribed to demonic activity. Neither is there any scriptural support for believers to be involved with this type of direct demonic confrontation, except for the apostles who were specifically given this authority.
Also, the biblical examples of demonic possession were all clearly marked by debilitating antisocial and self-destructive violent behavior, as well as supernatural abilities, particularly in with regard to knowledge and/or strength.
And finally, there is no evidence that born-again believers can be indwelt by both the Holy Spirit and a demon. Rather, for the believer, the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit seems to preclude even the possibility of simultaneous demon possession.
Demon possession
The indwelling of a person by demon (fallen angel), such that the demon gains almost exclusive control of the body and mind of the indwelt person. Scriptural examples indicate that demon possession is specifically identified by debilitating antisocial and self-destructive violent behavior, as well as supernatural abilities, particularly in knowledge and/or strength.
Discernment ministry
A ministry, often internet-based, which primarily focuses on finding, critiquing and exposing other Christian leaders and ministries that are introducing questionable practices and heretical doctrine into evangelical / fundamental churches.
Dispensationalism
A system of theology which recognizes distinct, successive periods in history during which God progressively reveals his purposes and advances his program in unique ways.
The guiding principle of dispensational theology is the use of a normal literal, grammatical-historical hermeneutic when interpreting the Bible. This necessarily leads to recognizing and maintaining the distinction between Israel and the church in God's program. Another characteristic of dispensational theology is the view that God's ultimate purpose is to bring glory to himself (as opposed to the view that the redemption of man is God's primary purpose).
Each dispensation is characterized by a unique arrangement between God and man, whereby man is responsible and accountable to new revelation specific to that dispensation or as carried forward from previous dispensation. The Bible records man's consistent failure to respond in faith and faithful obedience to these dispensational conditions, which brings God's judgment on the terminal generation in each dispensation, while he preserves a faithful remnant which moves into the next generation.
Dispensationalists believe that the return of Christ will be prior to his literal 1000-year reign upon the earth. However, it should be noted that while all dispensationalists are premillennial, not all premillennialists are dispensational.
Traditional dispensationalism usually recognizes seven dispensations in the outworking of God's program in history, often defined as (sometimes with different names): Innocence, Conscience, Government, Promise, Law, Grace, Kingdom. In conjunction with this, most would also agree that the Church began with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts chapter 2.
Traditional dispensationalists, who make up the majority within dispensationalism, also hold to the imminent, personal return of Christ to rapture the church prior to the seven-year tribulation period.
See also: Imminency, and Pre-,Post-, Mid- and Pre-wrath Tribulationalism.
Dispensationalism, Traditional
In general, dispensationalism as originally defined and formalized by the theological work of J.N. Darby, C. I. Scofield, Lewis Sperry Chafer and others from about 1830 to the mid-1900s - and then revised somewhat by the later work of John Walvoord, Charles Ryrie and others since the 1950's.
Dispensationalism, Progressive
A form of dispensationalism that was developed in the 1980's largely through the work of Craig Blaising and Darrell Bock. Progressive Dispensationalism continues to maintain many of the basic tenets of traditional dispensational theology by holding to the distinction between Israel and the Church and the premillennial, pretribulational rapture of the Church.
However, the divergence is most evident in the use of a complementary hermeneutic (OT meanings are expanded through NT revelation), see a higher level of continuity between the Old and New Covenants, and an "already/not yet" inauguration of Christ's kingdom which sees Christ as presently ruling from the throne of David in heaven.
Some contend that Progressive Dispensationalism has more in common, at the hermeneutical level, with Covenant Theology, than it does with traditional dispensationalism.
Dispensationalism, Ultra-, Hyper-
Two minority views within dispensationalism which are similar to the traditional view, except that they hold to the beginning of the Church taking place under Paul's ministry, either in Acts 9-15 or Acts 28.
Dogma
A specific point of teaching in a given religion that one must accept to be considered a faithful adherent to that religion. The deity of Christ and his bodily resurrection would be two examples of doctrine that rise to the level dogma in Christianity.
Some Protestants tend not to use the term "dogma" as it is often negatively associated with Catholic doctrine. Instead of dogma, Protestants tend to use the phrase "fundamentals of the faith."
The Alliance for Biblical Integrity | 5800 W. Thralls Ave., W. Terre Haute, IN 47885 | (812) 535-3233 (423) 290-2907 | info@biblicalintegrity.org
