Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Hebrews 11:40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 11:40 because God had us in mind and had something better for us, so that they [these men and women of authentic faith] would not be made perfect [that is, completed in Him] apart from us. |
Subject: Superior Hope |
Bible Note: What you are expressing is a view that is most frequently promulgated by a form of theology called dispensationalism. Dispensationalism's strongest opponent is covenant theology, although, as you can imagine, there are variations on these themes all over the place. :-) Another area in which these ideas come into play is in nomianism and antinomianism. Dispensationalism is often pushed by organizations like Dallas Theological Seminary and books like the "Left Behind" series. This view seems to have its roots in people like Schofield, supporting it in his Bible notes. Dispensationalism teaches that God deals with man in distinct "dispensations" or epochs. Each dispensation is unique and has little to do with the other dispensations. I have heard of as many as 11 dispensations but mostly they teach that there are 7. The final dispensation is the 1000 year reign of Christ. Covenant theology, is most clearly articulated directly out of the Reformation. Some of its forms even include the notion of covenant nations. This view has its roots in people like John Calvin, John Knox, and others. Classical covenant theology teaches that God deals with man by cutting covenant with him. Thus, Adam and Eve had a covenant (contract) with God in which both parties fulfilled specific terms. There was also a Noahic covenant, a Mosaic covenant, and the covenant of grace ushered in by Christ. Covenant theology is why we call the Old and New Testament testaments... that's just another word for covenant. Nomianism and antinomianism deal with how the Law comes into play in our lives. Antinomianists say not at all. Nomianists believe that the Law is sacrosanct, but is satisfied through Christ. I'm really glad you are thinking about these things! They are important questions. Before you completely settle in on one side of this issue or another, do some research. Find some good scholarly papers on the subject by people who support one side or the other. Read them carefully. Look at their scriptural arguments. Pray for insight and search the scriptures to "see if these things be so." You will learn lots about theology, and your grasp of scripture will grow! In the end, you will have settled on a position that will guide much of your later thinking. Disclaimer: Everyone, please forgive me if I have not represented your theological perspective adequately or entirely accurately. I wanted to just introduce these terms for people to be able to better research them. Lord, guide us all into a clearer understanding of Truth. Show us clearly what are the philosophies of man and what are the verities of your word! |