Question: Greg,

I was wondering if you are familiar with the writings of Clarence Larkin and his thoughts on dispensational Truths? And if so, what are your thoughts on this author. I have several of his books and I was wondering what your thoughts are? He seems to be a Godly man, but his writings are sometimes confusing but interesting. I understand he has long passed away.

Thanks for your help.

Bob

Answer: Hello Bob,

Yes, I am familiar with Larkin – particularly his hyperbolic book, "The Greatest Book….". Larkin popularized the teachings of John Nelson Darby, who was born in 1800. Darby is considered the father of dispensationalism, and for all practical purposes, Christianity existed until his time without any of the dispensational perspectives which some claim "unlock the understanding of prophecy". If that is true, we are left with 18 centuries of Christians who did not have an adequate view of Biblical prophecy.

Darby’s teachings were followed by William Miller, a Baptist preacher whose followers believed that Christ would return in 1843-44 (the date was re-set when Christ failed to appear). This event is called the Great Disappointment. The same methodology used by Miller has continued to be used, with a few modifications, by dispensationalism until today, 1999 – always with the same miserable result – failed predictions. C.I. Scofield (of the Scofield Reference Bible fame) built upon the teachings of Darby and Miller, and others – and Larkin would have followed, and been a contemporary of Scofield.

Plain Truth Ministries has an award winning video titled, Millennial Madness which gives background in this area – and we recommend a number of other books, one of which is offered in this month’s Plain Truth (along with Millennial Madness) – the book is titled The New Millennium Manual – there are many other books in this area, but I will not list them all here.

Dispensationalism can be interesting – as long as it stays there. The problem is that it often does not and becomes a fixation for Christians, who begin to predict all manner of events leading up to Christ’s return, often with the result that the gospel no longer is the center of their lives, but rather predicting events.

Hope this helps.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht