A Friendly Response to MacArthur's Millennialist Manifesto

Although Waldron shows deep admiration and respect for Pastor MacArthur, his commitment to biblical truth is such that he finds in this manifesto the need to clarify and respond to various issues that seem not to have been precisely addressed and that could create confusion rather than debate.

We are all indebted to Dr. Waldron for this careful and thorough refutation of John MacArthur's quixotic attempt to marry Calvinism with a form of dispensationalist premillennialism. With charity, this book exposes the historical, exegetical, and theological fallacies inherent in Dr. MacArthur's presentation. Although Chiliasm {or Kiliasm} itself is not antithetical to some historical predestinarian theological systems, Dr. Waldron demonstrates that Calvinism itself does not support the arguments in favor of premillennialism as MacArthur claims. Thank you, Dr. Waldron, for showing us how theological refutation can be done with grace and kindness.

Dr. James M. Renihan
President, Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies Theological Seminary
Mansfield, Texas, USA

Samuel Waldron's "friendly response" to John MacArthur's "millennial manifesto" will go a long way toward clarifying what Reformed amillennialists actually believe about the Church and Israel. It is very unfortunate that Dr. Waldron had to write such a book, but given the circumstances, it is difficult to imagine anyone doing a better job. This book is irenic; it is clear and judicious. Most importantly, Waldron makes a strong case that this position is found in Scripture. I highly recommend this book to all who are interested in this controversy.

Dr. Kim Riddlebarger
Senior Pastor, Christ Reformed Church
Anaheim, California, USA

Samuel Waldron's response to John MacArthur's controversial sermon ("Why Every Self-Respecting Calvinist Is a Premillennialist") is a gem. With a meek spirit and awareness of what is at stake, Waldron makes a compelling case against MacArthur's improbable claim, namely, that true Calvinists must subscribe to the principles of dispensational premillennialism. Waldron is not content to make his case based on history, although he does note that history is hardly on MacArthur's side—after all, the first "Calvinist" (John Calvin of Geneva) was hardly a dispensationalist! The heart of Waldron's defense lies in his careful and clear treatment of biblical teaching regarding Israel and the Church of Jesus Christ. Instead of teaching a "replacement" or "supersessionist" theology, which views the Church as an alternative to Israel in God's redemptive purpose, Waldron demonstrates how the Church is the new Israel, composed of Jews and Gentiles alike. The Church is the "Israel of God" in which all the promises of the Old Covenant find their true fulfillment.

Dr. Cornelis P. Venema
President and Professor of Doctrinal Studies, Mid–America Reformed Seminary
Dyer, Indiana, USA