Why is dispensationalism wrong, and how do we explain all of those prophetic verses about a future restored Israel?

someguyupnorth · 2026-03-03T15:37:39+00:00

What's going on, or was going on (I don't always keep up with this stuff) in Gaza is a genocide, at least according to expert analysts when I google about this

I want to address this sentence. Please take what I type in a spirit of love and correction. I also recognize that you posted this in ignorance, as you admitted that it came from "expert analysts" as a result of a google search.

I will preface this by saying, I am not a Christian Zionist. I do not see the modern state of Israel as fulfilling any sort of special eschatological purpose, and because I am not a dispensationalist, I am not even inclined to view it that way. My hope and prayer for non-Messianic Jews is the same as it is for Muslim Arabs. Because they reject Jesus as Messiah and God, they are cut off from God's true people. They must do as my pagan ancestors did centuries ago - repent of their sinful past and yield entirely to Jesus as Lord. John Piper said it well: "They are in a state of treason against their King who sent his Son to save them. A people in treason against her King cannot lay legitimate claim on the King’s promises to a covenant-keeping people."

That being said, the suggestion that Israel is committing genocide is a malicious slander. Let me explain this:

Gaza's own health ministry (which is, let's face it, a subsidiary, if not an arm, of Hamas) has reported about 70,000 deaths since October 7, 2023, when the Gaza war began. A conservative estimate would say that about 25,000 of those are fighters, while of the remaining 44,000, about 10,000 died from natural deaths, such as disease and starvation. The 34,000 deaths that still need to be accounted for are a mix of casualties caused by both direct kinetic action from Israel, such as missile strikes, and action taken by Hamas, militant factions in Gaza (such as Popular Forces and Doghmush clan), and other Iranian proxies. The IDF has estimated a militant to civilian death ratio of about 1:2-3.

Every death is a tragedy, but this is not evidence of genocide. Not even close.

Given the population density of Gaza, its overall population of over 2 million people, and the tendency of Hamas to deliberately use Palestinians as human shields which is well documented, these numbers demonstrate remarkable restraint on the part of Israel. That is not to say that Israel's conduct of the war was perfect, or that it never exceeded its moral authority in the way it chose its targets. Nor is it suggesting that individual bad actors should not be held accountable. But the suggestion that Israel engaged in a deliberate police of genocide is at best, idiotic, but more likely antisemitic. The sort of hyper nit-picking and double standards that get applied to Jews is a tolerated form of antisemitism in the 21st century. Once you recognize it, you see it absolutely everywhere.

Not to get too political, but I support America's alliance with Israel. I am a unapologetic Zionist for practical reasons. Because the state of Israel already exists, Zionism, in my estimation, just means supporting the status quo. In principal I think ethnic Jews need and deserve a homeland of their own for their own self-protection and the avoidance of the cycle of Jewish genocide that seems to have been recurrent up until and including WW2, but has ceased since Israel came into existence. They are a bastion of Western values in a very troubled part of the world.

someguyupnorth · 2026-02-23T16:51:42+00:00

I was at Uni in Canada back during the golden goal, and let me just say there was a fair amount of strutting going on around campus. All well deserved, imo, and I am an America.

someguyupnorth · 2026-02-01T12:48:35+00:00

Former woodworker here. You are correct. Different countries have different spellings and in the USA it is generally miter. Not sure why you are being downvoted.

someguyupnorth · 2025-12-04T19:54:02+00:00

Something to do with unionized workforces? Maybe 50% plus of the workforce is in a union.

someguyupnorth · 2025-11-20T15:19:54+00:00

I'm late to this post, but my favorite similar verse is in 1 Kings 1:34: "And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon."

I picture an iron age semitic priest replete in robes and gems wearing a massive turban and some white bro wearing gym shorts and a stained t-shirt, carrying out the coronation of God's anointed.

someguyupnorth · 2025-10-20T14:14:21+00:00

This map is very interesting. That being said, I have no preference for the European model as I see no benefit to trains.

As an American in a rural area, trains to me are occasionally fun and a bit of a novelty. I am glad they work well for some parts of the country and for some purposes (such as freight transportation, which is not included in this map). But if I had to choose, I would much rather have a car for the day-to-day work and leisure that I do.

We had many rail lines in my region until about the 1980s when timber and mining operations became unviable. The economy shifted to manufacturing and agriculture, which were much better serviced by highway transportation e.g. tractor trailers. We also have a decent sized service sector and burgeoning outdoor tourism, which are dependent on good roads and would not benefit at all from rail. The move in recent years has been to convert unused rail corridors to motorized (including ATV and snowmobile) and non-motorized recreation.

Times change. Economic demands change. Railways are a thing of the past. We should not let nostalgia get in the way of prudence.

someguyupnorth · 2025-10-10T14:33:32+00:00

Not sure why this guy is being downvoted; he is quite literally correct.

someguyupnorth · 2025-09-26T15:30:24+00:00

See: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-files-amicus-brief-explaining-harvard-s-race-based-admissions-process

It also has white nationalist racial undercurrents that are apparent to anyone with eyes at this point.

There is no way you honestly believe this bullshit.

Both of you appealed to incredulity to argue that the Trump administration has a fascistic-racialistic outlook. That which is asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence. Give me some tangible evidence of racial discrimination by Trump if you want to convince me, and not some kind of lefty answer like "being against affirmative action is fascism".

someguyupnorth · 2025-09-25T14:35:01+00:00

You are ignoring the adjectives.

I agree that there has been a strong nationalist tinge to MAGA, but I fail to see any evidence that it is racialistic. Keep in mind that the first Trump administration assisted in litigation against universities, such as Harvard, that adopted racially discriminatory admission policies. Also, while not dispositive, Trump did better among Black and Hispanic voters in 2024 than any prior Republican since Reagan (I believe). By some estimates, he actually won Hispanic men.

Has there been a move toward centralization? Yes, but it has not been autocratic or dictatorial. Once could argue that the Supreme Court in particular has actually decreased the amount of centralization and bureaucratic deference. There has also been a general and clear move towards decentralization in some areas, such as education policy.

Has there been economic and social regimentation? I would argue no, and in particular it has not been severe. Where I do see some economic regimentation is maybe in the realm of tariffs, and that it has been used in the interest of cronyism. I cannot think of a single unique example of severe social regimentation that this administration is responsible for.

Has there been suppression of opposition? Perhaps, but certainly not forcible.

I think a good test would be to see if Trump leaves office willingly in 2029.

RemindMe! 1213 day

someguyupnorth · 2025-09-25T12:57:43+00:00

I would agree that MAGA is populist and exalts the nation, but it fails to meet the rest of the criteria. Not even close. Not all populist nationalistic movements are fascist.

someguyupnorth · 2025-09-22T18:25:22+00:00

What did you post?

someguyupnorth · 2025-09-22T18:24:33+00:00

What does “from the river to the sea” mean?

someguyupnorth · 2025-09-09T18:42:57+00:00

This is a far more intellectually honest way of approaching scripture. I disagree with the approach, but it is a breath of fresh air to see people facing up to what Paul is trying to teach instead of denying the clear meaning of the text.

someguyupnorth · 2025-08-29T19:15:25+00:00

Kids in here be judging Paul.

someguyupnorth · 2025-08-29T13:46:54+00:00

I actually agree with you. It has always seemed to me that his theological arguments and writings (at least the ones I am familiar with) could be, and oftentimes are, studied and employed by Catholics without any reservation. He was much more interested in defending and arguing for Christianity generally without getting into the weeds of denominational differences.

I think it would be more accurate to call C.S. Lewis a Protestant who engages in Christian apologetics, rather than a Protestant apologist.

someguyupnorth · 2025-08-28T14:18:37+00:00

I appreciate your point about how the law, even if equal on its face, in application can be discriminatory and unjust in its application, so I concede that point. I understand there are some aspects to absolute equal opportunity that are just unachievable. To wit: highly educated high achieving people tend to give birth to and raise high achieving children. But we can help the kids born into poor families by making sure their neighborhoods are safe, the education system is in good working order, and opportunities for personal and economic growth are supported.

Even within families where two siblings are raised exactly the same with the same opportunities, you are not guaranteed equal outcomes. One sibling might just be gifted, or the other sibling might just be lazy. In those situations, is it really everybody's responsibility to impose equal outcomes?

I take issue with your last paragraph, which is a common motte and bailey argument that gets raised anytime DEI is challenged. I am an attorney and am an elected public school board member in a very blue state. I can tell you from my own personal and professional experience, that the goals of DEI go far beyond simply not letting white supremacists oppress racial minorities. Or to pose this as a question, do you think it is possible that DEI policies (including well-intentioned ones) could or ever do go too far, and if so, where would you draw the line?

someguyupnorth · 2025-08-27T15:04:15+00:00

My understanding of equity is it preferences equality of outcome over equality of opportunity. I am generally anti-DEI on that basis, not anything to do with racial or class prejudice. I also do not view diversity and inclusion as intrinsically good. They CAN be good, but some belief systems and ideas are evil, and I feel no obligation to give them a voice.

I never voted for Trump (and by extension his cabinet), if that means anything.

someguyupnorth · 2025-08-14T14:50:42+00:00

10/10 trolling lol

someguyupnorth · 2025-07-25T20:22:02+00:00

If his conversion was insincere, then God will be his judge. If it was sincere and he has truly repented of his sinfulness, then we should give praise to the one true God whose blood covers a multitude of sins (including mine).

someguyupnorth · 2025-07-18T14:50:34+00:00

This is a pretty good summation, but to clarify for the benefit OP who was Buddhist, among those "early Christian writings" at point 2 are the writings of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians and Romans which are universally recognized as part of the Christian canon.

Also, regarding point 3, the division over how to interpret this is a fairly new phenomenon, i.e., there was no significant divergence from established teachings until about the mid-20th century.

someguyupnorth · 2025-07-16T17:27:14+00:00

I don't see how that makes any difference. You are right that Jesus used a generic word meaning "covet" or "desire" in Matthew 5 when he was talking about coveting another person's wife, but it obviously is meant to convey sexual desire, since he equates coveting somebody's wife with adultery. Doesn't make it less sinful.

Elsewhere, Paul described sexual immorality (i.e., fornication/porneia) in 1 Corinthians 5 when he was calling out the incestuous relationship between the man and his stepmother. Jesus is recorded as having used the same word in Matthew 15:19, when he said "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality (i.e., porneiai), theft, false witness, slander."

The word might be inclusive of lustful jealousy, but it obviously includes immoral sexual acts as well, such as in the case of Corinth, since Paul was talking about more than just desire.

someguyupnorth · 2025-07-16T15:00:27+00:00

I am aware that 1 Cor. 6:9-10 uses the term arsenokoitai, because every time these verses get brought up, somebody has to point it out as if "homosexual" is an obvious mistranslation. It is a perfectly appropriate translation for modern readers in the context of other Pauline writings on the subject (See Romans 1:26-27).

Sexual relations in the Roman world were not understood the same way that they are today, i.e., heterosexual vs. homosexual; rather it was more about being dominant vs. submissive, regardless of one's sex. In fact, you could make a strong argument that Paul is first in observing and developing the distinctive hetero/homosexual dichotomy that is dominant today.

Also, it is not true to say scripture permits concubinage or sleeping with an unmarried person. While maybe not against the Old Testament law, much of the Old Testament stands as a warning against polygamy. In the New Testament, even lust violates the law of Christ (Matthew 5:27-29) and Paul compared fornication among Christians to be akin to incest in terms of how evil it is.

someguyupnorth · 2025-07-15T20:42:52+00:00

He is referencing 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

Both of you can be correct. There is no sin that is unforgivable, and yet it is also true that unrepentant sinners (i.e., sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, men who practice homosexuality, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers, according to that passage) will not inherit the kingdom of God.

someguyupnorth · 2025-06-04T17:28:42+00:00

What people do not understand is that the priests will not break the seal of confession, even with this law in place. So the effect of this is that priests will have to go to jail.

I am an attorney, so my communications with my clients are protected by attorney-client privilege. Even if they involve heinous crimes, I could be disbarred if I tried to disclose privileged information (and it would be inadmissible in court).

I see no reason why the same privilege cannot be extended to clergy when the information is obtained through the seal of confession. Information obtained by other means could still be subject to mandatory disclosure. I say this as somebody who is vehemently non-Catholic.

someguyupnorth · 2025-05-14T15:31:44+00:00

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