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Interview Prof. Hans LaRondelle
The result of this literalistic hermeneutic is the sharp separation between “Israel” and the “Church,” and between “dispensations” of law and of grace. On the basis of this assumption, its prophetic focus of attention is not on the Church of Christ but on “Israel” as the Jewish race and the modern State of Israel. In the Dispensational view the true church is exclusively the invisible community of reborn believers in Christ. This “church” shall suddenly and secretly be raptured away from the world to heaven at any time. Only after this “rapture” has taken place will God continue His original “program” for the nation of Israel.
Shabbat Shalom: Dispensationalists argue that because Jews keep the Law and Christians have the Messiah that we have two different and irreconcilable dispensations. Wouldn't this difference rather testify complementarity and show the need for learning from each other?
LaRondelle: A fruitful dialogue can be expected only when both parties are well informed of and respect each other’s position. Protestant theologians may then present their reasons for the legitimation and validation of the New Testament, and discuss the Messianic promises and particularly the “new-covenant” promises. Jewish theologians may testify to the larger theocentric scope of divine revelation that embraces the sanctification of the earth, of humanity, its ethos and culture. Seventh-day Adventist Bible scholars could lead out in such dialogues, because their theology acknowledges the essential unity and continuity of both Testaments.