There Really is a Difference!: A Comparison of Covenant and Dispensational Theology

by Renald Showers

Book Overview

This volume focuses on the differences between the Covenant and Dispensational systems of theology and examines their diverse approaches to such issues as: -- God's Ultimate Purpose for History--... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0915540509
• ISBN13: 9780915540501
• Release Date: March 1990
• Publisher: Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
• Length: 225 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful

I agree wholeheartedly with all the positive reviewers of this book. With regards to the negative reviews, apparently they failed to read the Product Description. This book is EXACTLY what the Product Description says it is. Yes, it "presents an apology for dispensational-premillennial system of theology", as this is the author's point of view and the slant of the book. Although it does an excellent job of pointing out differences, it does not present a complete apology for Covenant Theology (again, read the Product Description). "The book is written in easy-to-understand, nontechnical language and has received favorable response form lay people, pastors, students, and reviewers." That's true, it does not contain rigorous proof-texts; look for a book aimed at a more scholarly audience if that's what you want. However, the author provides a multitude of Scripture verses to support his arguments. Bottom line: It is an excellent introduction/primer/survey of Dispensational Theology and (to a lessor degree) Covenant Theology, as well as millennial views. I found it a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable read.

Excellent comparison of covenant vs dispensational theology

This is a excellent, honest and scholarly presentation of the vast differences between covenant and dispensational theology. It makes the case for dispensational theology being the biblical position and shows the many errors that form the Reformed position. As a biblical dispensationalist I highly recommend Showers' work.

Excellent Overview

This book provides a functional overview of the differences between "Covenant Theology" and "Dispensationalism" (two radically different interpretative frameworks used when studying the Scriptures). Though it's an easy to read book, the author doesn't sacrifice theological substance. Moreover, the author presents the basic issues between the two systems in a coherent way, free of technical jargon and obscurantism. My only criticism of the book is that it reads somewhat in a stilted way, with a lot of numbered lists and a bit of repetition in the arguments. Nonetheless, if you are interested in the subject matter and the truth of the issues, this stylistic criticism can be easily overlooked. The prospective reader should be forewarned, however, that Dr. Showers is himself a dispensationalist, so if you are looking for a more "dispassionate" comparison of these two systems of theology, you might want to supplement this book with one that is pro-Covenant theology. I gave this book 5 stars because it sets forth the dispensational case in a powerful manner. I have yet to read anything from the Covenant side that can even approximate the cogency and integrity of a basic dispensational position that is grounded in the historical-grammatical method of reading the Scriptures. The issue, as you'll see if you read this book, has to do with the hermeneutic method employed when studying the Torah, and how these implications are then used to read the New Testament.

Very accessible book on dispensationalism vs. covenant theology

Showers book is certainly more accessible than Ryrie's "Dispensationalism." "There really is a difference" is a great book for someone not familiar with the most basic parts of dispensationalism and provides a good foundation with which to build on. Showers does a good job of remaining neutral and not hurling insults at those who hold to Covenant Theology. If you don't have a clue about dispensationalism or covenant theology this book is a great place to start! If you are looking for something technical and scholarly, go with Ryrie's book. Both these men are very clearly dispensationalist and present their arguments from that perspective. grace and peace to you.

The pure and simple essence of truth

As a Jew (my Hebrew name is Yisrael) who is a follower of our Messiah Jesus, I received dispensational teaching (unbeknowst to me) from the time I had been saved. Over the years, teachers from the covenant theology and partial preterist schools influenced me by taking making (seemingly) intellecutally ground arguments about phrases such as "this generation" in Matthew 24 or by attacking dispensationalism as a (supposed)heresy that arose in the 1830's; all the while not volunteering that (historic) pre-millenialism was the earlies view of the church fathers. Neither did they volunteer that covenant theology ascribes to two (or three) covenants not explicitly identified in scripture. At one point, I was nearly (sick) and convinced that our Lord had given up on Israel and let the church inherit the blessings. Dr. Shower's book was a Godsend. In a sound (non-boring) presentation, he makes a clear case on the (mostly)literal interpretation of the entire bible as a single unit and in doing so: (1) identifies the strengths of the dispensational system; and (2) identifies the errors and non-sequitur assumptions in covenant theology. I recommend this book to you so that you will see how to interpret the bible as a "unit" and so that you will not become caught in the snares of those who state that the miracle of the State of Israel is a coincidence and of no significance. He makes a compelling biblical case that now firmly has me truly appreciative that we are alive at this time in this dispensation of grace. Thank you, Dr. Showers. Gary and Carla Goldberg - Palmer, AK