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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Hyperdispensationalism	John	Thursday, February 23, 2012
Question: Hi, Brother Ignatius - I'm writing concerning a sect within protestantism called 'hyperdispensationalism'. Although I'm Catholic, up until now (for about three months) I've been attending a protestant Bible Study group in our retirement village. I'm very ecumenical - although in no way do I swerve from my Catholic convictions. This Bible Study group is led by a pastor within the 'Grace Movement' and he and his wife did their theological training at 'Grace Bible College' in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their theology is not just dispensational - it's hyperdispensational! The teaching is that there are in fact TWO gospels - viz. 'The Gospel of the Kingdom' preached by Christ and the other apostles (only for Israel and the Jewish people), and Paul's 'Gospel of Grace' - for us, the 'Body of Christ'. The theology further teaches that what Christ and the other apostles taught is no longer binding on us ('the Body of Christ') in this dispensation! Hence, scripture (the four gospels, Acts, and most of the epistles) do not apply to us Christians! Only St Paul's 'prison epistles' do (i.e. his 'gospel' for this dispensation)! I've done extensive research on 'Grace Bible College' in Grand Rapids, Michigan - where this pastor and his wife come from. To me, this theology sounds blatantly heretical! Would you agree? Have you heard of the 'Grace Movement' and 'Grace Bible College'/'Grace Bible Fellowship'? You will be interested to know that I have left this Bible Study group and have written to the pastor explaining why. However, I'm deeply concerned about those of the residents (protestants) who are still attending this Bible Study and fear they could be led astray. I've told the pastor that I used to be a protestant, but have converted to the Catholic Faith - and I have forwarded him the Catholic Answers link - www.catholic.com - in an attempt to share the truth with him. But to no avail, apparently. He has written back and said that I am deceived, the Pope is the anti-christ - and I'm going to burn in hell because I'm in a false religion! Please do get back to me with your insights concerning this. I have recommended that the Bible Study close down, and I might suggest it be replaced with 'The Alpha Course'. God bless you, Brother Ignatius - JOHN
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), L.Th., D.D. Dear John: Yes, I am familiar with hyperdispensationalism and the so-called "Grace movement". These people are odd birds whose beliefs are considered heretical by nearly every other Protestant denomination. They, in essence, raise St. Paul above Christ. The idea that the Gospels are not binding on us today is loony-tunes. It is good that you left their bible study. As for the others in the bible study, pray for them that they will come to see as nonsense this hyperdispensationalism. If you have the opportunity you may recommend a different bible study, but do not expect much response since this is not only dealing with odd teachings but with the strong disability of being Catholic, the Whore of Babylon to these people. The best that you will likely be able to do here is to pray for them. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Hyperdispensationalism

John

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Question:

Hi, Brother Ignatius -

I'm writing concerning a sect within protestantism called 'hyperdispensationalism'. Although I'm Catholic, up until now (for about three months) I've been attending a protestant Bible Study group in our retirement village. I'm very ecumenical - although in no way do I swerve from my Catholic convictions.

This Bible Study group is led by a pastor within the 'Grace Movement' and he and his wife did their theological training at 'Grace Bible College' in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their theology is not just dispensational - it's hyperdispensational! The teaching is that there are in fact TWO gospels - viz. 'The Gospel of the Kingdom' preached by Christ and the other apostles (only for Israel and the Jewish people), and Paul's 'Gospel of Grace' - for us, the 'Body of Christ'.

The theology further teaches that what Christ and the other apostles taught is no longer binding on us ('the Body of Christ') in this dispensation! Hence, scripture (the four gospels, Acts, and most of the epistles) do not apply to us Christians! Only St Paul's 'prison epistles' do (i.e. his 'gospel' for this dispensation)! I've done extensive research on 'Grace Bible College' in Grand Rapids, Michigan - where this pastor and his wife come from.

To me, this theology sounds blatantly heretical! Would you agree? Have you heard of the 'Grace Movement' and 'Grace Bible College'/'Grace Bible Fellowship'? You will be interested to know that I have left this Bible Study group and have written to the pastor explaining why. However, I'm deeply concerned about those of the residents (protestants) who are still attending this Bible Study and fear they could be led astray.

I've told the pastor that I used to be a protestant, but have converted to the Catholic Faith - and I have forwarded him the Catholic Answers link - www.catholic.com - in an attempt to share the truth with him. But to no avail, apparently. He has written back and said that I am deceived, the Pope is the anti-christ - and I'm going to burn in hell because I'm in a false religion!

Please do get back to me with your insights concerning this. I have recommended that the Bible Study close down, and I might suggest it be replaced with 'The Alpha Course'.

God bless you, Brother Ignatius -
JOHN

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), L.Th., D.D.

Dear John:

Yes, I am familiar with hyperdispensationalism and the so-called "Grace movement". These people are odd birds whose beliefs are considered heretical by nearly every other Protestant denomination. They, in essence, raise St. Paul above Christ. The idea that the Gospels are not binding on us today is loony-tunes.

It is good that you left their bible study. As for the others in the bible study, pray for them that they will come to see as nonsense this hyperdispensationalism. If you have the opportunity you may recommend a different bible study, but do not expect much response since this is not only dealing with odd teachings but with the strong disability of being Catholic, the Whore of Babylon to these people.

The best that you will likely be able to do here is to pray for them.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum