Title: Christian Zionism and the Scofield Reference Bible: A Critical evaluation of Dispensational
By: David Lance Dean
Publisher: Westwood Books Publishing LLC
ISBN: Paperback 978-0-578-41199-6
Pages: 176
Genre: Non-Fiction
Reviewed by: Aaron Washington
Pacific Book Review
I was impressed that the author David Lance Dean thought it fit to introduce the reader to the influencers of the teachings of Christian Zionism before delving deeper into the subject matter. The author included a brief biography of John Nelson Darby (1800-1882), whom I came to learn translated the original King James Version of the Bible into French. He also finished his personal translation of the New Testament (1867) and titled it ‘The Holy Scriptures.’ Reading about John Nelson Darby’s life gave me an insight into how religion was in Scotland around 1800. Cyrus I. Scofield’s (1843-1921) history was quite interesting too.
Theology is a common subject in today’s world. Different religions may have varying teachings but the common base in theology is the belief of one supreme God. Chapter two of this book gave me a clear picture of how religion is perceived in the Americas and in Europe, and why some churches have different doctrines. The author writes about the corruption of Bible scriptures, giving an example of how people were made to believe the Israelites were all redeemed and secured by the sacrifice of an animal. The author notes though Israel came out of Egypt through the blood of the Passover lamb, it is not possible that two individuals from the whole generation died in the wilderness because of unbelief.
I enjoyed reading David Dean’s take on the dispensation of the church. One point I particularly liked was that which talked about the rapture. Using Bible scriptures, the author clearly explained how different verses give varying statements on the rapture of the church and end-time prophesies. Reading this book is not only eye-opening but also makes one curious about certain narratives in the Christian Bible. The teaching of freedom as concerns the prophecy of Daniel’s seventy weeks was another brilliant analysis in the book.
Through this book, the readers learn that telling and knowing the truth is the basis of Christian life. God is supreme and spirituality is important for the base for every believer. You get a sense of being more informed about the Bible after reading this book. The author also debunked some false information that is widely believed by Christians.
Christian Zionism and the Scofield Reference Bible is a great read for anyone who loves reading about theology and what the system teaches. The author was thorough in his research and gave detailed explanations. I appreciate the author’s effort when expounding, as he made me grasp the concepts of Christian Zionism and the gospel. David Lance Dean is a smooth writer. His notes are clear for everyone and his writing style commendable. I also enjoyed reading the epilogue as he shared a few facts of his life. This book is not only a light read but also a fantastic publication.
