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Book Review: Code Breaker

June 26th, 2008 at 02:13am Albert McIlhenny

The Apocalypse Code: Find Out What the Bible REALLY Says About the End Times . . . and Why It Matters Today – Hank Hanegraaff Thomas Nelson (April 2007) Topic: Eschatology Summary: Critique of dispensationalism Rating:

Beginning with the publication of the Scofield Reference Bible, dispensationalism began a climb from the farthest fringes of fundamentalism to center stage as the de facto eschatology of Evangelical Protestantism. By the 1970s, this eschatalogical system became further entrenched books like Hal Lindsey’s The Late Great Planet Earth and the film A Thief in the Night that became cultural landmarks of the growing Evangelical movement.

Undoubtedly, part of the reason for the unchallenged acceptance of dispensationalism was the collapse of the opitmism characteristic of the 19th century and the postmillennial views that accompanied it in the face of 20th century horrors. The counterculture movement that grew out of the 1960s only reiforced the view that the world was coming apart at the seams. In addition, churches outside the Evangelical movement had not placed much emphasis on eschatology and so Evangelicals had little need to interact with competing ideas.

In the last few years, this has changed greatly. Partly in response to popularity of the Left Behind book series and the use of the Christian media by dispensationaslist prophecy pundits, apologists from other traditions began clearly articulating opposing views and exposing the flaws in the dispensationalist hermeneutic. The interaction has led many Evangelicals to reexamine their positions and, for the first time in a generation, there are prominent Evangelical Protestants who are taking up the banners of competing eschatologies.

One prominent example is Hank Hanegraaff, host of the popular radio program The Bible Answer Man, who has of late become a critic of the dispensationalist view. In The Apocalypse Code, Hanegraaff takes aim at diispensationalism as violating the basic tenets of sound Biblical interpretation and formanting hysteria and a distorted view of the world.

The author is known for his use of mnemonic devices to aid in remembering key points and here uses the acrinym LIGHTS to indicate the five principles (Literal, Illumination, Grammatical, Historical, Typology, and Scriptural Synergy) for properly interpreting the passages in Holy Scripture pertaining to the end times. With each, Hanegraaff outlines the failings of the dispensationalist hermeneutic and offers an alternate interpretation that conforms in most essentials to an orthodox form of preterism.

The case against dispensationalism is clear and convincing and Hanegraaff demonstrates how many of the more arcane passages in the Book of Revelation are made much clearer by referring to the context of parallel passages in the Old Testament. It is the Old Testament, he insists, that provides the matrix for interpreting apocalyptic passages and not the fanciful hermeneutic that lies at the core of dispensational thinking.

The weakest point of the book is his argument for the composition of the Book of Revelation prior to 70 A.D. While he has presented a coherent argument in favor, he did not take into account the power of the case for a later date that is the generally held view. It also might have helped to add an extra chapter summarizing his interpretaition of the final book of the New Testament. While, much of it was dealt with in earlier chapters, piecing it together from scattered passages takes some effort and having it in one place in summary form would be very helpful.

Overall, The Apocalypse Code signals a welcome development as many Evangelicals are seeking a more mature approach to eschatology than the convoluted reasoning behind the dispensationalist hermeneutic. For those interested in eschatology as well as those who follow trends in Evangelical Protestantism, it provides an antidote to the muddled approach to eschatology that has long held Evangelical Protestantism hostage.

Entry Filed under: Eschatology, Hanegraaff, Hank, Highly Recommended Books, Miscellaneous