BROADCASTS.com

The Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) has changed its position on end times doctrine. The denomination recently voted to drop the word \u201cpremillennial\u201d from its statement of faith.\nSo what prompted the change?\n\u201cWe say that we \u2018major on the majors and minor on the minors,\u201d the EFCA said in an internal document. \nThe denomination noted that they did not take a stance on the Reformed v. Arminian view of conversion, the age of the earth, infant v. adult baptism, and whether the gifts of the spirit had ceased or were still active.\nIn light of that, \u201cwe believe there is a significant inconsistency in continuing to include premillennialism as a required theological position when it is clear that the nature of the millennium is one of those doctrines over which theologians, equally knowledgeable, equally committed to the Bible, and equally Evangelical, have disagreed through the history of the church,\u201d the document stated.\nThe church has held multiple positions on the End Times held by the Early Church fathers, says Daniel Hummel, a historian of US religion and foreign relations.\n\u201cBut in more recent evangelical history, postmillennialism dominated in the early part of American history and colonial history,\u201d said Hummel. \u201cPeople like Jonathan Edwards saw revivals as inaugurating the millennium, as bringing in this deeply Christian era that would last a thousand years and then conclude with Jesus personally returning.\u201d\nThen, after the carnage of the Civil War, Americans became more pessimistic, which, in turn, affected their eschatological views.\n\u201cPremillennialism become sort of the main tradition and the air that a lot of evangelicals breathe throughout the 20th century,\u201d said Hummel.\nHummel joined digital media producer Morgan Lee and editor in chief Mark Galli to discuss the rise and fall of premillennialism, the influence of Left Behind, and the significance of the EFCA\u2019s decision.\nWhat is \u201cQuick to Listen\u201d? Read more\nFollow the podcast on Twitter\n\nFollow our host on Twitter: Morgan Lee\n\nSubscribe to Mark\u2019s newsletter: The Galli Report\n\nVisit Daniel Hummel\u2019s website\n\nMusic by Sweeps\n\nQuick to Listen is produced by Morgan Lee and Matt Lindor\n\nThis episode of Quick to Listen is brought to you in part by Fearfully and Wonderfully: The Marvel of Bearing God's Image, a newly updated and combined book by Paul Brand and Philip Yancey, from InterVarsity Press. For 40% off and free US shipping on this book and any other IVP title, visit ivpress.com and use promo code POD19.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices