Ethelbert William Bullinger (1837–1913), an Anglican clergyman and biblical scholar, is best known for his role in developing ultradispensationalism, a theological framework that has significantly influenced various Christian movements, including the controversial teachings of Shepherd’s Chapel, led by Arnold Murray. This article examines the theological errors in Bullinger’s teachings, particularly his ultradispensationalism, and explores how these ideas have contributed to the false doctrines propagated by Shepherd’s Chapel, despite divergences in certain areas. By analyzing Bullinger’s hyperdispensationalist views and their adoption by Murray, we aim to highlight the deviations from mainstream Christian theology and their implications.
E.W. Bullinger and Ultradispensationalism
Bullinger’s theological framework, often termed "Bullingerism" or ultradispensationalism, posits that the Christian Church, as the "Body of Christ," did not begin until after the events of Acts 28:28, when Paul declared to the Jewish leaders in Rome, “Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.” This view, later solidified by Charles H. Welch, contrasts with traditional dispensationalism, which typically marks the Church’s beginning at Pentecost in Acts 2, and Mid-Acts dispensationalism, which places it between Acts 9 and Acts 13 with Paul’s ministry.
Bullinger’s ultradispensationalism emphasizes a sharp distinction between Israel and the Church, asserting that only Paul’s Prison Epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians) contain doctrine relevant to the "mystery" Church, while the Gospels, Acts, and other New Testament writings primarily address a Jewish audience. This leads to several controversial positions:
Rejection of Sacraments: Bullinger taught that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper, instituted before Acts 28, are not applicable to the Church, as they belong to the "Jewish Church" or earlier dispensations.
Different Gospels: He suggested that Paul preached a distinct gospel of grace, separate from the "Gospel of the Kingdom" preached by Jesus and the other apostles.
Soul Sleep and Other Doctrines: Some of Bullinger’s followers adopted unorthodox beliefs, such as soul sleep (the idea that the soul is unconscious between death and resurrection) and annihilationism (the belief that the wicked are destroyed rather than eternally punished). While Bullinger himself did not consistently advocate these, they found "congenial soil" in ultradispensationalist circles.
Bullinger’s approach relies on a hyper-literal interpretation of Scripture, which he believed required strict separation of dispensational periods to avoid "confusion." However, this rigid division has been criticized for creating artificial distinctions, diminishing the unity of the New Testament message, and fostering theological errors. Critics, such as H.A. Ironside, labeled Bullinger’s teachings as “an absolutely Satanic perversion of the truth,” arguing that they divide Christians and undermine core doctrines.
Errors in Bullinger’s Theology
Bullinger’s ultradispensationalism introduces several theological errors that deviate from orthodox Christianity:
Over-Division of Scripture: By limiting the Church’s doctrine to Paul’s Prison Epistles, Bullinger dismisses the broader New Testament’s applicability, including the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels. This contradicts the unity of Scripture, as passages like 2 Timothy 3:16 affirm that “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching.”
Rejection of Sacraments: The dismissal of water baptism and the Lord’s Supper as irrelevant to the Church ignores their institution by Jesus (Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25) and their practice in the early Church, even in Paul’s ministry (Acts 16:33, 1 Corinthians 11:20-34).
Multiple Gospels: The claim that Paul preached a different gospel than the other apostles undermines the singular gospel message of salvation through faith in Christ (Galatians 1:6-9). Peter’s preaching in Acts 10:43, emphasizing forgiveness through faith in Jesus, aligns with Paul’s message, showing continuity.
Non-Trinitarian Tendencies: Bullinger’s denial of the Holy Spirit’s personhood places him outside orthodox Trinitarian theology, a position condemned as heresy for centuries.
Unorthodox Views: Bullinger’s support for ideas like the Gap Theory, a flat Earth, and the Gospel in the Stars (constellations as pre-Christian doctrine) further distances his teachings from mainstream Christian scholarship.
These errors, rooted in an overly rigid dispensational framework, have led to significant theological confusion and division, as noted by critics like Charles Ryrie and H.A. Ironside.
Shepherd’s Chapel and Bullinger’s Influence
Shepherd’s Chapel, founded by Arnold Murray in Gravette, Arkansas, has adopted and expanded upon Bullinger’s ultradispensationalist framework, incorporating it into a broader set of unorthodox teachings. Murray, who died in 2014, built a following through television broadcasts and Bible study materials, emphasizing a distinctive interpretation of Scripture heavily influenced by Bullinger’s ideas. Below are key ways Bullinger’s errors have shaped Shepherd’s Chapel’s false doctrines:
Serpent Seed Doctrine: Shepherd’s Chapel teaches the "Serpent Seed" doctrine, claiming that Cain was the offspring of Eve and Satan, a concept rooted in Bullinger’s "two Adams" theory, which distinguishes between “adam” and “‘eth-Ha adam” in Genesis. This teaching, which suggests genetic distinctions in humanity, has been criticized for promoting racial supremacy and anti-Semitism.
Denial of the Trinity: Following Bullinger’s non-Trinitarian leanings, Shepherd’s Chapel promotes a modalistic view of God, denying the distinct personhood of the Holy Spirit and Jesus. This places the ministry outside orthodox Christian doctrine.
Kenite Hypothesis: Murray’s teaching that the Kenites (descendants of Cain) are a distinct, evil race influencing world events draws from Bullinger’s speculative interpretations, such as the Gap Theory and genetic perfection of Noah. This has been accused of fostering anti-Semitic undertones by linking modern groups to a cursed lineage.
Eschatological Errors: Shepherd’s Chapel’s eschatology, influenced by Bullinger’s premillennialism and dispensational divisions, includes unique claims, such as the belief that believers will not face the Tribulation and that a pre-existent world was destroyed before Genesis 1:2. These ideas stem from Bullinger’s Gap Theory and his emphasis on distinct dispensational periods.
Impact of Bullinger’s Errors on Shepherd’s Chapel
Bullinger’s ultradispensationalism provided a theological foundation for Shepherd’s Chapel, enabling Murray to construct a system that diverges from mainstream Christianity. However, Shepherd’s Chapel does not fully align with Bullinger’s views on all points. Notably, Shepherd’s Chapel does not reject water baptism and the Lord’s Supper as irrelevant to the Church, as Bullinger did, and it does not strictly limit doctrine to Paul’s Prison Epistles, instead incorporating broader New Testament teachings into its framework. Despite these differences, Bullinger’s hyperdispensationalist emphasis on distinct dispensations and speculative interpretations, such as the Gap Theory and the "two Adams" concept, significantly influenced Shepherd’s Chapel’s unorthodox doctrines.
The adoption of Bullinger’s ideas has led to a sectarian mindset within Shepherd’s Chapel, isolating followers from mainstream Christian fellowship. The Serpent Seed and Kenite doctrines, built on Bullinger’s speculative exegesis, have fostered division and accusations of cult-like teachings. Moreover, the modalistic view of God, inspired by Bullinger’s non-Trinitarian tendencies, further distances Shepherd’s Chapel from orthodox Christianity. While Shepherd’s Chapel adapts Bullinger’s framework rather than adopting it wholesale, the influence of his rigid dispensationalism and unorthodox interpretations has contributed to a fragmented understanding of Scripture, contradicting the holistic nature of biblical revelation (John 17:17).
Critiques and Consequences
Critics of Bullinger’s ultradispensationalism, such as H.A. Ironside and Charles Ryrie, argue that it produces “evil fruits” by dividing Christians, rejecting core practices, and promoting heretical ideas like soul sleep and annihilationism. Shepherd’s Chapel amplifies these issues by combining Bullinger’s framework with additional errors, such as modalism and the Serpent Seed doctrine.
The consequences of these teachings include:
Division in the Church: By adopting Bullinger’s dispensational divisions, even if not fully embracing his views on sacraments or the Prison Epistles, Shepherd’s Chapel creates a theology that alienates believers from the broader Christian tradition.
Heresy and Isolation: The adoption of non-Trinitarian views and speculative doctrines like the Serpent Seed places Shepherd’s Chapel outside orthodox Christianity, isolating followers from mainstream fellowship.
Anti-Semitic Undertones: The Kenite hypothesis and related teachings risk fostering prejudice by linking modern groups to a supposed evil lineage, a distortion rooted in Bullinger’s speculative exegesis.
Conclusion
E.W. Bullinger’s ultradispensationalism, with its rigid separation of dispensations and speculative interpretations, introduced significant theological errors that deviate from orthodox Christianity. While Shepherd’s Chapel does not fully adopt Bullinger’s rejection of sacraments or his exclusive focus on Paul’s Prison Epistles, his hyperdispensationalist framework has profoundly influenced its false doctrines, including the Serpent Seed doctrine, modalism, and the Kenite hypothesis. These teachings, built on Bullinger’s errors, have led to accusations of heresy and cult-like behavior, isolating followers from mainstream Christianity. Christians are encouraged to approach Scripture holistically, affirming the unity of the gospel and the validity of all God-breathed Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16), to avoid the pitfalls of hyperdispensationalism and its offshoots.