Sperry and Scofield are the two most significant figures in systemising and popularising the Dispensationalist belief's of J. N. Darby. Williams traces the development of dispensationalism as a cultural and theological critique on 19th century America and England and its influence on the current instinctive spiritual beliefs of America. He analyses the internal logic that dispensationalists attempt to apply to their theology and the notable changes that are taking place within it today. "not a book about what was, but about what is still the instinctive, reflexive presumption of much popular Christianity." -- Bryan Chapell "dispensationalist writers treated fully and fairly... Williams is particularly astute on the difficulties encountered in attempting to apply a 'literal hermeneutic' consistently in their theologies. This book deserves the kind of sober and serious attention it has devoted to its subject." -- Mark A. Noll "This is a superior work probably most helpful to those who have experience of traditional Dispensationalist and who are keen to think through its implications outside the realm of Bible interpretation and theology." -- Crawford Gribben, Evangelical Times, "The usefulness of this book extends beyond its historical study to the way it highlights hermeneutical issues that are always with us." -- Naomi Richardson, The Reformed Theological Review Michael D. Williams is Professor of Systematic Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary, St Louis, Missouri. He holds degrees from the Moody Bible Institute, Calvin College, Harvard Divinity School, Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary and University of Toronto. An adult convert to the Christian faith, Dr. Williams has written particularly in the areas of the nature of theology and theological method, history, and human sexuality.