John N. Darby (1800-82)

Importance

•          British leader of Plymouth Brethren movement

•          Systematizer of Dispensationalism

•          Major player in American fundamentalism

•          Divided history into dispensations

•          Held to a future salvation of national Israel

•          Said church and Israel two distinct groups

•          Taught two phases to Christ’s coming—a secret rapture and a visible coming

•          Taught a literal fulfillment of Old Testament promises with Israel

•          Was a hymn writer