When you reply to a Darby Follower, you have to keep in mind that they believe only verses from Romans - Philemon apply to them.
Such is life in the "secret parenthetical dispensation"
I thought it fitting to use half of the verses as Romans. Normally, we are talking about Systematic Theologies 'within' Christian orthodoxy. I realize some of this may indeed cross the 'salvation' barrier, but for my part, scriptures are important.
From what I understand:
1) There are MAD and MAD/OV combinations represented on TOL. It seems, like Danoh suggests, we cannot address all of them in a lump sum without doing a disservice, whatever our concern. I'm a Calvinist, so greatly empathize with this need to understand each in their own context.
2) I couldn't be Dispensational any longer. I realized Acts 2 wasn't consistent enough and was full of holes. For me, Covenant fit what I was reading and understanding in scripture, though I'd have thought I was a New Covenant/Dispensational hybrid even when I first came to TOL.
MAD and TOL have helped me to think more clearly about how my scriptural understanding fits together.
3) MAD is a service to me. As simple as it is, I think it a good place to start understanding, as a gentile, what God expects of us. In a lot of ways, the simple message is what all need in Christ: To know salvation is a simple and complete trust in Christ alone (sola Fide - faith alone; sola Gratia - by grace alone; solus Christus - through Christ alone). I unequivocally believe in the 5 solas, even up against others not MAD.
MAD, imho, is so clearly forward and child-like in faith, I admire it for the stance on the 5 Solas. In and of that, MAD is as Reformed as the best of us, imho.
4) I read these threads, but don't often get involved. To me, it is 'infighting' rather than "us/them." I count you all my brothers and sisters in Christ unless the Lord shows me differently. I'd rather err on the side of grace, wholly believing the scriptures I posted, that all who call on Him will not be ashamed. I'm okay with disagreement and understand that others have a lot more at stake as well as see the difference as salvific. To me, the discussion is good and I have some of the same concerns about MAD, not as adverse, just that it doesn't fit for my scriptural understanding, mostly as far as eschatology and history rewrite. Imho, such differences don't really touch trust and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
5) Maybe start a thread: MAD, what do you love and embrace about the Lord Jesus Christ, His teaching, ministry, and salvation?
I think they love and embrace a lot more than might be surmised. I don't know of one MAD that doesn't love the Lord Jesus Christ, value and read everything about Him and what He says.
6) If I weren't Covenant, even with the problems I see with MAD, I'd have embraced it simply because, to me, it embraces the 5 solas and stands very firm on them.
7) In some ways, I 'think' some of the contention is moot: MAD only believes one gospel exists today. "Good news" is that the Lord Jesus Christ is able to save to the uttermost those who are perishing. Hebrews 7:25