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A Rare Early Bible Study Chart By Clarence Larkin

Scarce time line chart was developed by Reverend Clarence Larkin and revised (and published) by Rev. I.N. Earle.

Larkin is well-known for his exacting and meticulous chart designs, describing a premillennialist view of scripture and dispensational study.  Though by no means the first to teach dispensational study of the Bible, Larkin’s charts and drawings, which he originally created for his use in the pulpit, resulted in instilling interest in those subjects and he became a popular teacher of his time. His charts, originally called "Prophetic Truth," were widely published and in great demand.

The chart depicts the life of Jesus Christ color-coded for time and location as well as for the book of the Gospel from which the events are taken.

Quite an unusual and fascinating piece, including a map of Jerusalem and Palestine to assist with referencing the chart. 

Clarence Larkin

Rev. Clarence Larkin (1850–1924) was an American Baptist pastor, Bible teacher and author.  Larkin's writings on Dispensationalism had a great impact on conservative Protestant visual culture in the 20th century.

Larkin's intricate and influential charts provided readers with a visual strategy for mapping God's action in history and for interpreting complex biblical prophecies.

At 21 years old, he went to college, graduating as a mechanical engineer.  He worked for awhile as a draftsman, then became a teacher of the blind. This last endeavor cultivated his descriptive faculties, while his drafter's training influenced his artistic style. Later, failing health compelled him to give up his teaching career. After a prolonged rest, he became a manufacturer.

In 1884, he became a Baptist. He wrote the book Why I Am a Baptist as part of that study. He was ordained as a Baptist minister two years later, going directly from business into the ministry. Larkin's first pastorate was at Kennett Square, Pennsylvania; his second was at Fox Chase, Pennsylvania, where he remained for 20 years. His study of the Scriptures led him to adopt many of the tenets of the premillennialist theology that was gaining favor in conservative Protestant circles in the Gilded Age.

Larkin began to make large wall charts, which he titled "Prophetic Truth," for use in the pulpit. These led to invitations to teach elsewhere. During this time he published a number of prophetical charts, which were widely circulated and contributed articles for the Sunday School Times.

In 1918, he completed Dispensational Truth, but high demand for the work led him to produce a greatly expanded edition of 1920. Larkin was an advocate of gap creationism.

Rarity

The chart is very rare on the market.  OCLC locates 5 examples.