READING TIME: 3-5 MINUTES
April 27, 2020
Could you please explain Dispensationalism?
For parents, we understand that the child’s relationship with us changes over time. In other words, parents and children do not relate to each other during the high school years the same way as in the elementary school years or during the period of infancy.
Similarly, as we look at biblical history, we see that God related to humanity in various ways. Several times in the Bible, this relationship changed when man sinned. So, dispensationalism is the idea that God related to people through biblical history in unique ways. Each of these unique historical relationships between God and people is called a dispensation. In each dispensation, God gave humanity a specific responsibility. Along with this responsibility or test, we also see in each dispensation a failure on the part of humanity to pass that test or fulfill that responsibility. And then a particular dispensation ends with God bringing a form of judgment indicating the end of one dispensation and the beginning of another. I like the way Dr. Bozung explains that “dispensationalism is a theological system or a way of organizing the data of Scripture into logical categories.”
I believe in seven dispensations, though I understand that some dispensationalists might have a slightly different number. These seven dispensations include (1) innocence (Gen 1-3), (2) conscience (Gen 4-8), (3) government (Gen. 9-11), (4) promise (Gen. 12-Ex. 18), (5) law (Ex. 19-Acts 1), (6) grace (Acts 2-Rev. 19) and (7) kingdom (Rev 20). I understand that some regard the future seven-year Tribulation as the 8th dispensation.
I believe that God has chosen to govern or administer His purpose on earth through man under seven dispensations. These changes in government are a result of God’s choice and do not mean that His character ever changes. At least three of these dispensations are mentioned in the Bible and are the subject of extended revelation (the Dispensation of the Law, the church-age Dispensation of Grace, and the future dispensation of the Millennial Kingdom.
I believe that literal interpretation is one of the key characteristics of Dispensationalism. This is the method that gives each word the same meaning it would have in normal, ordinary, usual, and customary usage. This method of interpretation is based on a proper understanding of grammar, logic, history, geography, archaeology, and theology (systematic, biblical, and practical). “The Golden Rule of Biblical Interpretation:” when the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense, but take every word at its normal, usual, ordinary meaning unless the facts of the immediate context indicate otherwise. We should approach the words of a Scripture passage in the same basic way that we would any other type of literature (of course the difference is the Bible is fully inspired) or any ordinary conversation.
A second key aspect of dispensationalism is the idea that the nation of Israel must be held “distinct” from the church. The church is certainly not the “new Israel.” See pages in my Ask Pastor David e-blasts document pp. 271-280 for my discussion on Gal 6:16, a passage Replacement Theologians love to distort.
I strongly reject Supersessionism or replacement theology, the wrong idea that the church is seen to supersede or replace God’s purposes and plan for Israel.
I do not agree that the Old Testament should be interpreted in light of New Testament revelation. I believe that the OT must be interpreted in its original context and on its terms. I do recognize the progress of revelation.
A third defining characteristic of dispensationalism is that the purpose of each dispensation is not just to redeem people (though of course, that is very important), but it is to fulfill God’s plan and purpose and bring Him glory (cf. Eph 1:3-14; 3:10).
I don’t agree with Progressive Dispensationalism, that Christ is now fulfilling the terms of the Davidic Covenant. I don’t agree with their overemphasis on social responsibility. I don’t agree with their spiritualization of the Old Testament promises of an earthly kingdom ruled by a literal king in Jerusalem (Is 2:2-4; Zech 14:9-21).
Some critics think that dispensationalism teaches more than one way of salvation in the OT compared to the NT. This isn’t correct. The requirement for salvation in both testaments is the same (faith alone). The object of our saving faith in both is the same (God). The means of salvation in any age is the same (Christ’s blood). The basis of salvation in every age is the same (Christ’s death), but the content of our faith from age to age (in the various dispensations) changes.
Several benefits of being a dispensationalist are it’s possible to make better sense of the Bible, it helps us to avoid misinterpreting Scripture, it gives us a clear perspective of the course of human history, and it provides significant hope and comfort for believers as well as a major motivation to holiness in life.
I’ll end this question with a quote from Renald Showers in his superb book, Maranatha: Our Lord, Come!” (p. 148), regarding what kind of impact the knowledge of the rapture should have on our lives when he writes, “The fact that the glorified, holy Son of God could step through the door of heaven at any moment is intended by God to be the most pressing, incessant motivation for holy living and aggressive ministry (including missions, evangelism, and Bible teaching) and the greatest cure for lethargy and apathy. It should make a difference in every Christian’s values, actions, priorities, and goals.”
Source Used
Bozung, Douglas. Making Sense of God’s Plan for Humanity: An Easy to Understand Guide to Dispensationalism. Dispensational Publishing House. Kindle Edition.