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Can someone please explain to me what dispensationalism is?
Can someone please explain to me what dispensationalism is?
A good question, it is a person who
1. Employs a consistent literal hermeneutic
2. Maintains a distinction between Israel and the Church
3. Recognizes that the chief activity in which God is engaged is glorifying Himself.
If you practice these, you are a dispensationalist.
Can someone please explain to me what dispensationalism is?
Some folks consider Dispensationalism to be a stand alone ‘denomination’ ("There is no way to make a few "Dispensational denominations" . . .) while others hold the opposing notion this is only a ‘theological view’ and means of interpreting Scripture. Many Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and particularly Baptists hold some hostility to professing “Dispys,” because many of their members leave those denominations to assume positions in pews beside other professing Dispy’s in what they describe as nondenominational churches. One of the best professing Dispy’s to highlight the differences between our Mystery Body of Christ (Church #1 here) and the Prophetic Kingdom Bride is Cornelius Stam in his book entitled “Things That Differ” (link). I have handed out this book to more professing Christians around the world than all the others combined, even if Stam continued to be off on many things up to his death. Stam begins with “The Principles And Dispensations Of God” to begin chapter 1 here, if you want a bird’s eye view from one of the most famous professing Dispy’s anywhere. Wiki continues,Dispensationalism is a Christian theological view of history and Biblical interpretation that became popular during the 1800s and early 1900s and is held today by many conservative Protestants. It supplies an interpretive grid for understanding the flow of the Bible as a whole, and it is frequently contrasted with opposing views such as Covenant Theology, where the fundamental difference is the relationship between the nations of Israel and Judah on the one hand and the Christian church on the other.
This “Premillennial” interpretation of Scripture is held by most professing Dispy’s I know, but this single error in their dogma represents just one reason I cannot EVER (in a million years) be numbered among them. Their Premillennial interpretation says,Dispensationalism advocates a form of premillennialism (link) in which it sees the past, present, and future as a number of successive administrations, or "dispensations" (Eph 3:2, KJV), each of which emphasizes aspects of the covenants between God and various peoples at various times. Consequently, it places a heavy emphasis on prophecy and eschatology, the study of the "end times."
Christ proclaims very boldly that “My Kingdom is NOT of this world” or even of “this realm”! John 18:36. Paul affirms that the believers in our gospel have ‘citizenship IN HEAVEN’ (Phil 3:20) and a place in “His HEAVENLY Kingdom.” 2Tim. 4:18 (my thread = The Lord's Throne is HEAVEN). Jesus Christ says that Elijah will come first and restore all things (Matt. 17:10-11) as the “prophet” of Acts 3:19-26, but professing Dispy’s call our Lord a LIAR and misinterpret a few words (Matt 17:12-13) to eliminate Elijah from the equation entirely. Most professing Dispy’s fail to realize the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:21, Rev. 7:14-16) is still 1000 Years IN THE FUTURE (diagram = in dark blue) and that the 1000 Year Day of the Lord is only about to ‘begin’ (diagram). :0) Jesus Christ has just ‘one’ literal glorious return (Matt. 24:30-31) AND Paul teaches that ‘we’ shall be revealed WITH HIM.Premillennialism in Christian eschatology is the belief that Christ will literally reign on the earth for 1,000 years at his second coming. The doctrine is called premillennialism because it views the current age as prior to Christ’s kingdom. It is distinct from the other forms of Christian eschatology such as amillennialism or postmillennialism, which view the millennial rule as either figurative and non-temporal, or as occurring prior to the second coming. Premillennialism is largely based upon a literal interpretation of Revelation 20:1-6 in the New Testament which describes Christ’s coming to the earth and subsequent reign at the end of an apocalyptic period of tribulation. It views this future age as a time of fulfillment for the prophetic hope of God’s people as given in the Old Testament.
Professing Dispy’s think Christ is returning to ‘start’ a temporary 1000 Year earthly reign, because they fail to realize Satan is chained (Rev. 20:2) way back in Revelation 1:10 with the ‘trumpet’ sounding off behind John with ‘our’ Rapture (1Cor. 15:51-53, 1Thes. 4:16-17) AND that we rule WITH CHRIST in heaven throughout the entire 1000 Year Day of the Lord (another diagram). Why should Paul tell us to keep our eyes fixed on things above where Christ is at the right hand of God and NOT on things of this earth, IF we are to rule from mere earthly thrones for the 1000 years? :0) My point is that you will find many professing Dispy’s holding to many different interpretations, because as a sect/denomination of Christianity they are in love with ‘dividing’ things correctly and very much incorrectly (like everyone else). :0) All of that being said, again, over three decades of debating professing Christians on all these Bible Topics find the professing Dispy’s to stand head and shoulders above practically all the other denominations willing to simply toss everything into a single pot for their ‘one gospel’ and their ‘one church’ misinterpretations of God’s Living Word IMHO. That is the reason over 90 percent of my CF posts are drafted for this Dispensationalism Forum for my brothers and sisters IN Christ Jesus and the reason I sometimes find myself defending them against attacks from members of other denominations, even if we shall continue to air out our differences in these Dispensationalism Debates.“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed [Matt 24:30-31], then you also will be revealed with Him IN GLORY.” Colossians 3:1-4.
Ok, I guess I am probably a dispensationalist then. Though I admit, I am not sure what you mean by #1. Could you explain that please?
Can someone please explain to me what dispensationalism is?
, as any definition could be misconstrued that way.We know that God never changes. He is the same today as He was Yesterday, and will still be the same tomarrow.
I too would call myself a dispensationalist, but don't know what exactly others would consider that to mean so I am researching to see what is out there.
I like you analogy of the house laws. I also like that you emphasize that , as any definition could be misconstrued that way.
I have not seen that separation of different dispensational views based on Acts.
I personally would have think that the "law" or house rules changed at Pentecost (Feast of weeks in the old testament, a celebration of the giving of the law). The Pentecost in Acts is where the "law" was written on our hearts through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Where do the distinctions between recognizing baptism and/or the Lords supper come from in relation to dispsentations? I personally think both are good things to do but not a requirement for salvation or even spiritual growth.
Where does that put me in the three major groups?
A good question, it is a person who
1. Employs a consistent literal hermeneutic
2. Maintains a distinction between Israel and the Church
3. Recognizes that the chief activity in which God is engaged is glorifying Himself.
If you practice these, you are a dispensationalist.
Christ proclaims very boldly that My Kingdom is NOT of this world or even of this realm! John 18:36.
Paul affirms that the believers in our gospel have citizenship IN HEAVEN (Phil 3:20) and a place in His HEAVENLY Kingdom. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Tim 4:18;&version=49;
2Tim. 4:18
Jesus Christ says that Elijah will come first and restore all things (Matt. 17:10-11) as the prophet of Acts 3:19-26, but professing Dispys call our Lord a LIAR and misinterpret a few words (Matt 17:12-13) to eliminate Elijah from the equation entirely.
Most professing Dispys fail to realize the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:21, Rev. 7:14-16) is still 1000 Years IN THE FUTURE (diagram = in dark blue) and that the 1000 Year Day of the Lord is only about to begin (diagram). :0) Jesus Christ has just one literal glorious return (Matt. 24:30-31) AND Paul teaches that we shall be revealed WITH HIM.
Professing Dispys think Christ is returning to start a temporary 1000 Year earthly reign, because they fail to realize Satan is chained (Rev. 20:2) way back in Revelation 1:10 with the trumpet sounding off behind John with our Rapture (1Cor. 15:51-53, 1Thes. 4:16-17) AND that we rule WITH CHRIST in heaven throughout the entire 1000 Year Day of the Lord (another diagram).
Why should Paul tell us to keep our eyes fixed on things above where Christ is at the right hand of God and NOT on things of this earth, IF we are to rule from mere earthly thrones for the 1000 years?
I'm pretty much in agreement with what Jerrysch posted.
The word "dispensation" comes from the Greek word "oikonomia" -oy-kon-om-ee'-ah. From G3623; administration (of a household or estate); specifically a (religious) “economy”: - dispensation, stewardship.
Not being a Greek scholar, I've been told that our english word "dispensary" is also derived from this word.
In Biblical time a rich land holder would have one overseer to see that his command were adhered to. He would be the enforcer of the "house laws." Those house laws could change from time to time. Therefore, we can derive that there can be changes in the house laws (dispensation) from time to time.
We know that God never changes. He is the same today as He was Yesterday, and will still be the same tomarrow. However, the way that God has dealt with man has changed over time. God dealt differently with Adam and Eve before the fall then after the fall. Nowhere do we find that God required Adam and Eve to offer sacrifices as He did with Cain and Able. Noah was required to preach and build an Ark. Abram was told to look in the heavens and count the stary. Abraham was required to offer his son Isaac. Moses was given the Law for instructions in righteousness for the children of Israel. So just from what I just wrote, one should be able to see that the "house laws" (dispensations) have changed, but the atributes of God never changed.
Many say that dispensationalism began in the 1800's. However, I find that Paul speaks of 3 dispensations in Ephesians 2. He speaks of TIMES PAST in vss. 11, 12. BUT NOW in vs. 13, and AGES TO COME in vs. 7.
There are three major groups of dispensationialists - Acts 2, Acts9/mid-Acts, and Acts 28:28.
The main points of Act 2 dispies are, but not exclusive, that the Church, the Body of Christ, began at Pentecost, and and water baptism is still a requirement. However, they cannot all agree on as to WHEN, WHY, or HOW it is to be administered. Also they partake of the Lord's Supper.
The Acts 9/mid-Acts dispies (which I profess to be) believe that the Church, the Body of Christ, began after the conversion of Saul/Paul with the ushering in this present dispensation of Grace, and the formation of "the one new man" (a new creation), now known as "the Body of Christ," Jew and Gentile on equal footing, without distinction, and not under the Law. That this dispensation is a "(parenthetical)" period within the dispensation of the Law. Also this group does partake of the Lord's Supper, but not as an ordinance, and do not believe that water baptism is for this dispensation. Also, they believe that the Tribulation began in Acts 2:16-20, as opposed to the Church, the Body of Christ, beginning there.
The Acts 28:28 dispies believe the Church, the Body of Christ, began after Paul was given the full knowledge of the mystery while in prison in Rome. Therefore they believe only Paul's prision Epistles are for the Church, the Body of Christ. They do not partake of the Lords Supper, or believe that water baptism is for this present dispensation of Grace.
Hope this is helpful.
Further, dispensationalism is the only system of theology which incorporated eschatology into itself at its developing stages, not as an afterthought like covenant theology. Proof of this is the in-depth analysis of eschatology given by dispensationalists (ex. John Walvoord, Charles Ryrie, J. Dwight Pentecost, etc.). Point-by-point analysis of eschatology is offered by most of the major proponents of dispensationalism, while other views seem to be lacking in sufficient evidence, including irreconcilable contradictions that have yet to be answered. This is done by interpretting prophecy with the same, consistent literal hermeneutic unless the context warrants otherwise.
Um... I've never heard it put quite that way.
You imply that dispensationalism doesn't believe the differences between covenants were intentional, but accidental. That's not really an accurate assessment.