Dispensationalism

[sola fide]

I was curious and just wanted to take a quick poll- Do you adhere to dispensational ("Scofield") theology?

1. Yes, I'm a dispensationalist

2. No, I adhere to covenant theology

3. Neither, that I know of

4. I have no idea what you're talking about

 

[Reformationist]

Originally posted by sola fide
I was curious and just wanted to take a quick poll- Do you adhere to dispensational ("Scofield") theology?

1. Yes, I'm a dispensationalist

2. No, I adhere to covenant theology

3. Neither, that I know of

4. I have no idea what you're talking about

I believe the Bible speaks volumes about God's ability to keep His covenants with man and man's proclivity to break covenants.  We have been under the dispensation of Grace since the third chapter of Genesis when God made provision for fallen man.  Actually, if you think about it, since the second chapter.  It is only by God's grace that we even exist.

By the way, I'm a covenantalist Christian.

Great idea for a poll sola!

God bless

 

[paulewog]

/me requests someone to quickly give him a review of what dispensationalism is, he forgotted. He doesn't want to vote the ignorant choice, either

 

[Reformationist]

Originally posted by paulewog
paulewog requests someone to quickly give him a review of what dispensationalism is, he forgotted. He doesn't want to vote the ignorant choice, either

From here:

"In its doctrine of the Church, Dispensationalism holds that the Jewish rejection of the kingdom caused Jesus to postpone the kingdom until the Second Advent, and to establish the church as an interlude between the two advents. They hold that the church is in no sense a fulfillment of the Old Testament but something entirely new and revealed for the first time to the Apostle Paul and that the Church Age will come to an end in the Rapture which it is alleged, is the first stage of the Second Advent. Following the Rapture, Christ and His people are to be in the air for a period of seven years (the seventieth week, according to Dispensationalism, of Daniel’s prophecy). At the end of the seven years there occurs the Revelation, which is the public visible return of Christ and His people to the earth."

and...the seven dispensations:



<P align=justify>"Dr. Scofield defines a dispensation as a period of time during which man is tested in respect of obedience to some <I>specific </I>revelation of the will of God. He teaches in the Scofield Bible that there are Seven Dispensations: (1) The Dispensation of Innocency: before the Fall; (2) The Dispensation of Conscience: before the Flood; (3) The Dispensation of Human Government; (4) The Dispensation of Promise: from the calling of Abraham until Mt. Sinai; (5) The Dispensation of the Law: from Mt. Sinai to the cross of Christ; (6) The Dispensation of Grace: from the cross of Christ to the Second Advent; (7) The Dispensation of the Kingdom: the Millennium.




<P align=justify>I edited the post because the following comments are the opinion of the author of the above website, not Dr. Scofield.&nbsp; I just happen to agree with his comments.


<P align=justify>"These dispensations are regarded not as stages in one single organic development, but as distinct and mutually exclusive, or even as opposed to each other. This practice of dividing the Bible into parts, and setting one part against the others, means for instance, that in the Dispensation of the Law there was no grace, and during the Dispensation of Grace there is no law. The plan of salvation as set forth in the Bible is one organic whole, revealing a marvellous and profound unity. It cannot be split up into contradictory parts, much less into seven mutually exclusive dispensations."

Hope that helps.

God bless

 

[paulewog]

/me doesn't know about the seven dispensations or whatever, but as to the church NOT being Israel, very much so, the church ain't Israel....

 

[I can eat 50 eggs]

interesting stuff I found once, not what I believe necessarily




A Growing Error and Danger to the Faith
Dispensationalism is an error that has been widely spread through the modern so-called "Christian" denominations. The dangerous nature of this error and the wide acceptance of dispensationalism calls for the true Christian to inform himself of this error and guard against it.

While they may not recognize their beliefs as rooted in dispensationalism, many modern sects and religious organizations are promoting this teaching. It is characterized by:

A denial of the necessity of good works.
An anarchistic rejection of organized religion and a defined rule of life.
The belief that Israel and the Church are two different entities.
A belief in an endtime event, where the "true Christians" will disappear known as "the rapture."
I address "the rapture" belief and its error in more detail on my End Times Page
Dispensationalism is very popular among the radio and televangelists, such as:

David Breese
Jerry Fallwell
Pat Robertson
Jack Van Impe
Hal Lindsey
What is Dispensationalism?
While there are many different versions of Dispensationalism, it generally proposes the work of God is divided into "dispensations" with respect to time. To quote the New Scofield Reference Bible, a Bible version whose erroneous translation promotes dispensationalism:

The purpose of each dispensation, then, is to place man under a specific rule of conduct, but such stewardship is not a condition of salvation. In every past dispensation unregenerate man has failed, and he has failed in this present dispensation and will in the future. But salvation has been and will continue to be available to him by God's grace through faith.
The dispensations that supposedly apply to our time are:

The Kingdom. This dispensation begins with Christ's public ministry and ends with either His Resurrection or Pentcost. The rule of conduct in the kingdom dispensation is defined as the "Gospel of the Kingdom."
The Church. This dispensation begins with Pentecost and ends with an event that the dispensationalists refer to as "the rapture" The rule of conduct for the church dispensation is defined as another gospel - "the gospel of grace."
The Kingdom Restored. This dispensation is a continuation of the kingdom dispensation. It begins with "the rapture" and after the second coming of Jesus Christ, he will establish an earthly kingdom, which will be eternal. Apparently, this return of the kingdom dispensation is necessary to keep the dispensationalism teachings even remotely consistent with the Sacred Scriptures.
Dispensationalism permits its adherents to interpret the writings of Paul in opposition to the commandments of Jesus Christ in the Gospels, for the Gospels only apply to the Kingdom, and the writings of Paul "the Gospel of Grace" apply to the Church. This is why when you try to discuss the Scriptures with those in the modern sects, they are either bewildered by the commandments of Jesus Christ in the Gospels or they simply dismiss them as irrelevant.

This rejection of the commandments of Jesus Christ in the Gospels as irrelevant to the church permits the dispensationalist to commit all sorts of heinous sins, yet still consider themsels good Christians, for works are not necessary to salvation. This is why Jim and Tammy Faye Baker could dupe millions of dollars out of poor victims and still be good Christians. Or Jimmy Swaggart could drive drunk down the wrong side of the street in Miami with a harlot in the car and still consider himself a good Christian. To the dispensationalist works do not save.

The Origin of Dispensationalism
John Nelson Darby, educated as a lawyer and ordained Anglican priest, developed the basics of this error in the early 1830's. Dispensationalism was developed and modified throughout the 1800's several other Protestant "theologians," to include C.I. Scofield of Schofield Bible fame.

The basis for the claim of dispensationalism seems to center around a verse - II Timothy 2:15, which in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads:

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
A literal translation of this verse apparently permits the dispensationalist to divide the Scriptural teachings into three dispensations:

The Old Testament - For the followers of the Old Mosaic Covenant
The Gospels - For the followers of Jesus Christ in the "kingdom dispensation."
The writings of Paul (and purportedly the other Apostles) - For the church
However, this wording seems to be found only in the King James Bible. In the Douay-Rheims (Catholic-English) version, it reads:

Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Other Protestant versions seem to agree (at least in this verse) with the Douay-Rheims translation. The New American Standard reads:

Be diligent to present yourself approved of God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.
In the Latin, the word used is tractantem, which means "handling." In the Greek the word is orthomounta. Rather than meaning "rightly dividing," it means "properly use as one thing."

The Scriptural Case against Dispensationalism
Paul and the other Apostles preached the Gospel of the Kingdom
After Pentecost, the Apostles went forth to preach, and they preached the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Philip preached the gospel of the Kingdom (and baptized).

But when they had believed Philip preaching of the kingdom of God, in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)
And also Paul and Barnabas:

[Paul and Barnabas] Confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith: and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:21)
Paul preaches the kingdom of God.

And entering into the synagogue, he [Paul] spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and exhorting concerning the kingdom of God.
And now behold, I [Paul] know that all you, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. (Acts 20:25)

The Church Existed before the Resurrection
The Church was established as a regulating and teaching body in the Gospels before the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The church was established with Peter as its head and teacher in matters of faith.

And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. (Matthew 16:18-19)
The Church had the authority to try disciples in matters of faith and morals.

But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother. And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand. And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican. (Matthew 18:15-17)

 

[eldermike]

I do not beleive there is much conflict between covenants and dispensations, if one carefully considers it. I am a covenant dispensationalist.