The term "classic dispensationalists" describe the beliefs of many early dispensationalists (Darby, Scofield and Chafer, Scofield Bible). "Traditional dispensationalists" (or Revised dispensationalists) describe the beliefs of those from the 1950s through today (Ryrie, Walvoord, Revised Scofield Bible). "Progressive dispensationalists" describe the beliefs of some dispensationalists from the early 1990s (Bock, Blaising, Saucy). Ultradispensationalism originated with Bullinger in the early 1900s in England. "Hyperdispensationalism" is synonymous with "Ultradispensationalism." Many Ultras also refer to their view as "Pauline dispensationalism" or "Mid-Acts."
Classic dispensationalists held that there are 2 peoples of God - a heavenly people and an earthly people. The heavenly people consist of believers in this church age plus the OT resurrected saints. The earthly people will consist of those saved individuals (Jews and Gentiles) who remain on the earth when Jesus returns again, plus their descendants who also believe. This dual "state" continued throughout eternity. Classical dispensationalists also held to a dual hermeneutic - When the OT was interpreted literally it would reveal God's purpose for the earthly people, and when the OT was interpreted "typologically" it would reveal God's purpose for the heavenly people.
Traditional dispensationalists dropped the eternal dualism of a heavenly people/earthly people and made a distinction between Israel and the Church. Traditional dispensationalists continued emphasis on a literal interpretation of the OT, but de-emphasized or dropped the "typological" hermeneutic employed by classic disps. Traditional disps tend to interpret OT quotations in the NT to be application rather than fulfillment.
Progressive dispensationalists continue to make a distinction between Israel and the Church, but the view is a bit more nuanced. Israel continues to exist in this age of grace, and consists of believing Jews and unbelieving Jews. These believing Jews are members of Israel and are members of the Church at the same time. Believing Jews and believing Gentiles together make up the Church. All progressives see this overlap between Israel and the Church, which a number of traditional disps have acknowledged as well. Progressives also continue a literal interpretation of the OT and do not employ the "typological" hermeneutic of classic disps. Progressives also nuance the traditional disp view that OT quotations in the NT are application only. Instead, each quotation, citation, or allusion are considered on a case-by-case basis. Some are seen having an "already-but not yet" fulfillment.
Ultradispensationalists hold that not only is Israel and the Church distinct, they are also mutually exclusive. While classic, traditional and progressive dispensationalists view the church as beginning at Pentecost in Acts 2, ultradispensationalists locate the beginning of the church further on in the book of Acts. Hence the names "Mid-Acts" or "Acts 28." They divide the earlier chapters of Acts into a series of different dispensations. In general they would also emphasize a literal interpretation of the OT. Ultras have generally distanced themselves from traditional and progressive dispensationalists, and they have separate churches, pastors and seminaries.
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