Dispensationalism

Dispensationalism is the organization of God’s unfolding plan in the Bible from creation to the eternal state into distinct periods of times (called dispensations).

Covenant Theology is the organization of God’s unfolding plan in the Bible from creation to the eternal state into 2 or 3 primary covenants.

Why Is this Important?

To help us understand the rise of antisemitism on the “Christian” political right.

To help us understand the basis for Christian Nationalism in the USA.

To help us understand why we interpret the Bible the way that we do as Brethren.

Charles Ryrie identified 3 essentials of dispensationalism. They are:

(1) The recognition of a consistent distinction between Israel and the church,

(2) A consistent and regular use of a literal principle of interpretation

What did the people who received the revelation from God understand that revelation to mean?

Does the NT change the interpretation of the OT?

(3) A basic and primary conception of the purpose of God as His own glory rather than the salvation of mankind.

Periods of time are divided by the different ways God chooses to receive glory rather than dif

What is a Dispensation?

Scofield Reference Bible: “A dispensation is a period of time during which man is tested in respect of obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God. Seven such dispensations are distinguished in Scripture.” Each dispensation has: (1) a deposit of divine revelation, (2) man’s stewardship responsibility to that revelation, and (3) the time period during which a dispensation operates.

Is the word dispensation in the Bible?

The various forms of the word dispensation appear in the New Testament twenty times. The verb oikonomeo is used once in Luke 16:2, where it is translated “to be a steward.” The noun oikonomos appears ten times (Luke 12:42; 16:1, 3, 8; Rom. 16:23; 1 Cor. 4:1, 2; Gal. 4:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 4:10) and is usually translated “steward” or “manager” (but “treasurer” in Rom. 16:23). The noun oikonomia is used nine times (Luke 16:2, 3, 4; 1 Cor. 9:17; Eph. 1:10; 3:2, 9; Col. 1:25; 1 Tim. 1:4). In these instances it is translated variously (“stewardship,” “dispensation,” “administration,” “job,” “commission”).

from Dispensationalism by Charles Ryrie

What are the different Dispensations?