What Is It: Dispensationalism
In this What Is It series, we are exploring dozens of different topics within the Christian faith that are common, and commonly misunderstood. This series post objectively overviews the doctrine of Dispensationalism.
As with every series post, we ask you, the community to play an active role in commenting and providing your understanding.
What Is Dispensationalism?
Dispensationalism is a theological framework for interpreting the Bible developed in the 19th century and popularized by John Nelson Darby and the Plymouth Brethren. This framework teaches that Biblical history can be divided into seven distinct periods or dispensations.
In each period, God deals differently with humanity, and humanity responds differently, to God. In some ways, dispensationalism teaches that God’s requirements for man and salvation have changed in each period.
Additionally, dispensationalism is not the term used by John Nelson Darby for his teachings. Rather, it became a derogatory term used by its opposition. Phillip Mauro criticized this teaching in his book, The Gospel of the Kingdom, published in 1928, naming it ‘dispensationalism’.
The fact is that dispensationalism is modernism. It is modernism, moreover, of a very pernicious sort, such that it must have a “Bible” of its own for the propagation of its peculiar doctrines, since they are not in the Word of God.
Phillip Mauro, The Gospel of the Kingdom, Foreward
Furthermore, this framework has had far-reaching impacts, primarily within Western Evangelical denominations. You’ll likely recognize these distinct teachings as we explain the key points and periods of dispensationalism.
Moreover, a very interesting note is that this teaching was not solidified until the Scofield Reference Study Bible codified the teachings in America. You will find this teaching primarily among Baptist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, and non-denominational Christian groups.
Primary Arguments
Dispensationalism argues that there are seven distinctive periods within Biblical history.
- Innocence – The age of innocence began with the creation of man, and ended with the fall of man.
- Conscience – The age of conscience began after the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden and ended with the Flood.
- Government – The age of government began after the flood, with Noah forming civil law, and ended with the great dispersion of peoples at the tower of Babel.
- Promise – The age of promise began with Abraham and ended at the culmination of 40 years in the wilderness and the giving of the Commandments to Moses.
- Law – The age of law began with Moses and ended at the crucifixion of Christ. Darby stated that this period ended after the Israeli dispersion of 70 AD.
- Grace – The age of Grace began with the crucifixion of Christ, allegedly freeing us from the Law, and will end with the rapture of the church.
- Millennial Kingdom – The age of the Millennial Kingdom begins after the rapture and will end with the battle of Armageddon and the closing of time.
Equally important, it teaches a very literal method of interpreting the Bible and Prophecy. This allows little room for allegorical or analogous meanings. This teaching is the bedrock of Biblical Literalism.
Additionally, dispensationalism distinguishes between the Old Testament Israelite and the New Testament Church. Darby taught that God has separate plans for the nation of Israel and for the Gentile Bride.
Furthermore, dispensationalism teaches Premillennialism and a premillennial rapture of the church. The premillennial rapture is a commonly held belief among evangelical Christians. In these ways, much of post-modern Christianity is dispensational.
Is It Biblical
As with all teachings, there is always an element of truth behind it. For instance, there is little reason to question the concept of literal interpretation of most of Scripture. Without that framework, each passage would be open to private interpretation.
Also, there seems little wrong with the names given to the distinctive periods of time in Biblical history. Where error can and does come in is believing that God’s requirements for salvation have changed uniquely, six times.
This chart from the Scofield Reference Study Bible shows how different the requirements for redemption were described from a dispensational point of view during each dispensation.
Furthermore, this doctrine teaches that there is more than one Church or one Body. While Biblical history is certainly progressive in narrative, there is only one promise, and only one covenant. Paul made this abundantly clear in Galatians 3:15-22.
Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward (after Abraham), does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ga 3:16-17.
Likewise, 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 tells us that while there are many members to the body, we are all baptized, Jews and Gentiles, into a single body. One church. One ekklēsia.
Also, dispensationalism gave rise to the idea that the Mosaic Law is split into three distinct categories. Moral Law, Judicial/Civil Law, and Ceremonial/Dietary Law. Additionally, many Protestant denominations that are influenced by dispensationalism conclude that the Moral Law is still required by all believers. Meanwhile, the Judicial and Ceremonial laws are not.
Scripture itself does not make these distinctions, either in the Old or New Testaments. And, while these labels are sufficient to categorize particular Old Testament commandments for study, they should not be used to segregate salvific requirements.
Conclusion
While this article is not to say everything about the theological framework known as dispensationalism is incorrect, it is important to state where it does not agree with Scripture. Another point worth thinking about is that these positions were not held by the historic Church and are not found within early church writings.
Furthermore, even if the seven administrative periods fit the Biblical narrative categorically, the promise and requirements of each have remained the same. Dispensationalism teaches that in each dispensation, God’s requirements change but Scripture does not. And, dispensationalism teaches that the Israelite/Hebrew body is not the same as the Gentile body.
Yet, all throughout the Biblical narrative, justification for all was accomplished through faith, as evidenced by obedience. Abraham was justified by faith, which led to obedience. Isaac was justified through faith. This has remained true from Genesis to Revelation.
I want to end with Romans 10:4-13 which succinctly defends there there is no distinction between a gentile bride and a Hebrew nation. And, that the righteous demands of God are the same for all. If these are true, dispensationalism cannot align with Scripture.
For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:4-13, ESV
