What Is Dispensationalism?
Pastor Dave
What is Dispensationalism?
By Michael J. Vlach, Ph.D.
Introduction
Since the mid-1800s, the system of theology known
as Dispensationalism has exerted great influence on
how many Christians view the doctrines of ecclesiology
and eschatology. In this article, we will survey the
history of Dispensationalism and look at the key beliefs
associated with the system.
History of Dispensationalism
Theologians continue to argue over the origin of
Dispensationalism. Those who are dispensationalists argue
that the basic beliefs of Dispensationalism were held by the
apostles and the first generation church. Those who are not
Dispensationalists often argue that dispensationalism is a
new theology that began in the 19th century. What is clear,
though, is that Dispensationalism, as a system, began to
take shape in the mid-1800s.
1. John Nelson Darby - The beginning of systematized
Dispensationalism is usually linked with John Nelson Darby
(1800-1882), a Plymouth Brethren minister. While at
Trinity College in Dublin (1819), Darby came to believe
in a future salvation and restoration of national Israel.
Based on his study of Isaiah 32, Darby concluded that
Israel, in a future dispensation, would enjoy Earthly
blessings that were different from the Heavenly blessings
experienced by the church. He thus saw a clear distinction
between Israel and the church. Darby also came to believe
in an �any moment� rapture of the church that was followed
by Daniel�s Seventieth Week in which Israel would once
again take center stage in God�s plan. After this period,
Darby believed there would be a millennial kingdom in
which God would fulfill His unconditional promises with
Israel [1]. According to Paul Enns, �Darby advanced
the scheme of Dispensationalism by noting that each
dispensation places man under some condition; man has
some responsibility before God. Darby also noted that
each dispensation culminates in failure.� [2]. Darby saw
seven dispensations: (1) Paradisaical state to the Flood;
(2) Noah; (3) Abraham; (4) Israel; (5) Gentiles;
(6) The Spirit; and (7) The Millennium. By his own
testimony, Darby says his Dispensational theology
was fully formed by 1833.
2. The Brethren Movement Dispensationalism first took
shape in the Brethren Movement in early nineteenth century
Britain. Those within the Brethren Movement rejected a
special role for ordained clergy and stressed the spiritual
giftedness of ordinary believers and their freedom, under
the Spirit�s guidance, to teach and admonish each other
from Scripture. The writings of the Brethren had a broad
impact on evangelical Protestantism and influenced ministers
in the United States such as D. L. Moody, James Brookes,
J. R. Graves, A. J. Gordon, and C. I. Scofield [3].
3. The Bible Conference Movement Beginning in the 1870s,
various Bible conferences began to spring up in various
parts of the United States. These conferences helped spread
Dispensationalism. The Niagara conferences (1870� early
1900s) were not started to promote Dispensationalism but
Dispensational ideas were often promoted at these
conferences. The American Bible and Prophetic Conferences
from 1878�1914 promoted a dispensational theology.
4. The Bible Institute Movement In the late 1800s, several
Bible institutes were founded that taught Dispensational
theology including The Nyack Bible Institute (1882),
The Boston Missionary Training School (1889), and
The Moody Bible Institute (1889).
5. The Scofield Reference Bible C. I. Scofield, a
participant in the Niagara conferences, formed a board of
Bible conference teachers in 1909 and produced what came
to be known as, the Scofield Reference Bible. This work
became famous in the United States with its theological
annotations right next to the Scripture. This reference
Bible became the greatest influence in the spread of
Dispensationalism.
6. Dallas Theological Seminary After World War I, many
Dispensational Bible schools were formed. Led by Dallas
Theological Seminary (1924), Dispensationalism began to
be promoted in formal, academic settings. Under Scofield,
Dispensationalism entered a scholastic period that was later
carried on by his successor, Lewis Sperry Chafer. Further
promotion of Dispensationalism took place with the writing
of Chafer�s eight-volume Systematic Theology.
Foundational Features of Dispensationalism [4]
1. Hermeneutical approach that stresses a literal
fulfillment of Old Testament promises to Israel though
the issue of �literal interpretation� is heavily debated
today, many Dispensationalists claim that consistent
literal interpretation applied to all areas of the Bible,
including Old Testament promises to Israel,
is a distinguishing mark of Dispensationalism.
Dispensationalists usually argue that the progress of
revelation, including New Testament revelation, does not
cancel Old Testament promises made with national Israel.
Although there is internal debate concerning how much
the church is related to the Old Testament covenants
and promises, Dispensationalists believe national Israel
will see the literal fulfillment of the promises made with
her in the Old Testament.
2. Belief that the unconditional, eternal covenants made
with national Israel (Abrahamic, Davidic, and New) must
be fulfilled literally with national Israel although the
church may participate in or partially fulfill the Biblical
covenants, they do not take over the covenants to the
exclusion of national Israel. Physical and spiritual
promises to Israel must be fulfilled with Israel.
3. Distinct future for national Israel �Only
Dispensationalism clearly sees a distinctive future for
ethnic Israel as a nation.� [5]. This future includes
a restoration of the nation with a distinct identity
and function.
4. The church is distinct from Israel. The church does
not replace or continue Israel, and is never referred to
as Israel. According to Dispensationalists, the church
did not exist in the Old Testament and did not begin
until the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Old Testament
promises to Israel, then, cannot be entirely fulfilled with
the church. Evidences often used by Dispensationalists
to show that the church is distinct from Israel include:
(a) Jesus viewed the church as future in Matthew 16:18;
(b) an essential element of the church�Spirit baptism�
did not begin until the Day of Pentecost (compare 1 Cor
12:13 with Acts 2); (c) Christ became Head of the church
as a result of His resurrection (compare Eph. 4:15; Col.
1:18 with Eph. 1:19-23); (d) the spiritual gifts associated
with the church (cf. Eph. 4:7-12; 1 Cor. 12:11-13) were
not given until the ascension of Christ; (e) the �new man�
nature of the church (cf. Eph. 2:15) shows that the church
is a NT organism and not something incorporated into Israel;
(f) the foundation of the church is Jesus Christ and the
New Testament apostles and prophets (cf. Eph. 2:20);
(g) the author, Luke, keeps Israel and the church distinct.
On this last point, Fruchtenbaum states, �In the book of
Acts, both Israel and the church exist simultaneously.
The term Israel is used twenty times and ekklesia (church)
nineteen times, yet the two groups are always kept
distinct.� [6].
5. Multiple senses of �seed of Abraham�. According to
Feinberg, the designation �seed of Abraham� is used in
different ways in Scripture. First it is used in reference
to ethnic, biological Jews (cf. Romans 9�11). Second,
it is used in a political sense. Third, it is used in a
spiritual sense to refer to people, whether Jew or Gentile,
who are spiritually related to God by faith (cf. Romans
4:11-12; Galatians 3:7). Feinberg argues that the spiritual
sense of the title does not take over the physical sense to
such an extent that the physical seed of Abraham is no
longer related to the biblical covenants.
6. Philosophy of history that emphasizes both the spiritual
and physical aspects of God�s covenants According to John
Feinberg, �nondispensational treatments of the nature of
the covenants and of Israel�s future invariably emphasize
soteriological and spiritual issues, whereas dispensational
treatments emphasize both the spiritual/soteriological and
the social, economic, and political aspects of things.� [7].
Other significant, although not necessarily exclusive
features of Dispensationalism, include: (1) the authority
of Scripture; (2) belief in dispensations; (3) emphasis
on Bible prophecy; (4) futuristic premillennialism;
(5) pretribulationism; and (6) a view of imminency
that sees Christ�s return as an �any-moment� possibility.
Variations Within Dispensationalism
The above features characterize the beliefs of those within the
Dispensational tradition. However, as Blaising writes,
�Dispensationalism has not been a static tradition.� [8].
There is no standard creed that freezes its theological
development at any given point in history. Blaising
offers three forms of dispensational thought:
1. Classical Dispensationalism (ca. 1850�1940s)
Classical Dispensationalism refers to the views of British
and American Dispensationalists between the writings
of Darby and Chafer�s eight-volume Systematic Theology.
The interpretive notes of the Scofield Reference Bible
are often seen as the key representation of the classical
dispensational tradition [9].
One important feature of classical dispensationalism was
its dualistic idea of redemption. In this tradition, God is
seen as pursuing two different purposes. One is related
to Heaven and the other to the Earth. The �Heavenly
humanity was to be made up of all the redeemed from
all dispensations who would be resurrected from the dead.
Whereas the earthly humanity concerned people who had
not died but who were preserved by God from death, the
heavenly humanity was made up of all the saved who had
died, whom God would resurrect from the dead.� [10].
Blaising notes that the heavenly, spiritual, and
individualistic nature of the church in classical
Dispensationalism underscored the well-known view that
the church is a parenthesis in the history of redemption
[11]. In this tradition, there was little emphasis on
social or political activity for the church.
Key theologians : John Nelson Darby, C. I. Scofield,
Lewis Sperry Chafer
2. Revised or Modified Dispensationalism (ca.1950�1985)
Revised Dispensationalists abandoned the eternal dualism
of Heavenly and Earthly peoples. The emphasis in this
strand of the Dispensational tradition was on two peoples
of God�Israel and the church. These two groups are
structured differently with different dispensational roles
and responsibilities, but the salvation they each receive is
the same. The distinction between Israel and the church,
as different anthropological groups, will continue
throughout eternity.
Revised Dispensationalists usually reject the idea that
there are two new covenants�one for Israel and one for
the church. They also see the church and Israel as existing
together during the millennium and eternal state.
Key theologians : John Walvoord, Dwight Pentecost,
Charles Ryrie, Charles Feinberg, Alva J. McClain.
3. Progressive Dispensationalism (1986�present) What
does �progressive� mean? The title �progressive
Dispensationalism� refers to the �progressive� relationship
of the successive dispensations to one another [12].
Charles Ryrie notes that, �The adjective �progressive�
refers to a central tenet that the Abrahamic, Davidic,
and new covenants are being progressively fulfilled today
(as well as having fulfillments in the millennial kingdom).�
[13].
�One of the striking differences between progressive and
earlier Dispensationalists, is that progressives do not view
the church as an anthropological category in the same class
as terms like Israel, Gentile Nations, Jews, and Gentile
people. The church is neither a separate race of humanity
(in contrast to Jews and Gentiles) nor a competing nation
alongside Israel and Gentile nations. . . . The church is
precisely redeemed humanity itself (both Jews and Gentiles)
as it exists in this dispensation prior to the coming of
Christ.� [14].
Progressive Dispensationalists see more continuity between
Israel and the church than the other two variations within
Dispensationalism. They stress that both Israel and the
church compose the �people of God� and both are related
to the blessings of the New Covenant. This spiritual
equality, however, does not mean that there are not
functional distinctions between the groups. Progressive
Dispensationalists do not equate the church as Israel in
this age and they still see a future distinct identity and
function for ethnic Israel in the coming millennial kingdom.
Progressive Dispensationalists like Blaising and Bock see
an already/not yet aspect to the Davidic reign of Christ,
seeing the Davidic reign as being inaugurated during
the present church age. The full fulfillment of this reign
awaits Israel in the millennium.
Key theologians : Craig A. Blaising, Darrell L. Bock,
and Robert L. Saucy
[1] See Floyd Elmore, "Darby, John Nelson," Dictionary
of Premillennial Theology, Mal Couch, ed., (Grand Rapids:
Kregel, 1996) 83-84.
[2] Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology
(Chicago: Moody, 1989) 516.
[3] See Craig A. Blaising and Darrell L. Bock, Progressive
Dispensationalism (Wheaton: Victor, 1993) 10.
[4] These essentials of Dispensationalism are taken from
John S. Feinberg's, "Systems of Discontinuity," Continuity
and Discontinuity: Perspectives on the Relationship Between
the Old and New Testaments, ed. John S. Feinberg (Wheaton:
Crossway, 1988) 67-85. At this point we acknowledge the
well-known sine qua non of Dispensationalism as put forth
by Charles C. Ryrie. According to Ryrie, Dispensationalism
is based on the three following characteristics:
(1) a distinction between Israel and the church;
(2) literal hermeneutics; and (3) A view which sees the
glory of God as the underlying purpose of God in the world.
See Charles C. Ryrie, Dispensationalism (Chicago: Moody
Press, 1995) 38-40.
[5] Feinberg, 83.
[6] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Israelology: The Missing Link
in Systematic Theology. Tustin: Ariel, 1994) 118.
[7] Feinberg, 85.
[8] Blaising and Bock, 21.
[9] Blaising and Bock, 22.
[10] Blaising and Bock, 24.
[11] Blaising and Bock, 27.
[12] Blaising and Bock, 49.
[13] Charles C. Ryrie, "Update on Dispensationalism",
Issues in Dispensationalism, John R. Master and Wesley
R. Willis, eds. (Chicago: Moody, 1994) 20.
[14] Blaising and Bock, 49.
--
Pastor Dave
The following is part of my auto-rotating
sig file and not part of the message body.
"It is impossible to rightly govern without God and the Bible."
- George Washington
randy
"Pastor Dave"
> By Michael J. Vlach, Ph.D.
> Dispensationalism clearly sees a distinctive future for
> ethnic Israel as a nation." [5]. This future includes
> a restoration of the nation with a distinct identity
> and function.
Now this surprises me. The guy has a PhD and makes this absurd claim that
*only* Dispensationalism "clearly sees a distinctive future for ethnic
Israel as a nation?" That would be true only if you wished to include most
futurists in with Dispensationalism, which clearly is *not* the case. Many,
many futurists believe in a distinct future for national Israel, just as
there is a future for most nations, without listing themselves as members of
Dispensationalism in the least. You really have to broaden your definition
of Dispensationalist if you're to include someone like me, who is a
futurist, believes in a future for national Israel, and yet rejects
pretribulationism and the cessation of the spiritual gifts.
> 4. The church is distinct from Israel. The church does
> not replace or continue Israel, and is never referred to
> as Israel. According to Dispensationalists, the church
> did not exist in the Old Testament and did not begin
> until the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Old Testament
> promises to Israel, then, cannot be entirely fulfilled with
> the church.....
I don't consider myself a Dispensationalist, and I reject this premise as
well. The Church consists of remnants of all nations, including Israel. So
Israel can be distinguished from the church, but Israel cannot be excluded
from the church. Since Israel is indeed to be distinguished from a church
that consists of all--not just one--nation, it is true that promises given
only to the nation Israel must be fulfilled only by Israel. But this is a
promise fulfilled to the church as well, since the church is given promises
that guarantee a measure of life and prosperity for all nations.
randy
@tampabay.rr.com Pastor Dave
<rkl...@wavecable.com> spake thusly:
> "Pastor Dave"
>
>> By Michael J. Vlach, Ph.D.
>> Foundational Features of Dispensationalism [4]
>> ....3. Distinct future for national Israel "Only
>> Dispensationalism clearly sees a distinctive future for
>> ethnic Israel as a nation." [5]. This future includes
>> a restoration of the nation with a distinct identity
>> and function.
>
> Now this surprises me. The guy has a PhD and makes
> this absurd claim that *only* Dispensationalism "clearly
> sees a distinctive future for ethnic Israel as a nation?"
You know exactly which context he said that in,
but you thought that you would snip all of the
context and pretend that it was just a general
and a political statement.
>> 4. The church is distinct from Israel. The church does
>> not replace or continue Israel, and is never referred to
>> as Israel. According to Dispensationalists, the church
>> did not exist in the Old Testament and did not begin
>> until the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Old Testament
>> promises to Israel, then, cannot be entirely fulfilled with
>> the church.....
>
> I don't consider myself a Dispensationalist
And yet, you are one.
> and I reject this premise as well.
Like I care? You still believe the garbage that they do,
which makes you a Dispensationalist.
--
Pastor Dave
The following is part of my auto-rotating
sig file and not part of the message body.
�What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do
for others and the world, remains and is immortal.�
- Albert Pines
::: Jesus is LORD :::
"Pastor" Dave newsgroup-mail @ tampabay.rr.com wrote in
bbmqj59dqrmig0tdm...@4ax.com
I would like to warn the readers of this false "Pastor" Dave.
This "Pastor" has to ignore whole passages from the Bible to keep his
anti-Semitism and false doctrine abotu Jesus' Second Coming. He pretends
to know better than the Apostle Paul who says that ALL ISRAEL WILL BE
SAVED!
For I don't desire, brothers, to have you ignorant of this mystery, so
that you won't be wise in your own conceits, that a partial hardening
has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,
and so all Israel will be saved. Even as it is written, "There will come
out of Zion the Deliverer, And he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
This is my covenant to them, When I will take away their sins."
Concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But concerning
the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sake. For the gifts and
the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:25-29 WEB)
*+*^+*^*+*^*+*^*+*^*+*^*+*^*+*^*+*^*+*^*+*^*+*
SOME BIBLE FACTS ABOUT FALSE TEACHERS:
1. Jesus warned about false teachers (Matthew 7:15-17).
2. Paul warned about false teachers (Acts 20:29-30; 2 Timothy 3:13; 2
Timothy 4:3-4).
3. Peter warned about false teachers and said that many will follow
them (2 Peter 2:1-2).
4. John warned about false teachers (1 John 2:18-20).
5. Jude warned about false teachers (Jude 3-4).
Source: Bro. Ted's List after Church False Doctrines By Bro. David Cloud
http://www.greatpreachers.org/false_doctrines.html
Dave James
I just read your article on dispensationalism and thought that it was
accurate and well-written. Thank you for this.
With your permission I would like to consider reproducing it as a
guest blog on The Alliance for Biblical Integrity.
Would you be willing to do this?
Do you have any website or someplace where I could find some bio /
ministry information about you personally to put with that.
Thanks for considering it.
Dave James
The Alliance for Biblical Integrity
www.biblicalintegrity.org
bear
Hello Dave,
If the "pastor" has written an accurate article on dispensationalism,
I would be very interested in reading it, would you mind sharing the
article you are referring to? Perhaps you could provide a link.
Thanks
Bear
Ike E 1/2/2010
"bear" <tevan...@charter.net> wrote in message
news:usv4k55cgd1169mlr...@4ax.com...
Yeah, because there is about as much chance of that happening as a
Dispensationalist writing an accurate one, too.
Ike
bear
But, a much higher chance than Ike writting anything accurately, as
proven by his quotes below.
Ike thinks he is the smartest man who ever was, is now the smartest
man and will always be the smartest man, and he proves it with his
dogmatic assertions and analysis of the poles as demonstrated by his
quotes below.
[So, the INTERNAL DATA is STARTING TO LOOK LIKE IT DID BACK IN
SEPTEMBER, AND SHIFTING TO THE RIGHT AGAIN.]
or this one...
[Try looking at the INTERNAL data sometime--your "poll of polls" is
OVERINFLATED PUSH-POLLING CRAP.]
Now this is really indicative of Ike's version of the "truth".
[It's shaping up to be another GOP map.]
or this, has about the same value as his scripture commentary...
[Hey, idiot: HOW COME THE INTERNALS AREN'T MOVING BEYOND NORMAL
STATISTICAL ANOMALIES OF A POINT UP OR DOWN AS THE BATTLELINES
SOLIDIFY?]
right on mark again...
[WORSE, they subject to manipulation BY THE POLLSTERS THEMSELVES,
deliberately AND accidentally.]
[You MIGHT want to start paying attention TO THE BASIC POLLING,
Because IT MAY BE SAYING MORE THAN THE "PROFESSIONALS" DO.]
same dogmatic assertion as he makes with scripture, and just as wrong.
[And even THAT data is showing A MONUMENTAL SHIFT from OBAMA to
MCCAIN.]
yep, Ike has it all figured out...
[VoteFromAbroad.org IS ALREADY SHOWING MCCAIN TAKING THE LEAD, 270 to
268, with MORE SHIFTS TO COME from Washington, Michigan, and
Pennsylvania.]
how did everyone in the country miss this but Ike?
[EVEN NEW YORK STATE IS SHOWING A SHIFT TO THE GOP TICKET (and don't
be surprised if Giuliani Dems and the HUGE number of housewives in
up-state DON'T PUSH THE GOP WAY OVER THE TOP).]
[The rest of the electoral maps WILL SHORTLY FOLLOW SUIT.]
nothing wishy-washy about Ike's observations.
[By this time next week, the electoral college WILL SHOW THE SAME
REVERSAL AS IN THE GENERAL POLLING NUMBERS, with McCain have a HUGE
ADVANTAGE over Obama.]
same dogmatic, know it all tone as he has with scripture and the same
accuracy.
[This race is over--it ended last week.]
[Just like I told you last week concerning the general polling numbers
(and was right): WAIT FOR IT--it'll be along shortly.]
Ike provides a great demonstration of his analytical and interpreting
skills. He did come closer with the polls however than he does with
scripture.
Bear
Ike E 1/2/2010
<yawn>
Once again, Bear has to divert attention away from his ignorance through
empty polemics.
[snippeth]
Ike
bear
<xhermanei...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>Once again,
Ike provides an opportunity to show everyone his intellectual analysis
expertise with his quotes.
Ike thinks he is the smartest man who ever was, is now the smartest
man and will always be the smartest man, and he proves it with his
dogmatic assertions and analysis of the poles.
or this one...
right on mark again...
Bear
>
>Ike
>
Ike E 1/2/2010
...an opportunity for people to see Bear's hypocrisy, as he uses the same
tactics against others that he himself condemns in others, as when Bear
already knows he has lost the argument, he diverts to distractions to cover
his failed lies.
Ike
bear
<xhermanei...@gmail.com> wrote:
to show everyone his intellectual analysis expertise with his quotes.
Ike E 1/2/2010
...what a lying hypocrite Bear is.
Ike
bear
<xhermanei...@gmail.com> wrote:
an nalytical genius he is. Obviously, he really appreciates me making
his talents available to everyone.
randy
"Pastor Dave"
randy
>> Now this surprises me. The guy has a PhD and makes
>> this absurd claim that *only* Dispensationalism "clearly
>> sees a distinctive future for ethnic Israel as a nation?"
> You know exactly which context he said that in,
> but you thought that you would snip all of the
> context and pretend that it was just a general
> and a political statement.
Why don't you just admit that it is at the very least *misleading" to say
that *only* Dispensationalism sees a distinctive future for Israel? Why
don't you admit that there are nonDispensationalist futurists? Then you
won't be able to include all futurists in your arguments against
Dispensationalism. And that is the whole point for me.
>> I don't consider myself a Dispensationalist
> And yet, you are one.
No, I'm not. Dispensationalism is defined as adherance to a system in which
Israel and the Church are separated by eras. I do not believe in that.
Israel, like every other nation on earth, includes Christians. Most
importantly, I wish to be distinguished from Dispensationalism in its belief
in an "imminent" coming of Christ, "at any moment." I completely reject the
belief in pretribulationism, which is largely associated with Dispensational
teaching.
Otherwise, I think I can agree with much of what Dispensationalism has
taught, that there is a future for Israel. I do not believe that Israel is
still under covenant with God through the Law, and I'm not sure on what
basis Dispensationalists still believe Israel maintains its calling. Israel
does have a calling, but that calling is completed only with acceptance of
Christ. With that I'm sure I can agree with Dispensationalists.
randy
Ike E 1/2/2010
[snip]
An analytical genius is Ike...obviously.
Bear
bear
Poor little Ike, it seems that he is so starved for praise and
adulation that he is reduced to self accolades and then signing my
name to it, bless his little heart.
Ike thinks he is the smartest man who ever was, is now the smartest
man and will always be the smartest man, and he proves it with his
dogmatic assertions and analysis of the election poles.
Ike E 1/2/2010
Wow. I wish I was as well-informed as Ike.
Bear
bear
@tampabay.rr.com Pastor Dave
>Dear Pastor Dave,
>
>I just read your article on dispensationalism and thought that it was
>accurate and well-written. Thank you for this.
>
>With your permission I would like to consider reproducing it as a
>guest blog on The Alliance for Biblical Integrity.
>
>Would you be willing to do this?
I post a lot of stuff. Can you point me to exactly what
you're talking about, please? Thanks.
>
>Do you have any website or someplace where I could find some bio /
>ministry information about you personally to put with that.
>
>Thanks for considering it.
>
>Dave James
>
>The Alliance for Biblical Integrity
>www.biblicalintegrity.org
--
Pastor Dave
The following is part of my auto-rotating
sig file and not part of the message body.
Don't put a question mark where God put a period.
@tampabay.rr.com Pastor Dave
spake thusly:
>"Pastor Dave"
>randy
>>> Now this surprises me. The guy has a PhD and makes
>>> this absurd claim that *only* Dispensationalism "clearly
>>> sees a distinctive future for ethnic Israel as a nation?"
>
>> You know exactly which context he said that in,
>> but you thought that you would snip all of the
>> context and pretend that it was just a general
>> and a political statement.
>
>Why don't you just admit that it is at the very least *misleading" to say
>that *only* Dispensationalism sees a distinctive future for Israel?
Dispensationalism = Dispensations
That's what you believe in. Ages that change settings.
--
Pastor Dave
The following is part of my auto-rotating
sig file and not part of the message body.
Life has many choices. Eternity has two. What's yours?
bear
tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
>On Mon, 4 Jan 2010 12:39:14 -0800 (PST), Dave James
><djame...@gmail.com> spake thusly:
>
>
>>Dear Pastor Dave,
>>
>>I just read your article on dispensationalism and thought that it was
>>accurate and well-written. Thank you for this.
>>
>>With your permission I would like to consider reproducing it as a
>>guest blog on The Alliance for Biblical Integrity.
>>
>>Would you be willing to do this?
>
>I post a lot of stuff. Can you point me to exactly what
>you're talking about, please? Thanks.
>
Yep, he posts a lot of stuff, the problem is, most of it he cannot
prove and questions sends him running like a scalded dog with his tail
between his legs.
Bear
randy
"Pastor Dave"
randy
>>Why don't you just admit that it is at the very least *misleading" to say
>>that *only* Dispensationalism sees a distinctive future for Israel?
> Dispensationalism = Dispensations
> That's what you believe in. Ages that change settings.
Dispensationalism is defined as a theological system, and this involves more
than believe in changing ages.
randy
@tampabay.rr.com Pastor Dave
spake thusly:
You can tell yourself whatever you want.
--
Pastor Dave
The following is part of my auto-rotating
sig file and not part of the message body.
"A man is too apt to forget that in this world
he cannot have everything. A choice is all
that is left him." - H. Mathews
bear
tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
>On Sat, 9 Jan 2010 18:15:33 -0800, "randy" <rkl...@wavecable.com>
>spake thusly:
>
>
>>"Pastor Dave"
>>randy
>>>>Why don't you just admit that it is at the very least *misleading" to say
>>>>that *only* Dispensationalism sees a distinctive future for Israel?
>>
>>> Dispensationalism = Dispensations
>>> That's what you believe in. Ages that change settings.
>>
>>Dispensationalism is defined as a theological system, and this involves more
>>than believe in changing ages.
>>randy
>
>You can tell yourself whatever you want.
Sure, that is what Dave does, he tells himself often that "The last
days were in the first century". He cannot prove it, in fact, it is
nothing but a joke but he still tells himself.
Bear
Pastor Dave
What is Dispensationalism?
By Michael J. Vlach, Ph.D.
Introduction
History of Dispensationalism
Foundational Features of Dispensationalism [4]
1. Hermeneutical approach that stresses a literal
fulfillment of Old Testament promises to Israel though
the issue of �literal interpretation� is heavily debated
today, many Dispensationalists claim that consistent
literal interpretation applied to all areas of the Bible,
including Old Testament promises to Israel,
is a distinguishing mark of Dispensationalism.
Dispensationalists usually argue that the progress of
revelation, including New Testament revelation, does not
cancel Old Testament promises made with national Israel.
Although there is internal debate concerning how much
the church is related to the Old Testament covenants
and promises, Dispensationalists believe national Israel
will see the literal fulfillment of the promises made with
her in the Old Testament.
2. Belief that the unconditional, eternal covenants made
with national Israel (Abrahamic, Davidic, and New) must
be fulfilled literally with national Israel although the
church may participate in or partially fulfill the Biblical
covenants, they do not take over the covenants to the
exclusion of national Israel. Physical and spiritual
promises to Israel must be fulfilled with Israel.
3. Distinct future for national Israel �Only
Dispensationalism clearly sees a distinctive future for
ethnic Israel as a nation.� [5]. This future includes
a restoration of the nation with a distinct identity
and function.
4. The church is distinct from Israel. The church does
not replace or continue Israel, and is never referred to
as Israel. According to Dispensationalists, the church
did not exist in the Old Testament and did not begin
until the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Old Testament
promises to Israel, then, cannot be entirely fulfilled with
Variations Within Dispensationalism
[5] Feinberg, 83.
[7] Feinberg, 85.
--
Pastor Dave
The following is part of my auto-rotating
sig file and not part of the message body.
"Words that soak into your ears are whispered, not yelled."
- Farmer's Advice
Ike E 1/2/2010
"Pastor Dave" <ananias917_@_gmail.com> wrote in message
news:8kkjl5t0urmgproon...@4ax.com...
>
> What is Dispensationalism?
A school of prophetic interpretation almost as dumb as Preterism.
Ike