Introduction to Dispensationalism - Revision history

Wakefien at 04:53, 8 April 2019

2019-04-08T04:53:41Z

Wakefien at 20:51, 26 February 2019

2019-02-26T20:51:32Z

Wakefien: /* What is Dispensationalism? */

2019-02-14T21:52:06Z

‎What is Dispensationalism?

Wakefien: /* Opening */

2019-02-09T22:50:04Z

‎Opening

Wakefien: /* Should we really interpret the Bible literally? */

2019-02-09T22:43:30Z

‎Should we really interpret the Bible literally?

Wakefien: /* Should we really interpret the Bible literally? */

2019-02-09T22:43:13Z

‎Should we really interpret the Bible literally?

Wakefien: /* Does Dispensationalism Make any Sense */

2019-02-09T22:41:55Z

‎Does Dispensationalism Make any Sense

Wakefien: /* What Common Misconceptions Do People Have? */

2019-01-29T16:19:18Z

‎What Common Misconceptions Do People Have?

Wakefien: /* Objectives */

2019-01-24T17:50:59Z

‎Objectives

Wakefien: /* Main Body */

2019-01-24T17:50:11Z

‎Main Body

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 =Objectives=
-*Students will have an accurate definition of dispensationalism that thy understand and can critique.
+*Students will have an accurate definition of dispensationalism that they understand and can critique.
 =Opening=

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	*We are in the dispensation of Grace. If the ultimate purpose is God's glory, how can we give God the glory?		*We are in the dispensation of Grace. If the ultimate purpose is God's glory, how can we give God the glory?
		+
		+	=References=

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 ==What is Dispensationalism?==
 *What is dispensationalism?
-**This is not really an answerable question because dispensationalism can be broken into many different sects.  Geisler defines a dispensation as "a 'divine order of affairs' or a 'period of administration.'  It is a specific time in the unfolding drama of redemption wherein God ordains a specific arrangement of events and commands for a specific purpose.  His purpose includes the feat of evil."<ref>Geisler, Norman L. Systematic theology: In one volume. Bethany House, 2011. pg 796</ref> In the 19th century, Nelson Darby developed a perspective based upon a literal interpretation of scripture in which he broke up the way God deals with mankind into dispensations instead of covenants.  This work started the dispensational movement.  It is important to realize that many elements of dispensationalism were around from the start of the church, but the label began with Darby.  There is actually a lot of confusion about dispensationalism and part of that confusion is probably because the Scofield Reference Bible states that "a dispensation is a period of time during which man is tested in respect to his obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God." <ref>pg. 4</ref>. Ryrie notes that criticism of Scofield's definitions are valid because "a dispensation is primarily a stewardship, administration, or arrangement and not a period of time.  Age and dispensation are not synonymous in meaning even though they may exactly coincide in history."<ref>Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. "The Necessity of Dispensationalism.”." Vital Prophetic Issues: Examining Promises and Problems in Eschatology (1956). pg. 5</ref>. The key is that a dispensation is the stewardship, administration, or arrangement and so the definition must emphasize these elements.  Additionally, dispensations build upon each other, this does not mean that everything from a previous dispensation will carry into the next dispensation, but it does mean that there may be overlap.  Ryrie define a dispensation to be "a distinguishable economy in the outworking of God's purpose."<ref> Ibid.</ref>
+**This is not really an answerable question because dispensationalism can be broken into many different sects.  Geisler defines a dispensation as "a 'divine order of affairs' or a 'period of administration.'  It is a specific time in the unfolding drama of redemption wherein God ordains a specific arrangement of events and commands for a specific purpose.  His purpose includes the defeat of evil."<ref>Geisler, Norman L. Systematic theology: In one volume. Bethany House, 2011. pg 796</ref> In the 19th century, Nelson Darby developed a perspective based upon a literal interpretation of scripture in which he broke up the way God deals with mankind into dispensations instead of covenants.  This work started the dispensational movement.  It is important to realize that many elements of dispensationalism were around from the start of the church, but the label began with Darby.  There is actually a lot of confusion about dispensationalism and part of that confusion is probably because the Scofield Reference Bible states that "a dispensation is a period of time during which man is tested in respect to his obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God." <ref>pg. 4</ref>. Ryrie notes that criticism of Scofield's definitions are valid because "a dispensation is primarily a stewardship, administration, or arrangement and not a period of time.  Age and dispensation are not synonymous in meaning even though they may exactly coincide in history."<ref>Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. "The Necessity of Dispensationalism.”." Vital Prophetic Issues: Examining Promises and Problems in Eschatology (1956). pg. 5</ref>. The key is that a dispensation is the stewardship, administration, or arrangement and so the definition must emphasize these elements.  Additionally, dispensations build upon each other, this does not mean that everything from a previous dispensation will carry into the next dispensation, but it does mean that there may be overlap.  Ryrie define a dispensation to be "a distinguishable economy in the outworking of God's purpose."<ref> Ibid.</ref>
 *What are the essentials of dispensationalism?

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	=Opening=		=Opening=
		+	*What do you notice about the following charts? (Note: the charts here are not an endorsement of the views but rather discussion starter.)
		+	**[https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cu0yVwPUV_k/Wk-94foREGI/AAAAAAAAFjA/O0kdeYzYNEgB8JKKQHFciQciOOS37vxTwCLcBGAs/s400/dispe.gif]
		+	**[https://www.preteristarchive.com/ARTchive/Charts/Futurist/dispensations-7_02.jpg]
		+	**[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Millennial_views.svg/380px-Millennial_views.svg.png]
		+	**[https://sharedveracity.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/covenants.jpg]
		+	**[https://sharedveracity.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/revelation_clarencelarkin.gif]
		+	**[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT5HsjZ25omjx9U-tS2agKY26FWhuWIDkCKHkYhmvu8_D3Ml-X6hg]
	*What words, if any, come to mind when you hear the word dispensationalism?		*What words, if any, come to mind when you hear the word dispensationalism?

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 *How did the authors of Hebrews interpret the Old Testament according to Hebrews 11?
 *Consider the culture, in particular, greco-roman culture, at the time of the early Church.  How would you describe the greco-roman gods?  How might this impact interpretation of scripture.
-**The greco-roman gods were an embarrassment, they were vengeful, lustful, greedy, arrogant, and anything but holy.  In order to handle these gods, the people developed a method of interpreting mythology that allegorized the message.  One Jew, Philo of Alexandria (25 BC- AD 50) suggests that the God of the Old Testament might best be understood in this allegorical method.  At first this method was only used by some Jews in Alexandria but as time went on the influence of these Jews spread and Christians began to use the allegorical method.  By AD 354-430, Augustine, seeking to eliminate the need for a literal 1000 year reign of Christ adopted the allegorical interpretation of scripture.  One of the most significant aspects of Martin Luther's reform was his move back to a literal interpretation, the literal interpretation allowed him to rediscover doctrines justification by faith.  You may come across someone who says something like "did you know that the doctrine taught in the Left Behind series wasn't invented until the late 1800's?"  A proper response might go something like this, "that is not entirely correct, the eschatological doctrines you are referring to were well known and accepted in the first century but an insistence on allegorical interpretation led the doctrines to fall out of favor for over 1000 years.  Once a literal interpretation of scripture was reinstated the doctrines were rediscovered.  So, not only is that a weak argument, but the fact that the doctrines were discovered twice seems to indicate that they are robust."
+**The greco-roman gods were an embarrassment, they were vengeful, lustful, greedy, arrogant, and anything but holy.  In order to handle these gods, the people developed a method of interpreting mythology that allegorized the message.  One Jew, Philo of Alexandria (25 BC- AD 50) suggests that the God of the Old Testament might best be understood in this allegorical method.  At first this method was only used by some Jews in Alexandria but as time went on the influence of these Jews spread and Christians began to use the allegorical method.  By AD 354-430, Augustine, seeking to eliminate the need for a literal 1000 year reign of Christ adopted the allegorical interpretation of scripture.  One of the most significant aspects of Martin Luther's reform was his move back to a literal interpretation, the literal interpretation allowed him to rediscover doctrines like justification by faith.  You may come across someone who says something like "did you know that the doctrine taught in the Left Behind series wasn't invented until the late 1800's?"  A proper response might go something like this, "that is not entirely correct, the eschatological doctrines you are referring to were well known and accepted in the first century but an insistence on allegorical interpretation led the doctrines to fall out of favor for over 1000 years.  Once a literal interpretation of scripture was reinstated the doctrines were rediscovered.  So, not only is that a weak argument, but the fact that the doctrines were discovered twice seems to indicate that they are robust."
 *What command is given in 2 Timothy 4:1-2?

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 ==Does Dispensationalism Make any Sense==
-Before looking into specifics of dispensationalism (many lessons to follow)n we will first examine the three tenants of dispensationalism to se if they make any sense at all.
+Before looking into specifics of dispensationalism (many lessons to follow)n we will first examine the three tenants of dispensationalism to see if they make any sense at all.
 ===Are Israel and the Church Distinct?===
 *What distinction does Paul make in 1 Corinthians 10:32?  What dos Paul speak about in Romans 11:25-26?

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 *Is dispensationalism a means of dividing up time?
 **No, it may be useful to consider time when talking about dispensations but remember, the key is that a dispensation is the stewardship, administration, or arrangement and so the definition must emphasize these elements.
 =Conclusion=

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	**Angelic Hosts		**Angelic Hosts

		+	==What Common Misconceptions Do People Have?==
		+	*Is dispensationalism all about prophecy?
		+	**No, but some people believe it is because of books like ''Left Behind''
		+	*Is dispensationalism a means of dividing up time?
		+	**No, it may be useful to consider time when talking about dispensations but remember, the key is that a dispensation is the stewardship, administration, or arrangement and so the definition must emphasize these elements.

	=Conclusion=		=Conclusion=