Introduction to Dispensationalism
From 2Timothy2.org
Objectives
Opening
- What words, if any, come to mind when you hear the word dispensationalism?
Main Body
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."[1] 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." [2]. 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."[3]
- 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."[1] 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." [2]. 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."[3]
