Three Distinctives of Dispensationalism
As dispensational thought began to be developed, it was noticed that there are three distinctives about dispensationalism. These are three things which are more true of dispensationalism than they are about other theological systems. First, dispensationalism
most consistently interprets the Bible literally. Other systems of understanding the Bible may interpret the Bible literally on occasion, or even most of the time. But dispensationalism is the system that most consistently interprets the Bible literally.
The second distinctive of dispensationalism is that it distinguishes between the church and Israel. This is really just an application of the first distinctive. But the other leading system of understanding the Bible, Covenant Theology, often blends the church and Israel together. A dispensational approach
allows us to understand that at one time, God was dealing with Israel, He is now dealing with the church, and one day He will deal with Israel again.
The third distinctive of dispensational understanding has to do with God’s ultimate purpose. Covenant Theology is centred primarily around the idea of salvation. God’s saving of people throughout the Bible is what they base their understanding on. For the dispensationalist, salvation is important, but
more important is God’s Glory. Dispensationalism does not focus on salvation. It focuses on God’s testing of man. In every test, man is found wanting, God is vindicated in his power and righteousness, and the glory goes to God.
Dispensationalism < click to read
is this very short article accurate?
In my opinion, not precisely.
A little lipstick has been put on the pig:
"most consistently interprets the Bible literally" - should be most
inconsistently interprets the Bible, in light of the whole Bible
"
allows us to understand" - i.e, allows us a framework for a contra-Biblical doctrine
"more important is God's glory" - that's the real kicker.
The fact is: in dispensationalism "more important is Israel's glory."
Dispensationalism shifts the focus, emphasis and purpose of God from the excellence
of his plan in Christ Jesus and his body, the Church of believing Jews and Gentiles
(which includes the OT saints--Heb 11:39-40, 12:22-24; Rev 21;12-14),
to the excellence of his supposed plan for a future restoration of Israel.
The land promise to the forefathers has been completely fulfilled in the
possession of the land under Joshua (Josh 21:43-45) and its full occupation
under Solomon (1Kgs 4:21, 24-25).
Heb 11:8-16 explains that the title to an "everlasting possession" (Ge 17:8, 48:4)
was a title to heavenly land (Heb 11: 10, 16), not to earthly land.
Consequently, dispensationalism sees the promise to Abraham of Ge 12:3 (to be
a blessing to all nations) to be fulfilled in a future restoration of Israel, rather than
in the promised Seed (Ge 3:15), Jesus Christ!
It removes Jesus Christ from the center of God's plan and replaces him with Israel.
The article falls way short of being accurate.