What is Dispensationalism?

[konroh]

I think that those who attack the dispensational idea that the Church replaces Israel in God's plan have some merit. The understanding of the church age as a parenthesis as if Israel has been set aside should be examined. Whenever one uses a parenthesis the idea is often an enhanced explanation, something that is previously unrevealed, and not unrelated to the original topic. So the idea goes like this: Covenants and Promise and Blessings to Israel (New Covenant blessings to expanded people of God, the Church, including both Jew and Gentile) Fulfilled Promises to All God's People.

We all agree that there will be a New heaven and a New earth. What is the picture we have of this?
Rev. 21:10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. 12It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. 13There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west. 14And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Look at this incredibly beautiful picture of eternity. 12 tribes, 12 apostles, unified and yet having distinction! It's amazing that the foundation stones are actually the 12 apostles and the gates are the 12 tribes. God made promises to Israel, He'll keep them, He's made promises to the Church, He'll keep them.

The true understanding of God's plan is an expansive one. Chafer actually used the term "intercalation" instead of parenthesis, a softer term. The Church doesn't set Israel aside, it expands the promises, but it doesn't change the original promises, all will be fulfilled.

 

[nathan3]

There are dispensations of time ,we have to observe and be aware of when reading the Bible . But i disagree with that Definition the original poster of the thread gave. There is no Allegory ( made up stories ) in the Bible . These definitions you gave; and i'll add the majority of peoples understanding about what this word means, is leaving much to be desired , for Biblical understanding .

 

[nathan3]

I'm going to work on defining this accurately as it applies to scriptures . So as to better illustrate what this word means, and to clear up all the confusion being pushed out there by it. I will even dedicate a blog post to this word.

 

[RedTent]

The latter belief is called "replacement theology." It teaches that the church has replaced Israel in God's plans, prophecies, and blessings. The roles of Israel and the church are foundational to the events of the end times; what one believes about replacement theology largely determines what one believes about the rapture, the tribulation, and the millennial kingdom, not to mention the role of the church in modern society,

We need to know what the Lord is speaking of when scripture uses the term "Israel". Sometimes it talks of the race of people God used to explain who He is to the world and what His principles are. But other scripture use that word as a name for the God's people. While God does make a physical distinction between Hebrew and gentile, He makes no spiritual distinction between His Jewish and gentile Believers. This must be understood in order to understand scripture. Scripture explains it well in the book of Romans.

Two other terms must be understood: grace and law. Both explain two different facts that need understanding to be able to understand the spiritual content of scripture. Neither wipes out the other, both stand side by side in the spiritual world.

I think we could think this through much better without mixing our thinking up with man terms like "replacement theology" and simply used scripture.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

I think that those who attack the dispensational idea that the Church replaces Israel in God's plan have some merit. The understanding of the church age as a parenthesis as if Israel has been set aside should be examined.

The parentheses in GOD's scheme was the natural kingdom of Israel, not the church. It was never GOD's intention for there to be a natural kingdom of Israel. He said Israel's request for such was idolatry and rebellion. Paul said the law was implemented only as a temporary measure until Christ came. Natural Israel was a temporary fixture in GOD's plan.

 

[RedTent]

The parentheses in GOD's scheme was the natural kingdom of Israel, not the church. It was never GOD's intention for there to be a natural kingdom of Israel. He said Israel's request for such was idolatry and rebellion. Paul said the law was implemented only as a temporary measure until Christ came. Natural Israel was a temporary fixture in GOD's plan.

God never, ever does anything that is not done with precision, exactness. He doesn't do anything that is not in line with His principles and over all plan. When we change this, we are putting our own thinking into the divine mind of God. Even God's use of animal blood that was a shadow, an indication of the real blood to come, was not done as a temporary measure. It prepared the world for Christ, we are to learn from it. When God gave the law to Moses, or when God led the Hebrews out of Egypt, it was part of God's plan and we are to learn from His plans not set them aside as "Oh Well, God didn't mean it, it was JUST temporary.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

God never, ever does anything that is not done with precision, exactness. He doesn't do anything that is not in line with His principles and over all plan. When we change this, we are putting our own thinking into the divine mind of God. Even God's use of animal blood that was a shadow, an indication of the real blood to come, was not done as a temporary measure. It prepared the world for Christ, we are to learn from it. When God gave the law to Moses, or when God led the Hebrews out of Egypt, it was part of God's plan and we are to learn from His plans not set them aside as "Oh Well, God didn't mean it, it was JUST temporary.

GOD accommodated their wickedness; he didn't plan it.

1 Samuel 8:5-10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

5 [Israel] said to [Samuel] “Look, you are old, and your sons do not follow your example. Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations have.”
6 When they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” Samuel considered their demand sinful, so he prayed to the Lord.
7 But the Lord told him, “Listen to the people and everything they say to you. They have not rejected you; they have rejected Me as their king.
8 They are doing the same thing to you that they have done to Me,[a] since the day I brought them out of Egypt until this day, rejecting Me and worshiping other gods.​

 

[BradC]

When we approach the scriptures to learn truth, we labor much but we don't agonize and strive for the truth. Jesus said that when we come to him the yoke will be easy. When we study we are diligent to exert ourselves as we labor in the word and in doctrine, but we do it not in the weariness or energy of the flesh but with a meek and quiet spirit that can be entreated by the Holy Spirit. In Psalm 25:9 we are taught that, the meek will God guide in judgment and the meek will he teach his way. We must be Spirit taught the word and doctrine and not self taught through the accumulation of knowledge. Solomon is the prime example of one who learned much but he saw that is was all vanity and vexation of spirit. When we learn in meekness through the Spirit the word of God becomes life as it brings light to our understanding. The word through the Spirit must enter the human spirit to give us God's light as it divides the soul from the spirit. If knowledge enters the soul without that division it becomes knowledge without the conviction of light given by the Spirit. It empowers the soul with self knowledge but has no power or ability to quicken the individual with truth in the details of life.

We have been given dispensational truth from the beginning when God inspired his spoken and revealed word to be written as the oracles of God. The inspiration of the written word has been given throughout the ages in many diverse forms through many individuals that God has raised up to be his mouthpiece or prophets who were moved by the Spirit. They came from all walks of life but were chosen in their age and time frame to reveal God's thoughts in the plan and will of God. These revealed thoughts were given at different times and in different manners so that man could hear from God and manage his life according to those thoughts (or God's words). God's word was always supreme and was to be heeded in every age without exception whether by covenant, by promise, by prophecy, by revelation, by knowledge or by doctrine or even by words of edification, whether from a burning bush or from an ass. To say that God has not spoken dispensationally in different ways throughout the many ages of human history is to deny the inspiration of God and in the diverse manner that he has chosen to communicate with man throughout.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

When we approach the scriptures to learn truth, we labor much but we don't agonize and strive for the truth. Jesus said that when we come to him the yoke will be easy. When we study we are diligent to exert ourselves as we labor in the word and in doctrine, but we do it not in the weariness or energy of the flesh but with a meek and quiet spirit that can be entreated by the Holy Spirit. In Psalm 25:9 we are taught that, the meek will God guide in judgment and the meek will he teach his way. We must be Spirit taught the word and doctrine and not self taught through the accumulation of knowledge. Solomon is the prime example of one who learned much but he saw that is was all vanity and vexation of spirit. When we learn in meekness through the Spirit the word of God becomes life as it brings light to our understanding. The word through the Spirit must enter the human spirit to give us God's light as it divides the soul from the spirit. If knowledge enters the soul without that division it becomes knowledge without the conviction of light given by the Spirit. It empowers the soul with self knowledge but has no power or ability to quicken the individual with truth in the details of life.

We have been given dispensational truth from the beginning when God inspired his spoken and revealed word to be written as the oracles of God. The inspiration of the written word has been given throughout the ages in many diverse forms through many individuals that God has raised up to be his mouthpiece or prophets who were moved by the Spirit. They came from all walks of life but were chosen in their age and time frame to reveal God's thoughts in the plan and will of God. These revealed thoughts were given at different times and in different manners so that man could hear from God and manage his life according to those thoughts (or God's words). God's word was always supreme and was to be heeded in every age without exception whether by covenant, by promise, by prophecy, by revelation, by knowledge or by doctrine or even by words of edification, whether from a burning bush or from an ass. To say that God has not spoken dispensationally in different ways throughout the many ages of human history is to deny the inspiration of God and in the diverse manner that he has chosen to communicate with man throughout.

So these people are headed to hell? Can't find Gods yoke easy? Sorry, But I disagree. I have many amillenial friends. who are not headed to hell. And who sees Gods yoke as light.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

The parentheses in GOD's scheme was the natural kingdom of Israel, not the church. It was never GOD's intention for there to be a natural kingdom of Israel. He said Israel's request for such was idolatry and rebellion. Paul said the law was implemented only as a temporary measure until Christ came. Natural Israel was a temporary fixture in GOD's plan.

So God lied when he said "forever"

Wow.

The only thing God promised the church was eternal life with him. If he can;t keep his "forever"promise with the nation for Israel. We should not expect him to keep his "forever" promise with us. Plain and simple.

 

[BradC]

So these people are headed to hell? Can't find Gods yoke easy? Sorry, But I disagree. I have many amillenial friends. who are not headed to hell. And who sees Gods yoke as light.

I'm sorry, but I have no idea how you came to that conclusion.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I'm sorry, but I have no idea how you came to that conclusion.

maybe the way you concluded your post.

To say that God has not spoken dispensationally in different ways throughout the many ages of human history is to deny the inspiration of God and in the diverse manner that he has chosen to communicate with man throughout.

which was your conclusion to everything you said.

 

[Pilgrim-Progress]

So these people are headed to hell? Can't find Gods yoke easy? Sorry, But I disagree. I have many amillenial friends. who are not headed to hell. And who sees Gods yoke as light.

no way dude amillennialism is a dum theory. its not biblical. revelations is not symbolic. genesis is not symbolic. Jesus is not symbolic. The Holy Spirit is real. Jesus will return. There will be a thousands years in which He rules. Satan and his followers will be cast forever in2 hellfir........ dats d bybl. if u dont lyk that then u need 2 repent an b baptized, cus u cant understand the bible with ur own mind.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

no way dude amillennialism is a dum theory. its not biblical. revelations is not symbolic. genesis is not symbolic. Jesus is not symbolic. The Holy Spirit is real. Jesus will return. There will be a thousands years in which He rules. Satan and his followers will be cast forever in2 hellfir........ dats d bybl. if u dont lyk that then u need 2 repent an b baptized, cus u cant understand the bible with ur own mind.

Dude.

1. Your a judgmental hypocrite. No better than the pharisees.
2. I am not amillennial. I am pre-millennial. Thus, You should think before you speak. You just stuck your foot in your mouth, do you need help getting it out?
3. This is not a salvic issue. No one will go to heaven because of what they believe in this subject.

 

[JesusChica1991]

revelations is not symbolic.

1.) The book is called Revelation.
2.) If Revelation isn't symbolic, then you must believe a literal http://www.lovethetruth.com/nwo/beast_of_revelation.jpg is real.
3.) http://dedication.www3.50megs.com/jpg/4_beasts_sm.jpg that must be real too

Come on, buddy. I'm not premillenial like I was. But when I was, I had the common sense to know that the beasts and dragons and things of that nature were not to be taken literally.

 

[Pilgrim-Progress]

Dude.

1. Your a judgmental hypocrite. No better than the pharisees.
2. I am not amillennial. I am pre-millennial. Thus, You should think before you speak. You just stuck your foot in your mouth, do you need help getting it out?
3. This is not a salvic issue. No one will go to heaven because of what they believe in this subject.

that's just sitting on the fence. either He is going to reign or not. u cant sit on the fence, and then tell ppl that tell u ur sitting on the fence that they're sitting on the fence. also, just because u call urself something, does not mean that u understand it

 

[Pilgrim-Progress]

Dude.

1. Your a judgmental hypocrite. No better than the pharisees.
2. I am not amillennial. I am pre-millennial. Thus, You should think before you speak. You just stuck your foot in your mouth, do you need help getting it out?
3. This is not a salvic issue. No one will go to heaven because of what they believe in this subject.

Athanecues was the only dude that defended the deity of Jesus. i know one thing that this revelations issue is a big issue. it ties in with the whole hope of physical salvation... u know.. saving christians from years and years of torture and slavery and death unlike anything we ever imagine. if u dont get the taechings ryt u set ur disciples up 4 a false hope.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

that's just sitting on the fence. either He is going to reign or not. u cant sit on the fence, and then tell ppl that tell u ur sitting on the fence that they're sitting on the fence. also, just because u call urself something, does not mean that u understand it

lol. Yet again you show your ignorance.

1. I believe in a future 7 years
2. I believe in a 3 1/2 year tribulation, which immediately follows daniels abomination
3. I believe in the return of Christ immediately following this for the elect. because if he did not come, no flesh would survice (he who endures will be saved)
4. I believe in a 1000 year literal reign of Christ.

Yet non of this will get me to heaven. Nor will it you. Only the gospel of Christ can save us, And we can believe in an amillennial doctrine and also believe in the true Gospel.

It is people like you who give people who believe like me a BAD NAME!

if you do not stop it, Your gonna swallow your foot.

 

[Pilgrim-Progress]

1.) The book is called Revelation.
2.) If Revelation isn't symbolic, then you must believe a literal http://www.lovethetruth.com/nwo/beast_of_revelation.jpg is real.
3.) http://dedication.www3.50megs.com/jpg/4_beasts_sm.jpg that must be real too

Come on, buddy. I'm not premillenial like I was. But when I was, I had the common sense to know that the beasts and dragons and things of that nature were not to be taken literally.

i had my caps lock on
ugh Jesus Chica u hav 2 draw the line, otherwise u will neva b able 2 make a stand.
obviously there are literary devices in scripture metaphors symbols but to say A WHOLE BOOK is symbolic. thats taking it 2 far.
3 4ths of the bible is prophesy. that is not symbolic.
u myt as will convert to agnosticism on the spot and then tell every1 u serve a mighty creator
btw thats what every1 does
btw... first time u heard that

?

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Athanecues was the only dude that defended the deity of Jesus. i know one thing that this revelations issue is a big issue. it ties in with the whole hope of physical salvation... u know.. saving christians from years and years of torture and slavery and death unlike anything we ever imagine. if u dont get the taechings ryt u set ur disciples up 4 a false hope.

W

Wrong

If you do not get this right, yet still get the gospel right. No matter what happens. You will still be saved.