Posted on 04/12/2007 12:23:10 PM PDT by topcat54
DISPENSATIONALISM
Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth Dispensationalism is a doctrinal system that keeps Israel and the Church distinct. This system teaches that throughout history God is seen to have two distinct purposes and two distinct people and these distinctions are maintained throughout eternity (or at least throughout the end of the millennium). The question is whether the Bible teaches of such a division. To the contrary, the Bible teaches that God has taken all of His people and made them ONE. "For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity." (Ephesians 2:14-16). DISPENSATIONAL DISTINCTIVES DISTINCTION #1: Plan & Purpose of God.
Dispensationalism teaches that God has two separate plans and two separate and distinct peoples through whom He works - Israel and the Church.
The Bible teaches that God has ONE unified people. In the Old Testament that was Israel, but even then not all Israel was Israel, but only those who entered into covenant relationship of faith in God. Those who are not of faith are not His people. And those who are of faith are His people. This is true in every age. This is why Paul can say that "those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham" (Galatians 3:7).
DISTINCTION #2: The Law.
Dispensationalism says that the Mosaic Law is done away in Christ.
It is true that the Bible sees the Ceremonial Law as being fulfilled in Christ, but the Moral Law as contained in the Ten Commandments are repeated throughout the New Testament, showing that those commands are still in force (though admittedly the nature of the Sabbath is described differently since we have now entered into the rest provided by Christ). Indeed, Jesus Himself said, "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill" (Matthew 5:17). Does His fulfillment of the Law mean that it has passed away? To the contrary, He explains His meaning with a careful and sober warning: "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:19).
DISTINCTION #3: The Nature of the Church.
Dispensationalism sees the church as a parenthesis, a temporary situation lying between God's two dealings with Israel.
The Bible sees the church as the culmination of all God's people, the very body of Christ and the fullness of God. Paul speaks of the message given to him "to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 3:9-10). Far from being a parenthesis, the church is the culmination of something begun in Old Testament times. Paul goes on to point out that "this was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:11).
DISTINCTION #4: Church in the Old Testament.
Dispensationalism usually teaches that the church is neither found nor mentioned in the Old Testament.
The Bible states that the Old Testament DID look forward to a time when Gentiles would enter into the Covenant. The promised Messiah was to be both a "covenant to the people, and a light to the nations" (Psalm 42:6). God also said, "I will call those who were not My people, 'My people'" (Romans 9:24-25).
Paul is specific to tell us that the coming of Gentiles into the church was a confirmation of "the promises given to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, 'Therefore I will give praise to Thee among the Gentiles, And I will sing to Thy name'" (Romans 15:8-9).
Peter says that "the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful search and inquiry, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you" (1 Peter 1:10-12). The Old Testament prophets not only prophesied of those glories that would follow the cross, but also acknowledged that their prophecies were to benefit the future church.
DISTINCTION #5: Old Testament Promises.
Dispensationalism says that all of the promises given in the Old Testament must be fulfilled to a political nation of Israel.
Over and over again, the Bible sees these promises being fulfilled to the Church as the "Spiritual Israel" and people of God. The Bible teaches us that "they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel" (Romans 9:6). Conversely, we have already seen how the presence of Gentiles in the church was a fulfillment of the Old Testament promise that God would "call those who were not My people, 'My people'" (Romans 9:24-25).
The writer to the Hebrews says that those Old Testament saints "did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect" (Hebrews 11:39-40). This is completely antithetical to the Dispensational teaching that says, "Israel gets the promises to Israel and the church gets the promises to the church and never the twain shall meet."
It is significant that when James wanted to demonstrate the legitimacy of the New Testament program of bringing Gentiles into the church, he turned to the Old Testament, saying, "Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. And with this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, ‘After these things I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen, and I will rebuild its ruins, And I will restore it, in order that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name'" (Acts 15:14-17). The passage to which James turned was that of Amos 9:11-12.
Old Testament Prophecy |
New Testament Fulfillment |
"I will rebuild the Tabernacle of David" |
The growth of the church |
"...in order that the rest of mankind may see the Lord" |
Gentiles to become Christians in the growing church. |
James had no problems looking to the events that were going on in the church of his day and seeing them as fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies.
DISTINCTION #6: Two Comings of Christ Versus One.
Dispensationalism teaches that Christ will return to the earth is a secret "Rapture" in which all believers will be removed from the earth. This is later followed by the "Second Coming of Christ" which is a distinct and separate event.
The Bible teaches that there is ONE future coming of Christ in which "every eye shall see Him" and "every knee shall bow." Instead of a second and third future coming, the Bible teaches that Christ, "having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him" (Hebrews 9:28). For further discussion on the Dispensational "Rapture" Theory, see The Rapture Question and A Critique of the Evidences for a Pretribulational Rapture.
DISPENSATIONALISM VERSUS COVENANT THEOLOGY Dispensationalism can best be understood in light of a contrast with what has come to be known as "Covenant Theology."
Dispensationalism |
Covenant Theology |
Stresses "literal" interpretation of the Bible |
Accepts both literal and figurative (spiritual) interpretation of the Bible |
"Israel" always means only the literal, physical descendants of Jacob |
"Israel" may mean either physical descendants of Jacob, or spiritual Israel, depending on context |
"Israel of God" in Galatians 6:16 means physical Israel alone |
"Israel of God" in Galatians 6:16 means spiritual Israel, parallel to Gal. 3:29; Rom. 2:28-29; 9:6; Phil. 3:3. |
God has 2 peoples with 2 separate destinies: Israel (earthly) and the Church (heavenly). |
God has one covenant people. Those in this age have become a part of God's continuing covenant people. |
All Old Testament prophecies for "Israel" are only for the physical nation of Israel, not for the Church |
Some Old Testament prophecies are for national Israel, others for spiritual Israel |
The Church is a parenthesis in God's program for the ages |
The Church is the culmination of God's saving purpose for the ages |
The main heir to Abraham's covenant was Isaac and literal Israel |
The main heir to Abraham's covenant was Christ, the Seed, and spiritual Israel which is "in Christ" |
Jesus made an offer of the literal Kingdom to Israel; since Israel rejected it, it is postponed |
Jesus made only an offer of the Spiritual Kingdom, which was rejected by literal Israel but has gradually been accepted by spiritual Israel |
Teaches that the Millennium is the Kingdom of God. They are always Premillennial, usually Pre-tribulation |
The Church is the Kingdom of God. This can be interpreted both within the Premillennial, Post Millennial or Amillennial framework. |
The Old Testament animal sacrifices will be restored in the Millennium, as a memorial only |
The Old Testament sacrifices were fulfilled and forever abolished in Christ |
THE TERM "DISPENSATION" The word "dispensation" is translated from the Greek word OIKONOMIA. This term is used three times in Luke 16:2-4. All three times it refers to the responsibilities of a servant (or a steward). It is used in 1 Corinthians 9:17 to describe the responsibilities which the Lord had laid specifically upon Paul. Ephesians 1:10 speaks of the purpose which God had in centering and "administering" all things in Christ. Ephesians 3:2 speaks of Paul's special ministry to the Gentiles. If this is to be considered a separate Dispensation in the Theological sense, then we must also conclude that the other apostles were still stuck in the previous Dispensation to the Jews. Colossians 1:25 does the same thing, speaking of the stewardship which the Lord had placed upon Paul - the stewardship of the preaching of the Word of God. 1 Timothy 1:4 urges Timothy to pay attention to the EDIFYING (i.e., the administration) of the things of the Lord. Not once do we ever see the term "dispensation" used in the Bible in the manner that is used by Dispensationalists. THE "DOUBLE VISION" OF DISPENSATIONALISM Have you ever tried to deliberately cross your eyes? The result is that your vision becomes blurred and you begin to see things with a "double vision." If you are looking at a coffee mug, you will instead see two of them. Dispensationalism suffers from this kind of spiritual myopia.
I believe that to view the Scriptures through the lens of Dispensationalism creates a distorted view of the Bible, the church and the Lord's revealed program for the ages.
But certainly one’s eschatology does to some measure contribute to whether you view your responsibility as “soul winning” vs. “kingdom building”.
Are you polishing brass on a sinking ship or tending to the mustard seed that is growing into a large tree?
These are fundamentally eschatological questions.
Three threads, and still nobody has been able to disprove Scripture as interpreted from the view point of dispensational ages.
Maybe instead of attacking believers in an adversarial fashion, those who don’t understand the significance of dispensations in Prophecy might simply return to God through faith in Christ and allow Him to guide them.
Well since you know it all, topcat, why are you so preoccupied with accusing other believers, categorizing them into denominations, rather than simply letting Scripture speak for itself? BTW, Chafer and a number of other dispensational authors rarely follow denominational lines, but instead by studying Scripture, have recognized and discerned some prophetic programs which are not fulfilled by the Church, and accordingly have studied His Word for how He presents His plan. Since you know it all, obviously you could help other believers learn Scripture, if you are filled with the Holy Spirit and gifted by Him to so teach.
Of course, attmpting to promote Covenant Theology is considerably more problematic than those who recognize the dispensations, ages, and times of Scriptural Prophecy.
We must be reading different threads. :-)
Actually the dispensationalists are dropping like flies and many are now refusing to answer straight up questions.
Maybe instead of attacking believers in an adversarial fashion, those who don’t understand the significance of dispensations in Prophecy might simply return to God through faith in Christ and allow Him to guide them.
But suppose we do “understand the significance of dispensations in Prophecy” (according to the dispensationalists) and what if these "dispensational truths" invented in 1830 by Darby and Co. are not really from the Spirit of God through the Word of God, but are simply an invention of the enemy?
Should we just roll over and play dead?
Btw, are you still working on an answer to my question about the doctrine of the Hypostatic Union?
I asked, “You still have not told me what it is, or what it has to do with the subject we have been discussing. How do I know you understand the doctrine and are properly applying it?”
Allow me to parse this:
1) preoccupied with accusing other believers,
I’m not sure what I’m accusing other believer of other than their view of Scripture may be deficient. You and others here do that to me all the time. So you should not have a problem with it.
2) categorizing them into denominations, rather
I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned another person’s denomination in this forum, or “accused” them of being such-and-so denomination.
3) than simply letting Scripture speak for itself?
That’s precisely what I do. That why I’m not a dispensationalist and why I oppose it so vocally. In order to be a dispensationalist I would need to adopt an authority other than the Bible because frankly these “dispensational truths” are not found there.
Like so many of your posts, topcat, the opportunity exists for you to offer something constructive, but instead suppose everybody owes you something.
Your responding post insisted you already knew everything about the Hypostatic Union and not once have you offered anything constructive in comprehending its meaning other than claiming you are an expert to judge everybody else.
Before one can learn, one must exercise some humility. You’ve tipped your hand by first pretending you didn’t know anything about the Hypostatic Union, then claimed you know it all. Since you know it all, I need not do your homework for you as I previously did.
Just think of all the missed opportunities you had to grow with Him when you had such direct interaction with so many leading brethren, but now resort to attacking them.
BTW, in case you missed it, and you probably did, the reason I posted an article by this particular author is because it was written by the same person that FReeper xzins tried to use against the preterist position. The author just happens to be Reformed and just happens to be in the same denomination as me and some others here who are orthodox (partial) preterists and opposed to dispensationalism.
Also, in case you have never experienced it, Chafer’s denominational affiliation (he was Presbyterian) is often used to suggest dispensationalism is consistent with a totally Reformed worldview. It is not, as all Reformed denominations have attested in one way or another.
Hmmm, you subtly accuse me of being out of fellowship with God because I'm not a dispensationalist ("might simply return to God through faith in Christ"), and now I'm supposed to be "constructive”?
And your first post back at #23 starts off with this highly debatable comment, “and still nobody has been able to disprove Scripture as interpreted from the view point of dispensational ages.”
How is that being constructive?
This is rich. Methinks someone has a log in their eye.
Your responding post insisted you already knew everything about the Hypostatic Union and not once have you offered anything constructive in comprehending its meaning other than claiming you are an expert to judge everybody else.
I still have no clue how the doctrine applied to the subject we were discussing, and you never answered by question about how it applied. Is that being “constructive”?
Before one can learn, one must exercise some humility. You’ve tipped your hand by first pretending you didn’t know anything about the Hypostatic Union, …
I never pretended anything. And you never answered my question. Are you too proud to do so?
I'll accept your honest answer anytime. And I'm quite prepared to discuss the merits and deficiencies of dispensationalism. You know where I can be found.
Yes,..but I don't visit Purgatory that often...;^)
About your question...
Seems to me any belief in a “rapture” (pre or post) is not correct according to scriptures.
I think the change (from mortality to immortality) will take place as the Word contained in the 7th trumpet is revealed at His coming.
Then we shall all be changed into the same glory of those who are returning with the Lord Jesus (see also the Epistle of Jude...ten thousands coming back with the Lord).
But until that all takes place, no one will be leaving the earth except through the regular way of dying a natural death.
In other words, there is no rapture at all to take you away from earth. You will either die a natural death, or if you are still alive at His coming, you will be changed by putting on the immortal, spiritual body then.
There won’t be people physically flying off the earth up into the atmosphere. We will just be changed.
Through studying all the end time scriptures (and not just one scripture in I Thessolonians chapter 4), I think the scriptures present this view of His coming.
...or should I say at least something close to God’s view. For now we all definitely see only “through a glass darkly.” I sure don’t claim to have all the answers or anywhere near close to it!
After the third chapter of Revelation, the word “Church” does not occur again. Another indicator that the Church is removed from earth by the Rapture with the close of the third chapter and a promise within, “I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”(Rev 3:10)
Just because the word church doesn’t occur again does not mean God’s people have flown off into the atmosphere.
And the promise to “keep thee from the hour of temptation” would definitely mean to be kept, preserved, protected during that time of trial.
As Jesus prayed in John 17, that the Father would keep His children....that they would NOT be taken out of the world, but that they would be kept from the evil one.
Jesus said His coming would be as the days of Noah and as the days of Lot. In both instances, Noah, Lot, and families were kept from the judgment and destruction that came upon the earth. But they were still on the earth...were not taken out of the earth or fly off into the atmosphere.
When do you place the 2nd advent? After the tribulation of that day? Where do the 10,000 come from with Christ? Are they pre Christ saints like Abraham and such? Or are they those born of water and spirit?
No need to jump to conclusions.
Caught up in the air? yes. Perhaps air, perhaps pneuma as in spirit.
John 17:15 also indicates that through faith in Christ, once the Church has been completely formed, He had faith his Church would not suffer PONEROS or evil that is good for nothingness or calamitous.
I understand how many people might be influenced by human good, mistaking a worldly system of human good for a heavenly kingdom on earth, especially when they happen to win in this world. One of the most powerful drugs to the human psyche is success at endeavors of the volition and is remarkably used by the Adversary to parlay human good works into his policy of evil. There are many in the Church who backslide into worldly systems of success, rightly thinking they are performing good works, but failing to discern between human good and Divine good.
Such lack of discernment of human good from Divine good points directly to why this present worldly system will fail.
I also can understand why some post or a millenialists might think Christ is heaven is sufficient with our continueing sanctification here to win over the whole world to Him, but I do not have such faith in the world as I have in Him as I find the world to not be as trustworthy (/gross understatement).
When the Restrainer is removed, there is nothing which the Church might perform here for Divine Good.
The angelic domain indubitably watch the efforts of man to prolong this world and delay His 2nd Advent. Every knee will bow and his enemies will be made his footstool. At the bema seat, I suspect you might be given opportunity to further understand why ages have been appointed, although it also exists now, whereas later no reward is handed out to those who reject it.
True for us all.
"For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. "
But I suppose that is your way of saying you are not going to answer any questions.
Pity.
The Greek word is air not pneuma.
Nice try.
No event short of Christ's Second ComingTM
And where will this Second ComingTM occur?
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air:(AER) and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
You are correct.
Interesting,..I had previously read the verse (in studying the Rapture), thinking it meant a physical property and had been surprised to discover it used the word PNEUMA when I read the Greek, which I understood to be interpreted as air but might be interpreted as spirit in further study. I’m going back through my notes now to try to figure out what verse I must be confusing it with,...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.