wmfights,
Dispensationalism does not teach two paths to salvation. there has only been one path of salvation all along. Salvation by grace through faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The Old Testament saints did not have every piece of the puzzle as it was progressively revealed; yet, they still looked for a Savior to come. When the fulness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a virgin for the forgiveness of sins. Those who trust in Him in this generation are saved just as those who trusted in Him alone (not works) in prior dispensations. In the future, a large remnant out of national Israel will be saved. They aren’t saved at this moment. But their names were written in the Lamb’s book of life before the foundation of the world. They too will be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Messiah. They will have understanding as to what He has done for them when they look upon Him whom they pierced and they will mourn.
I know of no mainstream dispensationalist that teaches two ways of salvation. Even Hagee, whom I disagree with on certain important things, still says that the Jews are only saved by explicit faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Even he says that there aren’t two ways for salvation, one for the Gentiles and one for the Jews.
Where the charge gets laid at our feet is in some of the sloppily written comments by early dispensationalists. When we pull out quotes that seem to teach that this wasn’t want they meant, the quotes are ignored because the straw man is just too attractive to give up. If these men truly taught two ways (And I don’t believe that’s what they really meant having read more than just cherry-picked quotes from them), then they were wrong; and most folks would say they were wrong.
Dispensationalism is a biblical doctrine that shows how God dealt with people (not salvifically, but revelationally) through the ages. During this dispensation, He is primarily revealing Himself to gentiles. There will be a time where this revelatory period is over and then He will pour out His Spirit on the Jews, whom He has drawn from the 4 corners of the earth. And “all Israel” will be saved.
You note that people shouldn’t get bent out of shape about looking at history through periods. But they do. And their attitude towards it is just as was stated above. They believe that it is EVIL and treat us as if we are evil for believing it. It is very sad.
Well put.
Thx.
Well Said —
B: it's always good to see your thoughts. I am in complete agreement with you about salvation.
I included you with ftd because he and I have been going back and forth on this. He has stated that the criteria for the Apostles was different than for Christians following the resurrection. Also, on this thread a chart was posted that on the bottom stated different criteria for salvation during different dispensations.
If dispensationalism does not hold to theories of various criteria than it would seem the only basis for criticism would be the belief that God is not done with the Jews.
Amen. Rom.9-11.