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Gods PlanThree ViewsClassical Dispensationalism

Covenant Theology

Progressive Dispensationalism

DispensationalismSummary

Dispensationalism is an approach to biblical interpretation which states thatGoduses different means of working with people (Israeland theChurch) during different periods of history.

Usually SEVEN chronologically successive periods.Definition-Defining the use of the word theologically, the Oxford English Dictionary says that a dispensation is the following:

a stage in a progressive revelation, expressly adapted to the needs of a particular nation or period of time.Also, the age or period during which a system has prevailed.4Characterisitics of DispensationalismThe basic characteristics of whatdistinguishes a Dispensationalist fromall others:

-Consistent use of a normative interpretation of Scripture

5Normative Interpretation-Fundamental and unique is the belief that we consistently seek to give each word the same meaning it would have in its normal usage.

-Also known as plain interpretation because it recognizes symbols, figures of speech, types, etc., as normal literary tools that are used to clarify or emphasize thoughts and ideas.

6Normative Interpretation-Literal, plain, or normative interpretation results in accepting the text of Scripture as its face value.

-The text taken at face value leads one to recognize the distinctions in the progress of divine revelation whereby God uses different economies or dispensations in the outworking of His program.7Characterisitics of DispensationalismThe basic characteristics of what distinguishes aDispensationalist from all others:-Consistent use of a normative interpretation of Scripture-Distinction between Israel and the Church8Distinction between Israel and the ChurchThe church is seen as distinct from Israel for twofundamental reasons:

Its character: In O.T. God was dealing primarily with the nation of Israel, which consisted of the descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob. On the other hand the church consists of believing Jews and Gentiles baptized into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:14) and indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

9Distinction between Israel and the ChurchIts time:

The church age began after the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:20-22), and His ascension (Eph. 4:7-12). Believers of this age are baptized into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13)The church age began with the baptizing ministry of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2; 11:15-16). 10Distinction between Israel and the ChurchIts time (Cont):- The church is a mystery that was not revealed to past generations (Eph. 3:3-5, 9; Col. 1:26-7). This mystery, now revealed, includes the uniting of Jewish and Gentile believers in one spiritual body, Christ indwelling believers, and the future rapture of the unified body (1 Cor. 15:50-58).

11Characterisitics of DispensationalismThe basic characteristics of what distinguishes aDispensationalist from all others:-Consistent use of a normative interpretation of Scripture-Distinction between Israel and the Church-Gods overall purpose is to glorify Himself.

12Gods purpose is His Glory!- Gods ultimate purpose for the ages is to glorify Himself. Scripture is not human-centered, as though salvation were the principle point, but God-centered, because His glory is at the center.

- The glory of God is the primary principle that unifies all dispensations, the program of salvation being just one of the means by which God glorifies Himself.

-Each successive revelation of Gods plan for the ages, as well as His dealing with the elect, non-elect, angels, and nations all manifest His glory.13Dispensational DivisionsIn the traditional, normative dispensational scheme, each dispensation begins with:(1) a responsibility for man by God, and ends with:

(2) failure by man and a period of divine judgment. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, yet dispensational theology tends to emphasize the diversity of ways in which God works with humanity14Dispensations1. Dispensation of Innocence (Genesis 1 -3) Adam and Eve before they sinned

Dispensational DivisionsDispensation of Innocence: Genesis 1:28-3:6

Adam was the key person and his responsibilities involved the upkeep of the garden and not eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As a result of failing the eating test came far-reaching judgments on him, his wife, all of humanity, the serpent, and the entire creation. 16Dispensations1. Dispensation of Innocence (Genesis 1 -3) - Adam and Eve before they sinned

2. Dispensation of Conscience (Genesis 3-8) - First sin to the flood

Dispensational DivisionsDispensation of Conscience (Gen. 4:1-8:14):

The conscience is whereby God chose to govern people. In other words, human responsibility was to be obedient to the dictates of their consciences. During this period there was murder (Gen. 4:8), unnatural affection (Gen. 6:2),and widespread evil desire and purpose of heart (Gen. 6:5). God closed this period with the universal flood. God spared Noah, his wife, his sons, and their wives by grace (Gen. 6:8). 18Dispensations1. Innocence (Genesis 1 -3) - Adam and Eve before they sinned

2. Conscience (Genesis 3-8) - First sin to the flood

3. Dispensation of Civil Government (Genesis 9-11) - After the flood, governmentDispensational DivisionsDispensation of Civil Government (Gen. 8:15-11:9):

This period began after the Flood and included the animals fear of people, animals given to people to eat, the promise of no more flood, and the institution of capital punishment. God gave people the right to take human life which established the right to govern others. From the beginning people failed this test when Noah became drunk with wine and thus was incapable of ruling. This period ended with the tower of Babel.20Dispensations1. Innocence (Genesis 1 -3) - Adam and Eve before they sinned

2. Conscience (Genesis 3-8) - First sin to the flood

3. Dispensation of Civil Government (Genesis 9-11) - After the flood, government

4. Promise (Genesis 12-Ex. 19) - Abraham to Moses, the Law is given

Dispensational DivisionsDispensation of Patriarchal Rule or Promise (Genesis 11:10-Exodus 18:27):

During this period God chose one family and one nation which He used as a representative test of all. Until this dispensation all humanity had been directly linked to Gods governing principles. The patriarchal obligation was to believe and serve God, and God provided many material and spiritual provisions. A specific land was promised and blessing as long as the Israelites stayed in that land. The nations failure ended in slavery in Egypt. 22Dispensations5.Law (Exodus 20 -Acts 2:4) - Moses to the cross

Dispensational DivisionsDispensation of Mosaic Law (Exodus 19:1-Acts 1:26):

The people were responsible to do all the law (James 2:10) but they failed (Rom. 10:1-3). Failure brought judgments: the ten tribes were carried into Assyrian captivity, the two tribes to Babylon captivity, and they were ultimately scattered throughout the world (Matt. 23:37-39) because of their rejection of Jesus Christ. 24Dispensations5.Law (Exodus 20 -Acts 2:4) - Moses to the cross

6. Grace (Acts 2:4-Revelation 20:3) Cross to the millennial kingdom

Dispensational DivisionsDispensation of the Church (Acts 2:1 Revelation 19:21):

Human responsibility is to accept the gift of righteousness which is freely offered by God to all (Rom. 5:15-18)- both Jews and Gentiles. No longer does God deal with just one nation but to anyone who believes. This dispensation will end with the second coming of Jesus Christ.26Dispensations5.Law (Exodus 20 -Acts 2:4) - Moses to the cross

6.Grace (Acts 2:4-Revelation 20:3) Cross to the millennial kingdom

7.Millennial Kingdom (Rev 20:4-6) The rule of Christ on earth in the millennial kingdom

Dispensational DivisionsDispensation of the Millennium (Rev. 20:1-15)After the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the millennial kingdom will be established in fulfillment of the biblical, unconditional covenants of the Old Testament (Abrahamic, Davidic, Land, and New Covenant). The Lord Jesus will rule from Jerusalem on Davids throne and His government will last for one thousand years, and human responsibility will be obedience to the King and His Laws. Satan will be bound, Christ will rule, righteousness will predominate, and obvious disobedience will be dealt with swiftly. This period ends with an unsuccessful rebellion against Christs government. This results in those rebels being cast into eternal punishment. 28Famous Classical DispensationalistsJohn Darby

Cyrus Scofield (earlier in life)

D. L. Moody

Charles Ryrie

Billy Graham

Chuck SwindollCovenant TheologyDefinitionA covenant is an agreement between two or more parties.These covenants can be conditional or unconditionalAlways contain consequences for adhering or not to the agreementUsually contain a sign representing the covenantCovenant of Grace-God promises eternal salvation to Man based upon the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. This is called a Covenant of Grace because it is initiated by God, due to no part and worthiness of man, and is unmerited favor received from God.

Covenant of Grace-Progressively disclosed. -It began in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned and God promised a redeemer (Gen. 3:15), to Abraham the promise to bless the nations (Gen. 12:2-3), the covenant of the Ten Commandments given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28), and believers in the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-37) which is fulfilled in Christ (1 Cor. 11:25).

Fundamentals-The covenant of grace explains the unity of redemption through all the ages beginning with the Fall - it is worked out in history.

-God has one people, the Church, for whom he has one plan in all the ages since Adam - to call out this people into one body in both the Old and New Testament ages.

-The plan of salvation is one of grace, being an outworking of the eternal covenant of grace and comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

Fundamentals-Covenant Theology show the relationship of all parts of the Old Testament to the person and work of Jesus Christ, and by extension, the Christian.

-Enables us to map out the unity of the Bible by looking at its message as a whole.

-Provides the basis for the interpretation of any part of the Bible as Gods word to us.Covenants of God-Not successive replacements

-Interrelated supplements

-Each expands upon the last, strengthening the previous oneBiblical CovenantsEdenic (Gen 1:28-30; 2:15-17; Hosea 6:17)

Adamic- (Gen 3:14-19)

Noahic- (Gen 9:1-17)

Abrahamic- (1Gen 2:1-3; 12:7; 13:14-17)

Mosaic- (Much of Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy)

Davidic- (2 Sam 7:8-18)

New- (Jer. 31:31-37; 1 Cor. 11:25)Famous CovenentalistsJean Calvin

Charles Hodge

B. B. Warfield

R. C. Sproul

J. I. Packer

John PiperWhat are we at GBC?We tend to take a middle of the road view.

This view is called Progressive Dispensationalism

Progressive DispensationalismIsrael and the Church are both the people of God

It relies more on covenantal interpretations

Some Old Testament promises expanded to include the Church

There are still distinctions between Israel and the Church

Israel is still Gods chosen people with a plan from God

Pre-trib rapture is generally held, but not necessary

Summary