According to influential author Charles Ryrie, whose views are perhaps the most representative of popular Dispensationalism, there are three �sine qua non,� (i.e. non-negotiables) of what constitutes Dispensationalism: a doxological view of history (i.e., with the ultimate purpose of glorifying God), a literal hermeneutic (i.e. method of interpreting the bible), and an ongoing distinction between the two peoples of God, Israel and the Church. A doxological purpose for all of history is certainly not unique to Dispensationalism, however, and is affirmed by many non-Dispensational theologians; so the question of whether or not Dispensationalism is biblical must hinge on what the bible says about the latter two points: its �literal� way of understanding the bible, particularly as it relates to Old Testament prophecies; and its insistence on two peoples of God.
Fortunately, the biblical evidence is not lacking for either of these questions: Dispensationalism teaches that all the promises made to Israel in the Old Testament must be fulfilled to ethnic Israel, in a literal way, that is, in a way that mandates the continuation of all the Old Testament types, regardless of whether or not the anti-types, or ultimate fulfillment of those types have come: for example, the physical land of Palestine must belong by divine right to the ethnic Jews, who will one day possess all its geographical borders in fulfillment of the prophecy of Israel's restoration. However, the bible explicitly declares that all those prophecies have already been fulfilled in the coming of Christ, and are for all who believe in Christ; the land promise made to Abraham is now too great to be fulfilled in the Middle East alone, and so Romans 4:13 says that he was promised to inherit the whole world; and his offspring who inherit it with him are not just believing ethnic Jews, but also his Gentile children by faith (Romans 4:11-17); in fact, all the promises made to Abraham (and to every Old Testament saint) were ultimately fulfilled in Christ, the true Seed of Abraham (2 Cor. 1:20; Gal. 3:16), and so they belong to all who are in Christ, and therefore a part of Abraham's seed (Gal.3:26-29). Further examples of how the New Testament interprets prophecies made to Israel, showing beyond doubt that they are now being fulfilled in the Church, include Acts 15:14-17; Hebrews 8; 10:14-18.
The second �sine qua non� of Dispensationalism, that there is an ongoing distinction between Israel and the Church, is likewise argued against throughout the New Testament, even as was anticipated in the Old Testament. To cite one of many possible examples, in Isaiah 66:18-24, the prophet looks ahead to a time when God would choose people from every nation, and make them his true priests and Levites; and in the New Testament, we find proof that this time has come. The New Testament passages that indicate that Christians are true Jews (some of them very explicitly) include these: Romans 2:28-29; 4:11-17; 9:6-8; Galatians 3:6-9, 26-29; 4:21-31; 6:16; Ephesians 2:11-22; 3:6; Phil. 3:3; 1 Pet. 2:9-10; Rev. 2:9. So then, these �sine qua non� of Dispensationalism prove to be utterly unbiblical and are explicitly argued against in the scriptures.
Historically, Dispensationalism is the creation of Jesuit Priests and was created in order to show that the Papacy is not the Anti-Christ as was being taught by Martin Luther and others involved in the reformation. Since it did not come into being until the 16th century it can hardly be considered Biblical.
Even though it was many centuries later, Schofield's notes in the Bible made it extremely popular and it became mainstream even though in earlier centuries those who taught it were considered heretics and thrown out of churches. Today it is an accepted teaching even though one would have to have a very vivid imagination or be incredibly misguided and gullible to believe it.
As some of you know, I prefer to call it dispensensationalism.
First of all there is no where in the Bible wherein Paul teaches dispensaation as a doctrine, as man has of his own accord made the word into a doctrine.
Dispensation is a time set for the administration or giving out or a release from an obligation, within a period of time set by God that is based on a conditional test to determine if people will be faithful to God and His conditions.... God set time limits in the Bible to administer His plans and objectives, but dispensation which only means a time set (time limit) IS NOT a doctrine taught nowhere by Paul in the Bible.
Paul uses the word dispensation in Ephesians chapter 3, as I have posted in the Bible Study Class 102 in Ephesians Chapter 3 verses 1- 3.
If you have heard of the DISPENSATION (administering) of the grace of God which is given me toward you. Then Paul explains, which Paul is only speaking about God administered to him grace and was asking if the Ephesian church had heard about hs conversion.
Dispensation is not a Biblical doctrine, its a man made doctrine...which has nothing to do with God and His word. man has taken so much of the scriptures and made up their own doctrines, because they really don't spiritually undertsand the spiritual insights of God's revealing. That's why they interpret scripture to suit their own thoughts, and have not depended upon the Holy Spirit to reveal God's thoughts through His word to them for spiritual understanding and knowledge..
When man interprets God's word there are disputes, when man depends upon the Holy Spirit to reveal God's words there is unity of the Spirit in the Christian community, because the Spirit of the Lord is not going to tell one person one thing and another person something different... that would make God a confused liar.
For one, Liberal theology was everywhere, and REAL Christians were looking for someone to tell them Jesus was really going to return. There was a kind of vacuum. And When Scofield's study bible came out, it was just sucked into that vacuum.
Now, we have Van Impe-Hal Lyndsey-left behind books- and most of the radio preachers who ALL believe in dispensationalism, and NONE of them ever bother to mention that their view is only one view, and that there are several others.
Not only that, the majority of the church has been what we now call Amillenialist. And they don't ever mention that either.
And like all doctrinal beliefs, they have effects.
Notice all the dispensationalists and how they look at the modern day nation of Israel. They separate God's chosen people into two groups.
