Dispensational Theology (A Brief History)

Dispensational Theology (A Brief History)
By Michael Houke.

Foundations of Dispensationalism

Ancient Developments

1. Justin Martyr: AD 110-165 
Held the essence of dispensationalism in his recognition of differing economics in the O.T.

2. Irenaus: AD 130-200
Refers to four principal covenants given to the human race, particulary drawing a distinction between three covenants of the O.T. and the Gospels. This distinction is typical dispensationalism.

3. Clement: AD 150-220 
Identified four dispensations: Adamic, Nohaic, Abrahamic, and Mosaic. 

4. Augustine: AD 354-430
Recognized that worshipers approach God in a different manner in different ages.

Modern Developments:

5. Pierre Poiret 1646-1719
Presented a seven-fold Dispensational scheme as follows:
1. Infancy- to deluge
2. Childhood- to Moses
3. Adolesence- to the prophets
4. Youth- to the coming of christ
5. Manhood- early part of Christianity
6. Old Age- latter part of Chritianity
7. Renovation of all things- the millennium
Thus he recognizes differing dispensations culminating in a literal thousand year period. 
Jonathan Edwards: 1646-1719
Published 2 vol. - entitled "A Complete History or Survey of All the Dispensations"
He outlines dispensations as follows:
1. Innocency
2. Sin and Misery
3. Reconciliation
a. Patriarchal economy
1. Adamical
2. Noahical
3. Abrahamic
b. Mosaical economy
c. Gentile Economy
d. Christian Economy
1. Infancy
2. childhood
3. manhood
4. old age.

Isaac Watts 1674-1748
Recognized the dispensations as conditional ages wherin God had certain expectations of men and made conditional promises and prohibitions to them. Watts outline:

1. Dispensation of Innocency
2. Adamic Dispensation
3. Noahic Dispensation
4. Abrahamic Dispensation
5. Mosaic Dispensation
6. Christian Dispensation

Others who espoused Dispensationalism in Modern Times.

John Nelson Darby: 1800-1882
C.I. Schofield: !843- 1921.

Recent Times:

Thomas Ice
Ron Rhodes
Norman Geisler
John MacArthur
Charles Ryrie
John Walvoord
John Ankerberg
William Lane Craig
Dave Hunt
Randall Price
Charles Stanley
Paul Salus
Mark Hitchcock
Renald Showers
Robert L. Thomas
David Reagen
Terry James
Dwight Pentecost
Lewis Sperry Chafer
Tim LaHaye
Edward Hinson
Davis Jeremiah
Adrian Rogers
Paul Benware
Hal Lindsey
Grant Jeffrey
T.A. McMahon
Joel Rosenberg
And Many others.

Dispensational theology teaches that there are two distinct peoples of God: Israel and the church. Dispensationalists believe that salvation has always been by faith in God in the Old Testament and specifically in God the Son in the New Testament. Dispensationalists hold that the church has not replaced Israel in God’s program and the Old Testament promises to Israel have not been transferred to the church. They believe that the promises God made to Israel (for land, many descendants, and blessings) in the Old Testament will be ultimately fulfilled in the 1000-year period spoken of in Revelation chapter 20. Dispensationalists believe that just as God is in this age focusing His attention on the church, He will again in the future focus His attention on Israel (Romans 9-11).

Using this system as a basis, dispensationalists understand the Bible to be organized into seven dispensations: Innocence), conscience, human government, promise, law, grace, and the millennial kingdom. Again, these dispensations are not paths to salvation, but manners in which God relates to man. Dispensationalism, as a system, results in a premillennial interpretation of Christ’s second coming and usually a pre-tribulational interpretation of the rapture. To summarize, dispensationalism is a theological system that emphasizes the literal interpretation of Bible prophecy, recognizes a clear distinction between Israel and the church, and organizes the Bible into the different dispensations it presents.

Sources used:

1. Basic Theology by Charles Ryrie
2. Dispensationalism Today: By Charles Ryrie
3. The Basis For the Premillenial Faith: Charles Ryrie
4. The Moody Hand book of Theology: by Paul Enns
5. Concise Bible Doctrines: by Elmer Towns
6. A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs: by David W. Bercot
7. The Popular Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics: Edward Caner and Ed Hinson
8. Systematic Theology: by Norman Geisler.

God Bless every Saint, past present and future!

Glory Be to The Lord !!!!