Dispensationalism and 7 dispensations.

[Carbon]

Dispensationalism and 7 dispensations.

Maybe the dispensationalist here can help answer a few questions?

As you may or may not know, the New Scofield Bible divides biblical history into seven distinct dispensations.
The definition of dispensation found in the bible is as follows: "A period of time during which man is tested in respect to his obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God."

The editors of the New Scofield Bible do insist that in each dispensation, there is only one basis for salvation. That is, through the work of Christ accomplished on the cross, vindicated in his resurrection. The editors also state that the differences between the dispensations do not concern the way of salvation. Okay so far.

It is true that man in every dispensation needs to be saved by grace, doesn't this imply that man in every dispensation is utterly unable to obey God's will perfectly and thus to save himself through his own efforts?

Why then, does man need to be tested anew in every dispensation (according to the definition of dispensation quoted above)? Wasn't man tested by God in the beginning in the Garden of Eden? Did he not fail that test? And is it not for that reason that salvation through grace is now his only hope?

So, question,
Instead of needing to be repeatedly retested, as dispensationalism implies, does man not rather need to be shown in every era of his existence how he can be delivered from his spiritual impotence and saved by grace?

 

[Carbon]

So, question,
Instead of needing to be repeatedly retested, as dispensationalism implies, does man not rather need to be shown in every era of his existence how he can be delivered from his spiritual impotence and saved by grace?

What we do find in the bible immediately after the fall, God came to Adam with the promise of a Redeemer through whom he could be saved.
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Gen 3:15.

This promise of redemption through the seed of the woman now becomes the theme of the entire history of redemption, from Genesis to Revelation. The central content of scripture is the revelation of the way of salvation through Jesus Christ to man in all the various periods of his existence. Despite differences in administration, there is only one covenant of grace which God makes with His people.

The OT deals with the period of shadows and types, and the NT describes the period of fulfillment, but the covenant of grace in these eras is one.

 

[Josheb]

Point of clarification, if I may...

It is true that man in every dispensation needs to be saved by grace, doesn't this imply that man in every dispensation is utterly unable to obey God's will perfectly and thus to save himself through his own efforts [by a standard in each dispensation that has absolutely nothing to do with the only measure by which anyone can ever be saved]?

Carry on .

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

Dispensationalism and 7 dispensations.

Maybe the dispensationalist here can help answer a few questions?

As you may or may not know, the New Scofield Bible divides biblical history into seven distinct dispensations.
The definition of dispensation found in the bible is as follows: "A period of time during which man is tested in respect to his obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God."

The editors of the New Scofield Bible do insist that in each dispensation, there is only one basis for salvation. That is, through the work of Christ accomplished on the cross, vindicated in his resurrection. The editors also state that the differences between the dispensations do not concern the way of salvation. Okay so far.

It is true that man in every dispensation needs to be saved by grace, doesn't this imply that man in every dispensation is utterly unable to obey God's will perfectly and thus to save himself through his own efforts?

Why then, does man need to be tested anew in every dispensation (according to the definition of dispensation quoted above)? Wasn't man tested by God in the beginning in the Garden of Eden? Did he not fail that test? And is it not for that reason that salvation through grace is now his only hope?

So, question,
Instead of needing to be repeatedly retested, as dispensationalism implies, does man not rather need to be shown in every era of his existence how he can be delivered from his spiritual impotence and saved by grace?

As a dispensationalism I do not hold that defenition of testing

I hold it as god had different ways in which he related to mankind in this earth

It would be different before the fall in the garden in the age of innocence. Then after the fall.

It was different between the time of Adam and after the flood

It was different than than when Gid gave the law to Moses

And it is different yet today.

Think of a historical outline. Each main point includes sub points

To Me this is all dispensation is in history trying to outline history in a way that makes it easier to see the differences in each period. Nothing more

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

What we do find in the bible immediately after the fall, God came to Adam with the promise of a Redeemer through whom he could be saved.
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Gen 3:15.

This promise of redemption through the seed of the woman now becomes the theme of the entire history of redemption, from Genesis to Revelation. The central content of scripture is the revelation of the way of salvation through Jesus Christ to man in all the various periods of his existence. Despite differences in administration, there is only one covenant of grace which God makes with His people.

The OT deals with the period of shadows and types, and the NT describes the period of fulfillment, but the covenant of grace in these eras is one.

Yes salvation has always been of grace through faith.

 

[Carbon]

As a dispensationalism I do not hold that defenition of testing

I hold it as god had different ways in which he related to mankind in this earth

It would be different before the fall in the garden in the age of innocence. Then after the fall.

It was different between the time of Adam and after the flood

It was different than than when Gid gave the law to Moses

And it is different yet today.

Think of a historical outline. Each main point includes sub points

To Me this is all dispensation is in history trying to outline history in a way that makes it easier to see the differences in each period. Nothing more

Maybe you're not a true Dispensationalist? If you do a study, you may find yourself disagreeing with a lot?

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

Maybe you're not a true Dispensationalist? If you do a study, you may find yourself disagreeing with a lot?

Its like with anything. Just because someone says they believe we are saved by grace and no works. does not mean they all believe the same..

I know for a fact there are views of dispensational teaching I reject outright. mainly the one that says OT saints were saved by law and during the tribulation they will be saved by law again. I believe the gospel has always been by Grace not works..

I guess its the same with any belief. there will be different people who believe different things.. if you have questions concerning what different people teach feel free. I love to discuss the word