Dispensationalism Vs. Covenant Theology

A. Israel is an earthly people and the church is a heavenly people. God had two peoples.

B. The church is a parenthesis in God's plan and the kingdom of God that was offered to Israel has been postponed on account of the cross.

C. God deals with men according to dispensations.
1. There are seven dispensations (periods of time) in which God deals with men according to a particular
theme or motive.

D. The keeping of the Law was necessary for the salvation of the Jews; where as the church today is saved by grace alone.

E. The Dispensational view historically maintained that there was a difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven.

2. Three types (or phases) of Dispensationalism.

A. Darbyism- Scofieldion Dispensationalism. Followed the early teachings of C.I. Schofield.

B. Revised Dispensationalism- The most dominant form of Dispensationalism.

C. Progressive Dispensationalism- Academic Dispensationalism.

3. Strengths and weaknesses of Dispensationalism.

Strengths

A.. Dispensationalism emphasized the necessity of interpreting the Bible literally.

B. Dispensationalism renewed teaching of the physical, bodily return of Christ.

1. It's not just a spiritual event, but Christ will literally return, bodily to this earth to rule and to reign.

C. Dispensationalism renewed emphasis on prophecy.

D. Dispensationalism placed emphasis on Bible study and Evangelism.

Weaknesses

A. The distinction between Israel and the church is absolutized to the point that it undermines the genius of organic redemptive, historical development.

B. The development of the theory of the postponed kingdom undermines the plan of God in this age. The "Age of Grace" or the "Church Age" often becomes an after thought.

C. The scheme of dispensations is inherently extrinsic to scripture.

D. The literal hermeneutic is often absolutized, so as to oppose the reformation principle of the analogy of faith. Dispensationalism forced literal translation, when spiritual translation was necessary.

4. The significance of the covenant of reformed theology.

A. Consistency- inherently consistent form of theology.

B. Personal relationship- from the beginning of scripture, there is an "I", "you", relationship involved. "I will be your God, and you will be My people."

5. The characteristics of reformed theology.

A. Sovereignty of God- no basis for human experience beyond God's eternal decree.

B. Relationship- there is a relationship between God and His creature. There was a covenant between God and man. Adam broke that covenant, and now we are all covenant breakers, but through Christ it has been restored, so that all who are in Christ may become covenant keepers.

C. Grace- places an emphasis on grace. Those who have received the grace of God are required to respond in faith, hope, and love.

D. Redemption- focuses in on the plan of redemption through the development of the individual covenants. All the internal movement of this unfolding, is based on the data of Scripture.

E. Centrality of the Word of God- centrality is not of preaching, but the word is central in preaching, in praying, in singing, in evangelism. Whatever you do, the Word is central.