Dispensationism – Biblical or not

Dispensationism - Biblical or not?

It is very easy for scholars and lesser scholars, so called � students, to worship scholarship.

We would do well noting and avoiding worshipping Dispensationism as the Truth, The Word of God.

Larkin and Scofield are two prominent persons that have helped clarify dispensationalist thought. In my estimation, separating dispensationalist thought from Christian doctrine would be leaving a hole in Christian doctrine. Dispensationalist doctrine is Christian doctrine. Unfortunately some have gone to far with one part and not far enough with another, or have added extra non-biblical doctrine and so have distorted the doctrine.

Some advance that there is three dispensations, others say seven, and many do not agree as to what the dispensational periods might be. If one first works on the notion that dispensationalist doctrine is the method or scheme according to which God carries out his purposes towards men, then the various ways God has dealt with man through different ages starts to show itself. Here is the URL to my web page that explains a little about dispensationalist th0ught. Also, on down this page there are a few notes that I hope will be helpful in explaining dispensationalist thought.

http://www.bright.net/~bkrajcik/dispensation.htm

D.Lim: No agreement upon scheme for Christians to claim it is Biblical or from God.

The OT and the NT are intermingled, as the 3 in 1 God and Christ(The Angel of God) appeared in both OT and NT. King David prophesied on Christ in the OT and administered to the Son. There is continuity and not periods of unrelated grace, revelation, and merit.

There are also periods within period (eg: Judges) but not plans within plan. If there are just a few main periods, who then decided upon them? God certainly has not stated this in the Word as we cannot find even one sentence telling us that. See the quotation below for word discussion and you can see yourselves that such line of revelation is not readily and clearly stated. We are searching for meaning of a word in different narration/stories, and not reading the clear teaching of Dispensationism.

Dispensationalist Doctrine

Ephesians 1:11

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

D.Lim: In the very openning of Scripture reference and remark, we can see that the author could not recall any verse or sentence telling us clearly and straightly the teaching of Dispensationism in Scriptures. It is a line suitable for all believers, an inheritance for all through predestination. No time scale of periods. No main periods such as OT and NT. No borders by the administration of Biblical heros and kingdoms.

D.Lim: It is all decided by the Almighty. Too wonderful for mankind to understand it all. We have to live by faith/trust. This is the base of our happiness.

A dispensation is a plan that has a series of arrangements, i.e., administration, therefore a dispensation is a plan according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. As Easton says it, "The method or scheme according to which God carries out his purposes towards men is called a dispensation." That simple definition, "The method or scheme according to which God carries out his purposes towards men is called a dispensation" helps clear up thought on the doctrine. Any would admit that God has a plan, and the plan is simply put, dispensationalist doctrine. From the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, "to manage, regulate, administer, and plan the affairs of a household." The ISBE says the following: a stewardship, the management or disposition of affairs intrusted to one. Thus 1 Cor 9:17, the King James Version "A dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me."

D.Lim: A position committed is not an ISM, an ideology. It is action for all believers.

There are those that think God has worked all things after the counsel of his own will regardless if men have been aware of the plan, or obedient to God�s revealed will, and others that reject dispensationalist thought instead claiming there have been men that have kept covenant with God, i.e., have been obedient to carry out God�s will. Nelson�s Illustrated Bible Dictionary gives this insight: "Many Bible students believe all of history can be divided into several dispensations. According to this view, all of history has been pointing toward the SECOND COMING of Christ, when salvation will be made complete. Others reject this view, insisting that God has had faithful, loyal followers in all times who have lived according to His COVENANT with them."

D.Lim: Several dispensations would imply several commissions. In fact, all mankind live by faith in Christ Jesus through time. What many Bible students believe in does not make any fact or truth. It is just a statistical finding. There are more unbelievers than believers. No one is given the idea that unbelievers are better than believers and more pleasing to God by the statistical finding. No revelation shows that. We need to be careful to centre our views in Christ and not in numbers. Counting and trusting in numbers become a sin. We have many who keep counting instead of living by faith.

Enoch was saved at his time in the OT. Elijah was saved at his time in the OT. King David relied on the coming Christ in his time. Their administration did not fail them even that they lived earlier than the resurrection and ascension of Christ.

In the Book of Revelation, such as the letters to the 7 churches, we see that history repeats itself through many centuries. Churches the letters are speaking to existed in many parts of time. We have overlapping of dispensations. Things are not dry and clearcut.

We must not worship Dispensationism as the Word of God.

Myself, I hold to dispensationalist thought, and qualify that by saying not all agree on these things and that dispensationalist thought means different things to different people.

D.Lim: The importance as Paul expressed it in the Word of God, is the signs and fruits produced by the effect of Christ dying and saving through the cross. This is what we ought to desire to know. Not any ISM away from this.

I see God as working all things according to the counsel of his own will. Men are recipients of grace and have not of themselves merited salvation. Perhaps a problem some have with dispensationalist thought is that they have not seen the definition of the words and have merely repeated what others that likewise have not understood have said, or perhaps they have used different definitions making the words mean different things.

D.Lim: It is easy for the effects of sin to appear as cures of trouble.

I reject the notion that some advance, whereby as some say, if one were smart enough they would hold the right view. Such thought fosters merit mongering and does injury to sound Christian thought.

D.Lim: Here we see rejection from a dispensationist. Here we see the anti-charismatic scholars and believers relying on their own intellect with no revelation from the Spirit.

These verses use the Greek word oikonomia Strong�s #NT:3622 translated as dispensation, steward or stewardship.

Luke 16:2-4

2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship [oikonomia]; for thou mayest be no longer steward [okonomeo Strong�s # NT:3521].

3 Then the steward [oikonomos Strong�s #NT:3623] said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship [oikonomia]: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

D.Lim: Human post/office can be removed. Only Christ is everlasting.

4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship [oikonomia], they may receive me into their houses.

D.Lim: This steward was still being mentioned after he became ex-steward, with his career removed/changed. Dispensationism does not afford any part for heros and significant figures outside the alleged schemes of Dispensationism.

Luke 16:8

8 And the lord commended the unjust steward [oikonomia], because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

D.Lim: The children of light are not very wise; as to have Dispensationism. All is a matter of Grace. We are saved and secured in God by Grace, lest anyone may boast.

1 Cor 9:17

17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation [oikonomia] of the gospel is committed unto me.

D.Lim: In similar ways, all believers are committed the dispensation/stewardship of the gospel. This is hardly what is taught by any Dispensationism. This speak of the falsehood of Dispensationism, which is very much against the Biblical Truth.

Eph 1:10

10 That in the dispensation [oikonomia] of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

D.Lim: The realisation of the Truth and the whole Plan of God is in Christ Jesus alone. This is not in the solidification of the failings of all human and created figures. Christ is the necessity all the time. There was no chance for any creature to take up His role in any time.

Eph 3:2

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation [oikonomia] of the grace of God which is given me to youward:

D.Lim: All is but the dispensation of the grace of God. God is good and being gracious all the time. All the periods are good in His planning. They unfold as time goes by at His moments.

Col 1:25

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation [oikonomia] of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

D.Lim: The totality and reality is the Word of God, the Full Gospel. They are not periods of their own justification.

Titus 1:7

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward [oikonomia] of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

D.Lim: Each overseer partake in stewardship. This is not just a matter of OT and NT. This is not a matter of periods.

Here are partial definitions from various sources:

Dispensation (Gr. oikonomia, "management," "economy"). (1.) The method or scheme according to which God carries out his purposes towards men is called a dispensation. There are usually reckoned three dispensations, the Patriarchal, the Mosaic or Jewish, and the Christian. (See Covenant, Administration of.) These were so many stages in God's unfolding of his purpose of grace toward men. The word is not found with this meaning in Scripture.

D.Lim: This becomes a designation of major covenants, ignoring smaller covenants of individuals made to God. The meaning of the term has been hijacked or twisted.

(2.) A commission to preach the gospel (1Co 9:17; Eph 1:10; 3:2; Col 1:25).

Dispensations of Providence are providential events which affect men either in the way of mercy or of judgement.

(Easton�s Bible Dictionary)

D.Lim: By this definition, no matter how partial it may be, numerous dispensations would have taken place with the Great Commission to numerous Christians. This partial definition when coupled with full definition ought to include even more dispensations, causing a nonsence of the doctrine.

He is entrusted with an office; he does not preach the Gospel of his own accord; he does what he has to do.

D.Lim: Entrusted by the good God. Not a matter of human failure in not fulfiling what God has set out to achieve in men of His choice.

For if I do this thing willingly introduces a supposition that could never be true of Paul. Thus, in his case there could be no reward for preaching, for he preached by necessity. The clue to Paul's argument is found in the expression, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. A stewardship (AV, dispensation) was a work committed to one under an owner. The steward, therefore, was of the class of slaves (cf. Luke 12:42-43). And a slave received no recompense; he had to work (cf. Luke 17:10). Paul, therefore, had to introduce the idea of preaching without pay. As Moffatt puts it, "His pay was to do it without pay" (op. cit., p. 121). This is the way the apostle gained his reward. Thus, light is regulated by love. 18. To proclaim the gospel of Christ without charge] was his aim and the means of his reward. This, of course, is not a principle to be applied to all preachers of the Gospel. It is the voluntary choice of one who, although having a right to support, was compelled to proclaim the truth through a supernatural vision of the ascended Saviour.

D.Lim: No reward for the dispensation of preaching. Yet much dispensationism is about keeping covenant and yielding/reaping reward. The climax is brought about maximum yield of reward in the achievement of Christ.

Also, stewardship is about slave activities. But faith in Christ can set the righteous free at all ages. The righteous are justified by faith. True for David, Nehimiah, Habakkuk, and all Christians.

Translate, 'If [as is the case: ei (NT:1487) prassoo (NT:4238), indicative] I be doing this spontaneously (without remuneration), I have a reward (1 Cor 9:18); but if not spontaneously (not without remuneration), I have a stewardship intrusted to me,' and so have no special claim to glorying or reward for that which 'necessity is laid on me' to do (Luke 17:10).

(from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)

D.Lim: Luke17v10 speaks of fulfilling commission and not failing a commission leading to a need of a new or another dispensation.

NT:3622 a plan which involves a set of arrangements (referring in the NT to God's plan for bringing salvation to mankind within the course of history) - 'purpose, scheme, plan, arrangement.'

D.Lim: The whole Bible (Full Gospel) is about salvation of mankind; and not about Paradice lose and regain. The best is yet to come. New heaven and earth is yet to appear. Christ built for His bride after the fall and His ascension.

3622. oi)konomi/a oikonomía; gen. Oikonomías , fem. noun from oikonome? (3621), to be a manager of a household. The position, work, responsibility or arrangement of an administration, as of a house or of property, either one's own or another's (Luke 16:2; Sept.: Isa 22:19); a spiritual dispensation, management, or economy (1 Cor 9:17; Eph 1:10; 3:2; Col 1:25). The "dispensation of God" means the administration of divine grace. Act., the administrative activity of the owner or of the steward; pass., that which is administered, the administration or dispensation of the fullness of times (Eph 1:10). The object of oikonomía, dispensation, is the relative phrase hos protithemai of Eph 1:9, translated "which he hath purposed." It is the divine purpose which is said to be administered. The meaning is the administration of God's saving purpose pertaining to the fullness of the times. Therefore, oikonomía here is to be taken as pass. See Eph 3:2,9 (UBS); 1 Tim 1:4 (TR).

D.Lim: The righteous shall live by faith. This is for all time and space.

NT:3622 oikonomia, oikonomias, hee (oikonomeoo), from Xenophon, and Plato down, the management of a household or of household affairs; specifically, the management, oversight, administration, of others' property; the office of a manager or overseer, stewardship Luke 16:2-4; hence, the word is transferred by Paul in a theocratic sense to the office (duty) entrusted to him by God (the Lord and Master) of proclaiming to men the blessings of the gospel, 1 Cor 9:17; hee, oikonomia tou Theou, the office of administrator (stewardship) entrusted by God, Col 1:25.universally, administration, dispensation, which in a theocratic sense is ascribed to God himself as providing for man's salvation: haitines ... hee oikonomian Theou teen en pistei, which furnish matter for disputes rather than the (knowledge of the) dispensation of the things by which God has provided for and prepared salvation, which salvation must be embraced by faith, 1 Tim 1:4, L, T, Tr, WH; heen proetheto ... kairoon, which good will he purposed to show with a view to (that) dispensation (of his) by which the times (namely, of infancy and immaturity compare Gal 4:1-4) were to be fulfilled, Eph 1:9 f; hee oikonomia tees charitos tou Theou tees dotheisees moi, that dispensation (or arrangement) by which the grace of God was granted me, Eph 3:2; hee oikonomia tou musteeriou, the dispensation by which he carried out his secret purpose, Eph 3:9, G, L, T, Tr, WH.

(from Thayer's Greek Lexicon)

D.Lim: Every household from Abraham down managed the house and houses. We certainly have dozens of dispensations/stewardship.

Each apostle and overseer and prophet and seer would then have their own individual stewardship/dispensation. Too many for simple doctrine of just a few periods or covenants.

This tells us the Bible only speaks of 2 major covenants from God. Others are part of them. This is the administration of salvation, one of works for earthly inheritance and one of grace for heavenly inheritance. This is OT and NT.

the management of a household or of household affairs; specifically, the management, oversight, administration, of others' property; the office of a manager or overseer, stewardship: Luke 16:2-4

(from Thayer's Greek Lexicon.)

D.Lim: We have churches of apostasy from age to age even in this end time.

WE are into very fine detail when the stewardship of overseers of individual churches/denominations are accounted for. This also is not part of the Bible.

1 Thessalonians 2:4

4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

D.Lim: When the Gospel is refered to the whole Bible, as Full Gospel means, the whole Law, both OT and NT falls into one administration. Both houses, Jews and Gentiles work together to the Glory of God. This is so at the beginning as it is now.

We have many prophesies of the older serving the younger, but both are to be serving. Jacob did not substitute Esau in all administration of the house of Abraham and Isaac. The Edomites lived in Canaan. And Moabites lived nearby. Ruth was brought into blood-line of Israel when she chose to serve the living God of Israel.

Jacob blessed the younger son of Joseph more, but both houses went with the Exodus and went into the promised land.

We have to pay attention to: "But God". God is our centre of attention. Whoever does not serve Him at any time is brought off-line. It is like a picture of throwing switches. Administration goes in and out in the course of history. It is not a matter of human wisdom, but the grace and providence of God, the faithfullness of men under the works of the Holy Spirit.

It is much more profitable studying the Holy Spirit and His works than any Dispensationalism.

Keep our focus on God!

Little children, watch out for idols!

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KJB John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Bob Krajcik

Bible Study Letters

http://www.bright.net/~bkrajcik/

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D.Lim: We are frequently brought before the thoughts of "words" and "word study" when we are to deal with "system". Our thoughts are twisted to think of inlay truth in the system when all we were entertained with is the study of some words.

Words do not readily make systems. Eg: We read a newspaper not just because it has words; not that we may find words, readable or not. We read newspaper as set out in a compilation, a system of pages with headings layout systematicly in a pile of papers set forth with a trusted name of the producer. People do not buy single sheet of newspaper, daily, and try to piece the piece after attaining it, with other piece/s they may find later on for stories. People are not forced to imput a system of fact discovery upon some single piece of unrelated information at the offset. Yet in our World, there are people who actively force people so to do.

System or not, it is an attack and insult to your intelligence, much more than being normal or helpful.

May the Grace of God increase upon us.