The short version
Though there are different flavors of Dispensationalism, they can all generally be summed up with this. Dispensationalism is an approach to studying the Bible that recognizes that God has, throughout history, dispensed to mankind instructions that were in some way different than those previously given. Though we can look back at history and identify time periods, the word dispensation has nothing to do with time. It merely means “an act or instance of dispensing something.” Because the recipient of a given dispensation would be a steward of it, then it is also common to hear words like stewardship, administration, or management when discussing the topic.
The longer version
Dispensationalism is the study of God’s Word within the understanding that multiple dispensations are represented in scripture. The giving of the Law to Israel at Mt. Sinai is a classic example of a dispensation. God dispensed (thus beginning a new dispensation) a set of rules for His chosen nation. Though He had previously given a law of circumcision for Abraham and his descendants, and though sacrifices were performed to some extent, these things were codified at Sinai and made part of an extensive list of laws, obedience to which God demanded. The dispensation of the Law was a significant change from that which was previously required of Israel.
We can identify several dispensations throughout scripture. C.I. Scofield identified seven, defining them chronologically as:
- Innocence (prior to Adam’s fall)
- Conscience (no human government)
- Government (God’s decree that there be human government)
- Patriarchal Rule (Abraham to Moses)
- Mosaic Law (Israel under the Law given at Sinai)
- Grace (the current dispensation of doctrine for the Body of Christ)
- Millenial Kingdom (the age to come)
While I and others would disagree with Scofield’s definitions and applications of some of these, the list does accurately illustrate the point of dispensationalism. One can see that truth in scripture as he recognizes, for example, that there was a time when God intended for mankind to be able to eat freely from the Tree of Life, but Adam’s sin resulted in a change: no more Garden of Eden and no more Tree of Life. The rules changed. Only by recognizing these changes can one truly understand God’s Word as He intended. Failure to do so can lead to serious problems in Bible study and in life. If, for example, one does not recognize that God gave His law to Israel, specifically, then he may wrongly apply it to himself and live under constant self-condemnation as he attempts to live up to an impossible standard.
Paul teaches us to “be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15). Dispensationalists attempt to do just that: rightly divide the word of truth. A major mistake many make is to assume that the Bible has two divisions: Old Testament and New Testament. They then assume that one section is for Isael and one is for the Body of Christ. This can also lead to serious error in Bible study, most significantly in that they can easily confuse that which was intended for Israel with that which was intended for the Body of Christ. Careful observation reveals that there is much more to the story. Modern Church: Where Tradition Trumps Truth provides an overview of that very crucial complete story.
