A Complete Guide to Understanding the Dispensationalism Controversy

Top Highlights

“Is God’s primary purpose in Scripture soteriological (pertaining to salvation) as covenant theologians claim?… Or is it the glory of God, as dispensationalists claim?” (Page 67)

“Have you ever wondered why our Lord, at one point in time, forbade the disciples to take His message to the Gentiles (Mat 10:5–10), and then later commanded that same group of disciples to go to the Gentiles (Mat 28:19–20)? Even if no other dilemma be cited, this one alone forces the reader to: (1) resort to the spiritualization of the plain text of Scripture, or (2) recognize dispensational distinctions.” (Page 13)

“To summarize what has been stated thus far: the primary distinction between covenant theology and dispensationalism (based on the manner in which each interprets the Bible) has to do with how each view the divisions of God’s dealings with mankind. Dispensationalists see seven distinct divisions (as previously described) while covenant theologians see only two: (1) Law (that period prior to Adam’s sin) and (2) Grace (this period since Adam’s sin). These differences have an enormous bearing on how many other doctrines of the Bible are interpreted and viewed theologically.” (Page 33)

“Although spiritually kindred in relationship, many doctrinal issues (such as views concerning Israel and the Church, the millennium, the rapture, etc.) set these two opposing theological camps apart. The distinctions result primarily from the manner in which each interprets the Bible: the covenant theologian interprets the Scriptures allegorically, while dispensationalists on the other hand, employ the consistent literal method of interpretation. This results in fundamental differences between these two systems at the foundational level.” (Page 31)