Understanding Dispensationalism: The Key to Scriptural Interpretation

THEOLOGY, SOTERIOLOGY

David M Turner

3/6/20254 min read

Why I Am a Dispensationalist: A Biblical and Theological Case

Introduction

Theology is not just an abstract academic discipline; it shapes the way we read Scripture, understand God's plan for humanity, and apply biblical truths to our lives. Over the years, my theological journey has led me to embrace dispensationalism, a framework that provides clarity in biblical interpretation and helps me see the unfolding of God’s plan from Genesis to Revelation.

Many believers may not be familiar with dispensationalism or, if they are, may have encountered misconceptions about it. Some claim it is just an eschatological system, while others accuse it of being a recent theological invention. In this blog, I want to explain why I am a dispensationalist by outlining its biblical foundation, its emphasis on a consistent hermeneutic, and its implications for understanding God's redemptive plan—especially regarding Israel and the Church.

1. The Biblical Basis for Dispensationalism

Dispensationalism is a framework for understanding the Bible, built on the principle that God has worked with humanity in different ways across history. The term dispensation comes from the Greek word oikonomia, meaning "stewardship" or "administration" (Eph. 1:10, 3:2). Throughout Scripture, we see God working in distinct periods, revealing His will progressively and administering His relationship with humanity differently at various times.

A Key Distinction: Israel and the Church

One of the fundamental principles of dispensationalism is the distinction between Israel and the Church (1 Cor. 10:32). While both are part of God's redemptive plan, they are not the same entity. The promises given to Israel in the Old Testament—particularly the Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants—are not transferred to the Church.

The Apostle Paul reinforces this distinction in Romans 9-11, where he explains that Israel has experienced a partial hardening until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in (Rom. 11:25). This implies that God is not finished with Israel, and His promises to them—including the future Messianic Kingdom—will still be fulfilled.

2. The Dispensations in Scripture

Dispensationalists traditionally recognize seven dispensations in biblical history:

Innocence (Genesis 1-3) – Before the Fall, Adam and Eve lived in a state of innocence and direct fellowship with God.
Conscience (Genesis 3-8) – After sin entered the world, humanity was guided by conscience but fell deeper into corruption.
Human Government (Genesis 9-11) – After the Flood, God introduced human government and accountability.
Promise (Genesis 12 - Exodus 19) – God made an unconditional covenant with Abraham, promising land, seed, and blessing.
Law (Exodus 20 - Acts 2) – Israel was given the Mosaic Law, which governed their relationship with God.
Grace (Acts 2 - Present) – The Church Age, where salvation is offered through faith in Christ apart from the Law.
Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:1-6) – Christ’s literal thousand-year reign on earth.

Each dispensation is not a different method of salvation (salvation has always been by faith), but rather a different way in which God administers His plan. This view aligns with how God progressively reveals Himself throughout Scripture, from dealing with Adam and Eve in the garden to sending Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of His redemptive plan.

3. The Importance of a Consistent Hermeneutic

One of the main reasons I embrace dispensationalism is its commitment to a literal, grammatical, historical interpretation of Scripture. This means taking the Bible at face value, recognizing literary genres but avoiding allegorizing prophetic or historical passages.

Literal Interpretation and Prophecy

A clear example of this approach is in biblical prophecy. Many Old Testament prophecies regarding Israel’s restoration, the coming kingdom, and the Messiah’s reign are still awaiting literal fulfillment. Take, for example:

The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12, 15) – A literal land, a literal nation, and a literal blessing.
The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7) – A future reign of a descendant of David (fulfilled in Christ).
Ezekiel 37:21-28 – A prophecy about Israel’s national and spiritual restoration, which has not been fully realized.

If these promises were given literally, why would they be fulfilled spiritually or transferred to the Church? Dispensationalism maintains that God will keep His literal promises to Israel, just as He has kept His promises regarding Christ's first coming.

4. The Role of Israel in God’s Plan

A dispensational understanding of Scripture preserves the unique identity of Israel in God’s plan. This is where it differs sharply from Replacement Theology, which teaches that the Church has replaced Israel in receiving God’s promises.

The Bible is clear that:

Israel remains God's chosen nation (Deut. 7:6-8; Jer. 31:35-37).
God will fulfill His covenant promises to Israel (Rom. 11:26-29).
The Church is distinct from Israel (1 Cor. 10:32; Eph. 3:1-6).

Paul explicitly states that God has not rejected His people (Rom. 11:1), and Revelation speaks of 144,000 sealed Israelites (Rev. 7:4-8), indicating God's ongoing plan for national Israel.

5. The Significance of Premillennialism

Dispensationalism naturally leads to premillennialism, the belief that Christ will return before establishing a literal thousand-year kingdom on earth (Rev. 20:1-6). This view aligns with the Old Testament prophecies of a Messianic reign (Isa. 2:1-4; Zech. 14:9-11).

The Rapture and the Second Coming

A dispensational view also holds to a pre-tribulational rapture, distinguishing it from the Second Coming:

Rapture (1 Thess. 4:16-17) – Christ comes for His Church, taking believers to heaven.
Second Coming (Rev. 19:11-16) – Christ returns with His Church to establish His kingdom.

This distinction maintains a literal prophetic timeline, ensuring that God’s promises to both Israel and the Church are fulfilled.

Conclusion

I am a dispensationalist because I believe it offers the most biblically consistent framework for understanding God's plan. It maintains:

A clear distinction between Israel and the Church.
A commitment to literal interpretation.
A future for Israel based on biblical prophecy.
A premillennial understanding of Christ’s return.

Dispensationalism is not just an eschatological viewpoint—it is a hermeneutical approach that allows Scripture to be read in its plainest sense. It highlights God's faithfulness in history, His sovereignty in redemptive history, and His promise to bring all things to completion in Christ.

If you’ve never considered this framework before, I encourage you to study it further and see how it enhances your understanding of the Bible. God’s plan is unfolding, and His promises remain sure.