Christian Life 

Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism

Two contradictory and competing 'systematic theologies' have been, and remain very influential in shaping Christian belief and action.
 
 
 

 

CT and DNote: The 'response' facility relating to this article is available to (logged on) site members only.


Preface

The following article is a modified extract from an earlier article entitled 'A Covenant-keeping God'. The latter, which contains an overview of the major Biblical covenants, is itself part of a 'Drilling Down' series of articles (a 'work in progress').

-----------------------
 

Foreword:

Theological constructs;
frameworks of interpretation
(aka Systematic Theology)

 


REGARDING interpretational systems and frameworks or – to use the fancy term – hermeneutics, it is important to note the distinction between terms which are ‘theological’ and those which are ‘biblical’. Theological terms need to be treated with great caution.
Whilst they might be convenient in the discussion of key biblical themes and concepts (e.g. the term ‘Trinity’ as used in reference to the triune Godhead) these are essentially – in the grand sweep of history – neologisms.
They are essentially religious rather than biblical terms or, to use another word, ‘inventions’. They are often lacking clear definition and, across the Christian spectrum, experience differing levels of (dis)agreement and common understanding.
An example is the word ‘sacrament’. It is not found in the Bible and theologians have differed regarding the precise nature of a ‘sacrament’ and also what is (and isn’t ) covered by the term. (See New World Encyclopedia on the subject.) And the different opinions are not confined to the clichéd Roman Catholic/Protestant divisions. The Reformers Luther and Zwingli were famously in disagreement over Communion.

It is also important to differentiate between inductive learning and deductive reasoning. The former derives a view directly from (out of and formed by) the Bible text (exegesis): the latter is arrived at by a process of logic. For instance (and only for the sake of illustration) if it is held that God predestines some to salvation, then logic should dictate that God must, by extension, predestine some to a lost eternity. The use of logic can produce doctrines that are arrived at by eisegesis (reading into a Bible text from a particular and pre-suppositional theological framework).
Clever murder mysteries use 'deduction' to lead the reader or viewer on a false trail and to suspect the wrong person of the crime. (But of course Hercule Poirot's incisive and 'out-of-the-box'  thinking shames the logic of we armchair sleuths every time.)

This is not to detract from the benefits of Systematic Theology which (in plainer language) is merely a themed approach to Bible study, but rather to highlight that theological suppositions should never be placed on a par with or, infinitely worse still, sit above the Word of God.
 

------------

 

Introduction

 
Two major theological systems -
(which contradict each other whilst also failing the Berean test: Acts 17:10-11).

EO logo1Caveat: Whilst focussing on particular interpretations, this is an 'equal opportunities' document in that it offers scope for upset right across the theological spectrum.

In the Christian community across the world there are a variety of theological positions. However two of these have gained widespread support and – whilst disagreeing with one another – have both been highly influential in the formulation of belief. And it is important to stress again that these are theological constructs. The earliest of the two has been termed ‘Covenant Theology (mainly formulated and codified in the 17th century; see Footnote): the other being ‘Dispensationalism’ (with its origins in the 19th century).
 
The former is a central plank within Presbyterian churches around the world and across the (Presbyterian) denominational spectrum. The latter originated in the UK (pioneered by those within what became the Plymouth Brethren), but crossed the Atlantic to become hugely influential in the late 19th century. Dispensationalism informed the belief of the pentecostal churches at the start of the 20th century and has, since then, expanded both denominationally and geographically.

 
Covenant Theology

 


Covenant Theology






Covenant Theology (CT) developed two principal terms to describe its dual covenant interpretational framework viz. a Covenant of Works and a Covenant of Grace. (Some argue that there is only one covenant – the Covenant of Grace. Others include a Covenant of Redemption between the Father and the Son.) These theological terms have been employed to develop a whole range of doctrines and, because of the influence that they have had, we will (d.v.) come back to these later in more detail.

However, for the moment and with reference to the most common 'dual-covenant' view – developed first by Dudley Fenner, an English Puritan, in 1585; and then Scottish theologian Robert Rollock (1555 - 1598)  – it is sufficient to say that the (theological) Covenant of Works is used to denote the period prior to the Fall in the Garden of Eden. In simple terms the Covenant of Works would say: “If Adam and Eve had obeyed the instructions given to them then they would have been OK. “ However Adam and Eve didn’t, so God had to embark on Plan B – the Covenant of Grace.”

This term – again simply speaking, but remembering that it is a theological expression, not a biblical, one – covers the continuous period from the Fall until the final consummation and Kingdom come.
However this span of time is (it is argued) split into two ‘administrations’ (again a non-biblical term); basically delineated by the Old Testament (OT) and the New Testament (NT) periods. In these two ‘administrations’ (it is said) God applied the same principles but in two different situations and in two different ways to the one people of God. These were Israelites in the OT and believers (Gentile and Jewish) in NT times.

Whilst this is a convenient hermeneutic, it is not biblical. The nation of Israel was in effect a theocracy within which some were in communion with God (cf Heb. 11) while others were very obviously not. In contrast the church (in the true sense of the bride of Christ) comprises solely of people in blood-bought communion with God.
So 'OT Israel = OT expression of church' is both overly-simplistic and grossly misleading . As a corollary, 'Church = Israel' is also untrue. (More on this below.) But as Covenant Theology has been widely accepted as ‘biblical’ it has led directly to (for instance) infant baptism. Accordingly paedobaptism is claimed to be the NT equivalent of circumcision – even though circumcision was never the symbol of salvation and union with God; and was only ever applied to males. [Again, more on this at later date (d.v.) when looking at 'Who are Abraham's seed?']

One of the other principal, and even more serious, mistakes deriving from Covenant Theology has led to what is commonly called ‘Replacement Theology’. This ‘theology’ – also termed Supercessionism – teaches that the Jews have now been ‘replaced’ by the mainly-Gentile church and (therefore, by deduction and logic) the promises to the Jews have now either all been fulfilled or spiritualised;or will find any contemporary or future fulfillment in the church. (So for instance many older Bibles have chapter headings for Isaiah 59 as “God’s curses on the Jews” and Isaiah 60 as “God’s blessings on the Church”.)
The ‘replacement’ view is most emphatically rejected by Paul in his letter to the (Jewish and Gentile) church at Rome. In fact this is his core message (Rom 11:1-2; 11-12) and the underlying reason for writing this – his longest – letter.

 

Dispensationalism

 


Dispensationalism







In contrast to Covenant Theology the other system of interpretation that has attracted widespread support is that of Dispensationalism.

There is a view that Dispensationalism (as distinct from, but embracing pre-millennialism) has its genesis in a Scottish believer (Margaret Macdonald; 1815-1840) and a Church of Scotland minister (Rev. Edward Irving; 1792-1834). What is undisputed is the fact the John Nelson Darby (founder of the Plymouth Brethren as a distinct grouping with its roots in the wider Brethren movement) is the latter-day father of this theological system. Darby took his pre-tribulation rapture teachings (the removal of believers from the earth prior to the return of Christ and before the ‘great tribulation’ of Matt. 24) to America where they were enthusiastically embraced by a lawyer called Cyrus I. Scofield (1843-1921).
 
Scofield in turn produced the Scofield Reference Bible (first published 1909) which is annotated throughout in support of Darby’s interpretations – especially with reference to eschatology, the end-time prophecies and events regarding Christ’s return. The Scofield Bible has been hugely influential right through to the present day – in America and right around the world. The teachings are now being propagated through the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Dallas Theological Seminary, and more than 200 other lesser-known Bible institutes..

Dispensationalism divides history into sections, covering the periods of Innocence, Conscience, Civil Government, the Patriarchs, the Law, Grace (the church age), the Millennium and the final consummation leading to the everlasting kingdom. However, and perhaps because this theological system lacks biblical warrant,  there is a range of opinions (disagreement) on how many dispensations there are (varying from three to eight) and where, in history and in Scripture, the dividing lines lie.
But irrespective of the number of dispensations, the agreed assumption is that God has dealt differently with his world and its people in each of these different dispensations. Accordingly then a different hermeneutic needs to be applied to the different portions of Scripture which cover these different periods of time.

What is also generally agreed is that the church age is a parenthesis – a defined interlude – in God’s overall plan of salvation i.e. in the OT is God dealing through the Jews while the NT is the time of the Gentile church until Jesus’s rapture of the saints
(with a pre/post/mid-Tribulation rapture range of views) . This will usher in a further period of God again dealing with and through the Jews.

Dispensational teaching has been greatly popularised and adopted through hugely-influential and best-selling books like Hal Lindsey’s ‘The Late Great Planet Earth’ (1970) and the ‘Left Behind’ series of novels by Tim LaHaye. The Left Behind books – the first in the series appeared in 1995 – have sold over 50 million copies, and have been turned into a cinema production. The books are freely available from and often prominently displayed in Christian bookshops.
As stated earlier, the core element of these novels is the ‘pre-tribulation rapture’ which, as already stated, teaches that all Christians will be suddenly and without any warning removed from the earth prior to the return of Christ. (See Footnotes.) However, and apart from the wider Christian community, even within the Brethren camp there was disagreement. George Mueller (of Bristol Orphanage fame) broke with Darby over this issue. The great Baptist preacher C.H. Spurgeon also declared the teaching to be unscriptural. Nevertheless the doctrine has persisted.
 
 In summation...
 

 Both Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism have been and continue to be highly influential in formulating Christian belief, but both are disputed.

Covenant Theology dismisses swathes of end-time prophecy as irrelevant or allegorical, and sees no place in God’s final purposes for the Jews other than (perhaps) a final ingathering as outlined in Romans. In terms of latter-day expectations prior to the return of Jesus, the former implicitly teaches a universally positive response to the Gospel (reading more into Matt. 24:14 than the verse allows; cf Matt 7:14).

Meanwhile, though recognising the prophesied 'time of great trouble' (Dan 12:1; Matt 24; 2 Tim. 3:1-12), Dispensationalism (in pre-tribulation rapture form), teaches that believers will be spirited away, leaving the Jews to face the music of Satan’s final onslaught. (See Footnotes.)
So while the Gentile believers look down from a safe vantage point in heaven (as God's 'heavenly people'), the Jews will be God's latter-day 'earthly people' who will suffer greatly but endure through the Great Tribulation. Within the Dispensationalist view, Matthew 24 (et al)  and, for some, Revelation chapters 4 - 19 are seen as only of academic interest  – given the belief that the Gentile saints will be in heaven during that period.

Regarding God’s end-time purposes for the Jews, Dispensational Theology cannot get the church and Israel together, whereas Covenant Theology cannot get the church and Israel apart. The former sees the Jews and the church as totally different entities separated by ethnicity and end-time progression, whereas the latter see Israel and the Jews as essentially an earlier expression of the church, differentiated only by two separate and distinct ‘administrations’ of time (OT/NT) in God’s grace. In fact Israel was/is a physical nation comprising the saved and the lost (Rom 9:7), whereas followers of Christ are a spiritual nation made up exclusively of the redeemed (Gal 3:7,8; 1 Pet 2:9).
 
At the very least it can be confidently stated that because these two systems disagree markedly with one another, they cannot both be completely right. (And it could be argued that in critical issues they are both wrong.) Yet both of these systems have created expectations and assumptions which could leave believers scripturally askew; vulnerable through false hopes; and ill-prepared to understand the times and the purposes of God in our day as the cosmic upheavals preceding Kingdom Come drawn ever nearer.

At the risk of vain repetition, the theological systems of Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism lack Biblical support in major areas of doctrine, theology and eschatology. Moreover they profoundly disagree with each other on very significant points – especially concerning the times preceding the coming again of Christ; the place of, and God’s purposes for the Jewish people; and the establishment of His everlasting kingdom.

 
Footnotes:

1. Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the church as taught by most Dispensationalists. The view held is that Christ will have two comings: the first will be invisible 'for the saints' and the second 'with the saints'.
pre-trib rapture

-------------------

Westminster Confession2. The Westminister Confession of Faith (1644) codifies much of what is described as 'Calvinism' and is subscribed to as a 'Subordinate Standard' by Presbyterian denominations worldwide.

The document is predicated on so-called 'Covenant Theology' and contains material which is, in the broad sweep of the formulation Biblical, extra-biblical, and unbiblical representing Truth mixed with error.
It is also deficient in failing to cover some some major biblical themes: making bare mention of the person and role of the Holy Spirit, and with no mention of the Great Commission.

3. The Millennium
MillenniumBroadly speaking Reformed (Covenant) theology teaches the Millennium as being a definite period prior to the coming again of Christ at the end of the age. However, the early church believed in a literal Millennial reign of Christ on earth.
While many today share this view, not all who do are Dispensationlists (i.e. all Dispensationlists are pre-millennial but not all Pre-Millennialists adhere to Dispensationalism). See article The (Coming) Millennium by a Scottish lay preacher and city mission superintendent.

The Editor, 30/07/2013

Feedback:
(page   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13)
Colin Ford (Guest) 04/08/2013 12:59
Certainly, when one takes to heart those Job Scriptures quoted above, we can see the danger of adopting a metaphorical/allegorical interpretation of God's Word? We can end up believing almost anything, even evolutionary teaching! They are indeed VERY humbling Words? And of course very true.
Now, this is not to say that there are not difficulties in understanding the Bible; surely this is why we study it?
Editor 04/08/2013 13:36
What we need to keep in mind is that the Bible is a very diverse book in terms of the language and illustrations which we find within it. There are some passages which are indeed figurative.

The book of Revelation is a mixture of historicist, futurist, pretist and idealist. Some of it should be taken literally, some of it figuratively/allegorically.

We need to interpret difficult passages in the context of those that are more straightforward; and to understand individual verses in the context of the whole counsel of God's Word.

If we believe that the prophecies concerning Jesus were outworked in a literal sense, why should we not believe that end-time prophesies will be similarly fufilled.

But regarding the bears and calves and lions and eagles of Daniel and Revelation we obviously need to understood these in a different fashion.

But just to re-state the overarching and supreme framework of our understanding and interpretation needs be the Word of God and not science and/or philosophy.
Colin Ford (Guest) 04/08/2013 13:59
Yes, I think I would certainly agree with that. A very good overview.Also horns, mountains, waters, woman and toes mean other things as well?
Scripture ever interprets Scripture.


Angus (Guest) 04/08/2013 15:40
Colin, you take the view that "the FIRST resurrection comes after the tribulation and that there is none before it", and consequently you believe the church will go through the tribulation.

I think you are misreading the reference to the "first resurrection" in Rev 20 v 4-5. It seems to me that the "first" is simply being contrasted with the "second" resurrection, which occurs after the millennium (v 5a). In other words the saints who have died during the tribulation constitute the "first resurrection" and will reign with Christ on earth for a thousand years. The "second resurrection" (after the millennium) is for unbelievers, and they will be raised for judgement.

The "first resurrection" in Rev 20 v 5 should not be confused with the pre-tribulation resurrection of believers when Christ comes to the air for his church (1 Cor 15, 1 Th 4, 2 Th 2). There is in effect a two-stage resurrection of believers, namely (1) pre-trib saints as indicated in 2 Th 2 v 1-2 and (2) post-trib saints, being those who have trusted Christ during the tribulation period (Rev 20 v 4-5).

The whole point of Paul's reassurance to the believers in 2 Thes 2 is that they should not be alarmed by some false report that the tribulation had already begun, when in fact Paul had previously taught them to expect the rapture of the church prior to the tribulation. In other words, they were waiting for Christ not tribulation!
Colin Ford (Guest) 04/08/2013 16:52
Angus,
If plain words mean anything, anymore, what am I to call 1 Thessalonians 4.16-17 and 1 Corinthians 15.52 but a resurrection? The very words of the inspired Apostle tell us that "the dead in Christ shall rise first" I Thessalonians 14.16. If this isn't a resurrection, I don't know what it is? So we now have a "first resurrection", before the "first resurrection"? This amounts to three resurrections?
You are correct when you say the second resurrection is at the end of the millennium.
The whole point of Paul's reassurance to the Thessalonian believers in 2 Thessalonians 2.2-3 was to tell them that the Day of the Lord had not arrived! The verse even says such.
Paul tells the Thessalonians not to be deceived by false teachers. Before the Day of the Lord can commence, first they must see the apostasy, and THEN the revealing of the man of sin, who will take his seat in the temple, displaying himself as being God; 2 Thessalonians 2.4. Events HAD to happen first. There is NO imminent or any moment rapture.
This is the error of Dispensational theology.
The Bible teaches that the Saviour will return a "second time without sin, unto salvation" Hebrews 9.28. (Not a "two stage resurrection"). Contrariwise He came the first time to made "sin for us" 2 Corinthians 5.21.
Colin Ford (Guest) 04/08/2013 17:19
Regarding the "apostasy" or "falling away", in 2 Thessalonians 2.3 I believe that this is a specific apostasy, not a general apostasy that we are now witnessing.
This apostasy/falling away is directly linked with Antichrist's spectacular rise to power.I believe that this "falling away" is what the Saviour describes in His Olivet discourse in Matthew 24.10-13. Matthew 24.15 then describes what is believed to be the same event in 2 Thessalonians 2.3 and Daniel 9.27.
Angus (Guest) 05/08/2013 12:52
Colin has stated that believers will "see" the apostasy and the revealing of the man of sin. This is where I differ from him. There is no indication in 2 Thes 2 that believers will "see" the Day of the Lord or the antichrist. On the contrary Paul is concerned to reassure them that they had not "missed" the rapture (v 1) because, if they had, the signs that the Day of the Lord had arrived would be clearly evident (which was not the case, even though they were suffering persecution).

Paul had already taught the believers in 1 Th 4:13 to 5:11 that the rapture would occur before the day of the Lord. Destruction would not come on them (as on unbelievers) like a thief in the night, as they were not in darkness, but were sons of light and did not belong to the night or to the darkness. God had not appointed them to suffer wrath, but to receive salvation (1 Th 5:9).

If Paul had previously taught them that the Day of the Lord would precede the rapture, why would they have become "unsettled" or "alarmed" by a report that the Day of the Lord had already come. Surely that report would have been an encouragement to them that the return of Christ was near? But if Paul had taught them that the rapture would precede the Day of the Lord, it is not surprising that they were unsettled or alarmed by the false reports that the Day of the Lord had already come.


Colin Ford (Guest) 05/08/2013 17:24
2 Thessalonians 2.1, describes "our gathering together unto him", at His coming. This is the same "gathering" in Matthew 24.31, when the angels gather His elect.
The word "gather" is the same Greek word employed in the Matthew 24.31; "episunago".
A pre tribulation rapture is not described anywhere, unless of course you want to read it into the text, which Dispensational/pre trib teachers in fact do, in order to remain faithful to Darby's theory.
The Thessalonians were "unsettled" by false teaching (nothing much has changed there). I do appreciate that Dispensational theologians teach that 2 Thessalonians 2.1-2 is telling us that the believers thought the "rapture" had come. But this makes very little sense given that Paul's proofs have to do with the man of lawlessness and the great apostasy, (2 Thessalonians 2.3-4) signs that in a Dispensationalist scheme should not have preceded the rapture. Paul goes on to remind the Thessalonians in 2 Thessalonians 2.5-7 that certain events HAVE to happen before the "Day of the Lord" comes (before true believers are caught up).
Why on earth would Paul warn the Thessalonians about the "apostasy" and "the man of lawlessness" if he knew that they would be "raptured" out of the way first?
If Paul knew anything about any pre tribulation rapture, why didn't he tell them? Don't worry guy's, you won't be around?
And besides; 2 Thessalonians 1.6-7 does indeed describe persecutions that Angus mentions; Christians suffered persecutions/tribulations/afflictions 2000 years ago, are today suffering dreadfully abroad, and will be soon in this once favoured land, all on account of faithfulness to Christ. But of course we ARE appointed to salvation and God has not appointed us to suffer at His hand 1 Thessalonians 5.9. We only need to read Revelation 9.3-7, to see that God will not afflict His own in the great tribulation?
John Miller 05/08/2013 20:51
Angus let me say that my understanding of these matters is very much akin to yours. I have been reading the posts with interest but over the last few days have not had the time to participate.

What many overlook is that in the clear, detailed account of the resurrection of the dead, the physical change to both the living and the dead believers and the experience of being caught up to meet The Lord in the air, there is no mention of His return to the earth. I refer of course to 1 Thess. 4. In his second letter to the church at Thessalonica Paul is mainly drawing their attention to His return to the earth.

There is a clear distinction.

Colin you are a trifle harsh I think in the way that you condemn those with whose interpretation of these scriptures you disagree. I accept that others may not agree with my understanding but I do not condemn them. You agree that there will be a rapture of the resurrected saints, I trust. In that we agree. In the Father's time we will experience it together I trust.

As soon as I can I will return with more detailed explanation of my understanding.
Colin Ford (Guest) 05/08/2013 21:09
John,
I certainly condemn no-one. How can I?
I think we would all do well to take James 3.1 to heart?
We are all accountable to God? Matthew 12.36.
I certainly don't post here in a frivolous or nonchalant manner.
It is the truth that matters, that is all? The Saviour warned us against deception Matthew 24.4. I cannot, with a clear conscience, tell you that God will come for His elect people before His appointed time; if the Scriptures teach no such thing.

(page   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13)

NOTICE: - The 'Response' facility on most articles is restricted to CT site members. Site members should login here. Comments/questions from non-site members should be sent to the Editor by e-mail.


Christians Together in the Highlands and Islands > Christian Life > Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism