Dispensational Theology

1. The Dispensation of Innocence - untested Holiness

. * Began at Creation and lasted until the fall

. * People could have direct fellowship with God, but they must not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil

. * Final judgment: Sin and death, people expelled from the Garden

2. The Dispensation of Conscience - Cain & Abel

. * Began at the time of the fall and lasted until the flood

. * People were responsible to live according to their God-given conscience

. * Final judgment: Universal Flood

3. The Dispensation of Government - Noah

. * Lasted from the time when God offered Noah a covenant with the rainbow until the Tower of Babel

. * People were to follow God both through their own conscience and by establishing just government

. * Final judgment: The Tower of Babel - confusion of tongues

4. The Dispensation of Promise - Abraham

. * From the calling of Abraham (Gen. 12) until the Exodus.

. * The Covenant People were to remain faithful to Yahweh alone and practice circumcision

. * Final judgment: slavery in Egypt

5. The Dispensation of Law - Moses

. * From the giving of the law to Moses until the Crucifiction of Christ.

. * The Covenant People were to be faithful to Yahweh through obeying the Law

. * Final judgment:

6. The Dispensation of Grace or the Church

. * Lasts from the Crucifiction of Christ until the Rapture

. * The church is to render saving faith in following Christ

. * No ending judgment for this dispensation

7. The Dispensation of Kingdom

. * Corresponds roughly to the Millenium

. * People are to obey Christ who reigns on earth

. * Great White Throne

Discussion Questions

. How might the Covenant Theology versus Dispensational Theology view affect:

Eschatology?

Bibliology?

Ecclesiology?

Soteriology?

Pneumatology?

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