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:
