The Ancient History of Dispensationalism

Ep. 162: We speak with Dr. Alan Shelby, Dean of LFBI, about the historical roots of a dispensational view of Scripture. Dr. Shelby emphasizes the key of right division in understanding the Bible, with Dispensationalism holding the right hermeneutic for a literal interpretation of the Scriptures. He highlights how Dispensationalism, which evaluates the truths of Scripture written to ourselves and others, differs from other methods of interpretation which require man-made constructions and misinterpretations of God's truth. He explores the early modern roots and heritage of current Dispensational thought, as well as the historical roots of Premillennialism (the return of Christ before the Millennium). He traces these roots back to the very disciples of the twelve apostles, marking the connection of a fellowship of believers through God's Word that has lasted through history.

[janetdavis]

Awesome teaching, guys! This really cleared up a lot for me. I agree with you, but didn’t understand the other perspectives very well, till now. Thank you!

[mmeneses]

I am a grace dispensationalist, rightly dividing the Word, in full appreciation of this episode. A question I have is on the ordinances apostle Paul has the members for the Body of Christ. As a dispensationalist living under grace, isn’t water baptism is no longer required to be kept since it is placing yourself under the Law? Thank you

[rickcampanella]

I learned to rightly divide and now they call me a Cessationist

[goban]

Thanks for presenting a historical account of the Dispensationalist theory of biblical interpretation that can compete with other hermeneutic interpretations of the Bible.

[AidenRKrone]

There's so much vicious hatred and false accusations being thrown against dispensationalism, and even though I'm not a dispensational premillennialist (I'm an adherent of olive tree theology, historic premillennialism, and futurism), I appreciate fair, accurate, and charitable explanations of classical dispensationalism.

[rickcampanella]

Acts is a transitional book going from law to grace. Paul taught the gospel of grace that Jesus died on the cross to give us. Signs and wonders are not for the church but for the Jews. Beware of Ecumenicalism.

[DeAn]

But the problem I see is that different dispensationalists uses different charts. Which of them is right?

[KingoftheJuice]

As a religious Jew, I'm very interested in the dispensationalist view of Israel. The section which discusses this concept seems to focus more on the dispute with other Christian points of view about the topic, but doesn't spell out what dispensationalists actually believe concerning the Jewish people's relationship with God through the ages. Among other things, do dispensationalists think that it's important for Jews to remain faithful to the covenant God made with Israel at Sinai, to keep the laws, statutes, and commandments they were given in the Torah—as opposed to converting to Christianity, something which many other Christians see as a religious desideratum?

[rickcampanella]

Scripture is all in an order. Biblical prophecy happens in an order. Rightly dividing and dispensations shows me that I'm not a Jew under the law. Never mix law with grace or you will have neither.

[rickcampanella]

I ask people who speak in tongues what's the difference is between tongues and babbling.

[rickcampanella]

Christianity isn't something you do, it's something that's done to you by the Holy Spirit

[rickcampanella]

Research the history of pentecostalism