Have I crossed the line in Dispensationalism?


This is what I wonder. My view on alcohol is not exactly a common one, as many in the Disp camp are into Teetotalism. It seems the best arguments for alcoholic beverages comes from Reformed pens. But this is not saying all Dispensationalists are against alcohol.

Second my view on the Law and the Gospel is not a common one among Dispensationalist. Books like this one seem to be very Covenant theology based and using the 10 Commandments in evangelism is not a common view among Dispensationalists as most believe in the Dispensation of Grace and therefore the use of the LAW is not appropriate. Also open air preaching was for another Dispensation. No I am not saying that all Dispensationalists are against the Way of the Master, nor am I saying that all Reformed accept WOTM, or using the LAW in evangelism, but in general its more accepted in Reformed circles.

The classical view is:

Innocence (Genesis 1 -3) - Adam and Eve before they sinned
Conscience (Genesis 3-8) - First sin to the flood
Civil Government (Genesis 9-11) - After the flood, government
Promise (Genesis 12-Ex. 19) - Abraham to Moses, the Law is given
Law (Exodus 20 - Acts 2:4) - Moses to the cross
Grace (Acts 2:4 - Revelation 20:3) - Cross to the millennial kingdom
Millennial Kingdom (Rev. 20:4-6) – The rule of Christ on earth in the millennial kingdom

So I have to wonder where I stand. Perhaps I do not fit into either camp.

Discussion

Are you:

  • PreTrib? Pre-Mill?
  • You do not equate the church with Israel?
  • You generally follow a literal hermeneutic?

If YES YES YES .. you are a Dispensationalist.

Have you received your membership card and know the secret handshake? (joking on this)

I personally do not equate the teetotalist position with Dispensationalism

[Jim]

Are you:

  • PreTrib? Pre-Mill?
  • You do not equate the church with Israel?
  • You generally follow a literal hermeneutic?

If YES YES YES .. you are a Dispensationalist.

Have you received your membership card and know the secret handshake? (joking on this)

I personally do not equate the teetotalist position with Dispensationalism

Yes to all three so I am Dispensatioinalist. However I also strongly believe in using the LAW in evangelism and this is not a popular opinion in Disp circles. Would you not agree? How many Disp churches endorses the Way of the Master?

[jwolf6589] How many Disp churches endorses the Way of the Master?

Not sure … but …. ​

  • Not sure how one can present the gospel without bringing up sin (since that is our great problem and what the Savior came to save us from) AND
  • “I would not have known sin except through the law” (Romans 7:7)

But (and here is my observation) .. the Gospel went forth before the Way of the Master … I mean I have heard of Ray Comfort but had never heard of the Way of the Master. So perhaps you are asking the wrong question.

You’ve been practicing the secret handshake? Right?!!

[jwolf6589]

Jim wrote:

Are you:

  • PreTrib? Pre-Mill?
  • You do not equate the church with Israel?
  • You generally follow a literal hermeneutic?

If YES YES YES .. you are a Dispensationalist.

Have you received your membership card and know the secret handshake? (joking on this)

I personally do not equate the teetotalist position with Dispensationalism

Yes to all three so I am Dispensatioinalist. However I also strongly believe in using the LAW in evangelism and this is not a popular opinion in Disp circles. Would you not agree? How many Disp churches endorses the Way of the Master?

Hi Jwolfe-

Our church uses a lot of Way of the Master stuff (and yes, Jim, it is mostly Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron), and we are dispensational. You can PM me if you want more details.

"Our task today is to tell people — who no longer know what sin is...no longer see themselves as sinners, and no longer have room for these categories — that Christ died for sins of which they do not think they’re guilty." - David Wells