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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | DocTrinsograce | 127058 | ||
What you are expressing is a view that is most frequently promulgated by a form of theology called dispensationalism. Dispensationalism's strongest opponent is covenant theology, although, as you can imagine, there are variations on these themes all over the place. :-) Another area in which these ideas come into play is in nomianism and antinomianism. Dispensationalism is often pushed by organizations like Dallas Theological Seminary and books like the "Left Behind" series. This view seems to have its roots in people like Schofield, supporting it in his Bible notes. Dispensationalism teaches that God deals with man in distinct "dispensations" or epochs. Each dispensation is unique and has little to do with the other dispensations. I have heard of as many as 11 dispensations but mostly they teach that there are 7. The final dispensation is the 1000 year reign of Christ. Covenant theology, is most clearly articulated directly out of the Reformation. Some of its forms even include the notion of covenant nations. This view has its roots in people like John Calvin, John Knox, and others. Classical covenant theology teaches that God deals with man by cutting covenant with him. Thus, Adam and Eve had a covenant (contract) with God in which both parties fulfilled specific terms. There was also a Noahic covenant, a Mosaic covenant, and the covenant of grace ushered in by Christ. Covenant theology is why we call the Old and New Testament testaments... that's just another word for covenant. Nomianism and antinomianism deal with how the Law comes into play in our lives. Antinomianists say not at all. Nomianists believe that the Law is sacrosanct, but is satisfied through Christ. I'm really glad you are thinking about these things! They are important questions. Before you completely settle in on one side of this issue or another, do some research. Find some good scholarly papers on the subject by people who support one side or the other. Read them carefully. Look at their scriptural arguments. Pray for insight and search the scriptures to "see if these things be so." You will learn lots about theology, and your grasp of scripture will grow! In the end, you will have settled on a position that will guide much of your later thinking. Disclaimer: Everyone, please forgive me if I have not represented your theological perspective adequately or entirely accurately. I wanted to just introduce these terms for people to be able to better research them. Lord, guide us all into a clearer understanding of Truth. Show us clearly what are the philosophies of man and what are the verities of your word! |
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2 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127084 | ||
Although I may ocassionally read about religion or other Bible topics outside the Bible written by various men and Bible students, I think it's a mistake for them to introduce concept completely new and independent of the Bible. In this regard, with reference to dispensations, I only see three main dispensations clearly taught by the Bible: 1) the Patriarchical Age, Adam to Jacob 2) Israelite Nation w/Law of Moses and 3) Age of Christianity. This is endorsed by the discussion (verses) below as being the mystery hidden with God until the time was right when he chose to reveal all to the world. Rom 16:25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 1 Cor 2:7 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 1 Cor 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, Eph 1:9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him Eph 3:3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. Eph 3:4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, Eph 3:9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; Eph 5:32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Eph 6:19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, Col 1:26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, Col 1:27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, You might notice that main themes throughout the OT point toward the future looking forward to the time of the Messiah. The Gospels through Acts 1 introduce the life, ministry, death, burial and ressurection of Christ. Acts 2 through Revelation cites the establishment, administration, government, dealing with problems and the ultimate goal of reaching Heaven. So just what was/is the mystery of God revealed in His Word. It's not completely described in specific detail so we're left on our own. It seems clear that if the Devil suspected that God meant all along to literally sacrifice His Son on the cross for the sins of the entire world, for all time, that he the Devil would have done everything in his power to have prevented it. The Devil just didn't understand God's Perfect Sense of Justice and didn't see the danger to Himself in allowing Christ to die. He probably thought if he could just get Christ to come down to his world by having Him killed, then He'd have the last laugh on God. But God is incredibly clever and knows how to turn the bad things in our world and makes them turn for His Good. I realize this is somewhat simplistic but that's the way I see God's Word. I don't think He minds our probing and delving into His Word and discussing those truths as deeply as we like. The big thing I would be very cautious about and avoid almost entirely are those topics as I mentioned above if it's outside the parameters as set by the Bible. Hope this helps and blessings to you. Country Girl |
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3 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | DocTrinsograce | 127165 | ||
Good observations, Country Girl! Clearly you are searching the Word of God. You have some very interesting ideas here that are worthy of further exploration. You are right that the word "dispensation" does appear in scripture (1 Corinthians 9:17, Ephesians 1:10, 3:2, and Colossians 1:25; the same word is translated "stewardship" in Luke 16:2-4). This is the root Greek word from which we get the English word "economy." The word covenant is in the Bible too (Genesis 6:18; 9:9-17; 15:18; 17:2, 4, 7, 9-11, 13-14, 19, 21; 21:27, 32; 26:28; 31:44; Exodus 2:24; 6:4, 5; 19:5; 23:32; 24:7-8; 31:16; 34:10, 12, 15, 27-28; Leviticus 2:13; 24:8; 26:9, 15, 25, 42, 44-45; Numbers 10:33; 14:44; 18:19; 25:12-13; Deuteronomy 4:13, 23, 31; 5:2-3; 7:2, 9, 12; 8:18; 9:9, 11, 15; 10:8; 17:2; 29:1, 9, 12, 14, 21, 25; 31:9, 16, 20, 25, 26; 33:9; Joshua 3:3, 6, 8, 11, 14, 17; 4:7, 9, 18; 6:6, 8; 7:11, 15; 8:33; 23:16; 24:25; Judges 2:1, 20; 20:27; 1 Samuel 4:3-5; 11:1, 2; 18:3; 20:8, 16; 23:18; 2 Samuel 15:24; 23:5; 1 Kings 3:15; 6:19; 8:1, 6, 9, 21, 23; 11:11; 19:10, 14; 20:34; 2 Kings 11:4, 17; 13:23; 17:15, 35, 38; 18:12; 23:2, 3, 21; 1 Chronicles 11:3; 15:25-26, 28, 29; 16:6, 15-17, 37; 17:1; 22:19; 28:2, 18; 2 Chronicles 5:2, 7, 10; 6:11, 14; 7:18; 13:5; 15:12; 21:7; 23:1, 3, 16; 29:10; 34:30, 31, 32; Ezra 10:3; Nehemiah 1:5; 9:8, 32, 38; 13:29; Job 31:1; 41:4; Psalms 25:10, 14; 44:17; 50:5, 16; 55:20; 74:20; 78:10, 37; 89:3, 28, 34, 39; 103:18; 105:8, 9, 10; 106:45; 111:5, 9; 132:12; Proverbs 2:17; Isaiah 24:5; 28:15, 18; 33:8; 42:6; 49:8; 54:10; 55:3; 56:4, 6; 57:8; 59:21; 61:8; Jeremiah 3:16; 11:2, 3, 6, 8, 10; 14:21; 22:9; 31:31, 32, 33; 32:40; 33:20-21, 25; 34:8, 10, 13, 15, 18; 50:5; Ezekiel 16:8, 59, 60, 61, 62; 17:13-16, 18-19; 20:37; 34:25; 37:26; 44:7; Daniel 9:4, 27; 11:22, 28, 30, 32; Hosea 2:18; 6:7; 8:1; 10:4; 12:1; Amos 1:9; Haggai 2:5; Zechariah 9:11; 11:10; Malachi 2:4-5, 8, 10, 14; 3:1; Matthew 26:15; Luke 1:72; 22:5; Acts 3:25; 7:8; Romans 1:31; 9:4; 11:27; Galatians 3:15, 17; 4:24; Ephesians 2:12; Hebrews 8:6-10, 13; 9:1, 4; 10:16, 29; 12:24; 13:20.) If you choose to use a word in a theological sense then you have two choices (1) Define it for purposes of discussion (the word is then extra Biblical) or (2) define it in a strictly Biblical sense. If you choose to do the latter, you only derive a definition of the word from the specific places that it is used; i.e., the specific passages of the Bible in which the word or term is used. You can also go on searching the Bible in other locations if the text itself makes your word synonymous with another word. (For example, in our discussion of "the kingdom of heaven" versus "the kingdom of God.") Your statement that "I think it's a mistake for them to introduce concept completely new and independent of the Bible" may be misplaced in this instance. Both concepts are Biblical concepts as evidenced by the terminology. I do have a position on this, but I can sincerely say that the scholars on both side of the issue didn't pull this stuff out of a hat. They were -- the ones alive are still -- sincere students of the scripture. The beauty of orthodox Christian theology is that we can't pull things out of a hat; whatever we say must be based on scripture alone, otherwise it is only opinion. We could discuss the relative merits of Biblical scholarship, but I think that might be out of scope in this thread. I hope you see that I'm not trying to persuade you to abandon dispensationalism for covenantalism, or vice versa. I encourage you to continue your study. To remain consistent with your hermeneutic I further encourage two things: 1. Check all of the scriptures mentioned above to become familiar with what the scripture says about the subjects. 2. Refrain from labeling things (in this case epochs) without the explicit permission of scripture. I don't mean to scold, dear sister. I'm just encouraging you on how to "be very cautious ... if its outside the parameters as set by the Bible." Be sure to question your assumptions just as vigorously as you question other people's assumptions. I can tell that you want to be solidly grounded in the Word! This is a very noble and blessed effort. God bless you as you continue to pursue. |
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