How
Many Dispensations?
A
Chart Comparing Various Dispensational Schemes
By Ed F. Sanders
The
acknowledged 'father of dispensationalism', John Nelson
Darby, held to a scheme of 6 dispensations.
Darby was not consistent
with the names
of dispensations so Professor Charles Ryrie (Dallas Theological
Seminary)
reworked Darby's scheme based on his analysis of Darby's writings. C.
I.
Scofield proposed a 7 dispensation scheme in his Scofield Reference
Bible which
has become the most widely held view.
In spite of
Scofield's popular seven dispensational scheme the
number and names of the dispensations is still a confusing
issue. I have seen schemes for few as
three to as many as five, seven
(Scofield - see chart below), twelve
(A. E.
Koch), fourteen, and eighteen (C. H.
Welch). Concerning the number of dispensations one
website author opines "How many dispensations
are there? It all depends how finely you look
at the issue - the more detailed your criteria for defining a
dispensation, the more you get.......My own feeling is that seven dispensations
seems about right". 'It all depends...seems about right' shows
the writer, like others, just do not know for sure! And why the
confusion? The fact is that dispensationalism is a scheme imposed upon
the Scriptures rather than a clear teaching based on Scripture. If it
were taught in Scripture there would be no confusion about the number
and names of the dispensations.
Another
author tries
to answer the question "How many dispensations
are there? That
is
a much harder question to answer. I could settle for as few as
three
if I had to. If we had to call it a new dispensation every time God
changed the
instructions at all, I suppose we could have, maybe even thirty
seven.(1).
Part of the
reason for the confusion is in the
understanding and use (or misuse) of the word translated 'dispensation'(2)
in the KJV. Charles H. Ryrie who has written perhaps the
standard
definition of a dispensation:
Kenneth
Gentry commenting on Ryrie's definition says
"this
is remarkable in that since a dispensation is a "distinguishable
economy" it would seem that it should DISTINGUISHABLE"!
Others who
think the dispensations are clearly marked off and
distinct include Lewis Sperry Chafer who writes "According to
Scripture,
there are in all seven major dispensations"(4). C. I.
Scofield,
author of the Scofield Reference Bible, commenting on
his 7
dispensations scheme says "These periods are marked off in
Scripture..."(5)
(I have yet to see the 7 dispensations marked off in Scripture, only in
Scofield's notes which are not part of the inspired text!). Another
writer who
thinks the dispensations are distinct says "Right Division is a method
of
studying the Bible in the light of recognizing God's distinct
dispensations
and programs(6)".
Concerning the question of the number of
dispensations
Charles C. Ryrie confidently declares: "Nevertheless, on the basis
of
the definition of a dispensation as a distinguishable
economy in the
outworking
of God's purpose, it is not difficult to deduce how many
dispensations are
revealed in Scripture"(7). According to Ryrie "At
least three dispensations (as commonly understood in dispensationalism)
are mentioned by Paul: one preceding the present time (Col. 1:25 - 26),
the present arrangement (Eph. 3:2), and a future administration (Eph.
1:10). These three require a fourth, one before the law, and a prelaw
dispensation would seem to need to be divided into pre - and postfall
economies. Thus five administrations seem clearly distinguishable
(at least within a premillennial understanding of Scripture). The usual
sevenfold scheme includes a new economy after the Noahic flood and
another with the call of Abraham"(8).
If it is "not
difficult to deduce how many dispensations are revealed in Scripture"
then why so many dispensational schemes? If the
dispensations
are so distinct, so clearly and unequivocally taught in Scripture, then
one would
think that the number and names of the dispensations would be quite
clear for God
is not the author of confusion!
In an attempt to diffuse the confusion one
writer has said "The key
to
Dispensationalism is not in the definition or recognition of a specific
number
of dispensations(9)". This is an amazing statement - the
definition or number of dispensations are not 'key' to
dispensationalism! If
not what then is the key? For a system of theology that claims to be
the only
true basis for correct interpretation of Scripture based on 'consistent
literal
interpretation' and 'right division', it is an admission that
the doctrine
does not
have any real Scriptural basis.
A look at the following chart should be enough
to convince
anyone that the
Bible does not clearly teach any 'distinguishable'
dispensational scheme 'clearly marked off in Scripture', even
the most
well
known and respected dispensationalists do not agree on the number and
names.
| Dispensational
Schemes
Compared |
||||||
|
Darby |
Ryrie |
Grey |
Scofield |
Larkin |
Thieme |
Willmington |
|
1 Noahic |
1 Paradisaical |
1 Edenic |
1 Innocency |
1 Edenic |
1 Gentiles |
1 Innocence |
|
2 Abrahamic |
2 Noah |
2 Antediluvian |
2 Conscience |
2 Anti Diluvian |
2 Israel |
2 Conscience |
|
3 Israel |
3 Abraham |
3 Patriarchal |
3 Human Government |
3 Post Diluvian |
3 Church |
3 Civil Government |
|
4 Gentiles |
Israel |
4 Mosaic |
4 Promise |
4 Patriarchal |
4 Millennial |
4 Promise |
|
5 Church, Spirit, Christian, Gentile, Church, Present10 |
5 Gentiles |
5 Church |
5 Law |
5 Legal |
|
5 Mosaic Law |
|
6. Millennium |
6 Spirit |
6 Millennial |
6 Grace |
6 Ecclesiastical |
|
6 Church |
|
|
7 Millennium |
7 Fullness of times |
7 Kingdom |
7 Millennial |
|
7 Tribulation |
|
|
|
8 Eternal |
|
8 Perfection |
|
8 Millennium |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 New Creation |
|
John Nelson Darby, |
Charles C. Ryrie, Dispensationalism,
|
Dr James M. Grey was one of the editors of the Scofield Bible. Note the difference in names (and number) from the Scofield scheme. |
C. I. Scofield, Scofield Reference Bible (1917 Edition) Lewis Sperry Chafer held to
essentially the same scheme. See another variation at |
Clarence
Larkin |
Robert Thieme taped lectures
Basic Training (c. 1968). |
Harold L. Willmington, |
|
Notes:
1. The Church age is variously stated to be either the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, or 9th dispensation(11)! What utter confusion for such a 'distinguishable' doctrinal scheme so 'clearly' taught in Scripture! 2. One commentator proposes two 'Mosaic dispensations', one before the Church age and one after. |
||||||
For more
information on dispensationalism see the articles
listed on our Theology
page. Differences between Dispensational and Historic Premillennialism
can be
seen on our Eschatology Chart.
Endnotes:
(1) Quote from the article The 12 Dispensations at biblicalanswers.com.
(2) Actually the Greek word is generic rather than a 'technical' word: 'oikonomia' (oikonomia)' from 'oikonomeo' meaning stewardship. The KJV translates 'oikonomia' dispensation' 4 times and 'stewardship' 3 times (Strong's Greek Dictionary).
(3) From Dispensationalism by Charles C. Ryrie. Moody Press, Chicago. 1995
(4) Major Bible Themes, Lewis Sperry Chafer
(5) Rightly
Dividing The Word Of Truth, chapter 2, C. I.
Scofield
(6) From an article on a dispensational website, author not stated.
(7) Dispensationalism,
Charles C. Ryrie (p. 46)
(8) Quote from the Ryries article on
'dispensationalism' in Elwell
Evangelical Dictionary.
(9)
Quote from an article on www.endtimes.org. Others make similar
statements.
(10) There are at least these five names given for this dispensation in Darby's writings: Spirit/Christian/Gentile/Church/Present!!!
(11) Listed as #9, the "Secret" dispensation by A. E. Koch!
Updated 10-2-2006