and literal method of interpretation, Dispensationalism proclaims that his tory will be climaxed by unprece dented glory within the realm of time— (Rev. 19:11-20:6). Since a literal interpretation of Scripture confirms the doctrine that teaches a factual return of Jesus Christ to the earth to establish His Millen nial Kingdom, it is right to call this a Biblical optimism. III. Its Biblical Basis is Conducive to a Constructive Influence in the Chris tian Life. Because of its adequate meth od of interpretation, it is believed that the Dispensational approach of the Word of God enables the Christian to attain, in a large measure, a correct knowledge of the doctrines of theology, bibliology, soteriology-salvation, eccle- siology-the church, and eschatology- last things. Therefore, if this knowl edge is possessed and integrated into the life and daily walk of the believer, it is certain to result in the following: (1) It will promote fellowship with God and with other believers. It is in harmony with the teaching of I John 1:3. The words of St. Augustine touch upon this fellowship in this way, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, lib erty; in all things, charity.” (2) It enables the believer to dis cern correctly between law and grace. It is a foregone conclusion that no Christian can experience n o r m a l growth who is confused in the areas of law and grace. Without controversy, the Book of Galatians is the strongest polemic against placing believers under any form of legalism, for Paul said, “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4). Thus, the dispensational approach shows the believer how to distinguish between law and grace — that he is dead to the law (Romans 7:4), and that victory over sin cannot be attained in any certain form of legalism, but in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and is obtained by faith (Rom. 6:1-11; 8:1-4; II Cor. 5:7; Gal. 2-20). (3) It enables the believer to under
stand, to a large measure, the plan of God. The dispensationalist is able to look backward and see the marvel of God’s plan as it has been unfolded thus far; even more thrilling, he is able to look forward with some degree of confidence and know what the fu ture holds for him and this world. This understanding functions as a sta bilizer to the Christian, for it keeps him in calm in the midst of world tension and turmoil. (4) It provides the believer with proper perspective for the Church. A true Scriptural distinction between Israel and the Church helps the Chris tian to understand the place and pur pose of each in God’s program. It is clear from Acts 15:14 that God is call ing out a people for His name in this dispensation. Therefore, it is quite evi dent from the Word of God that the primary task of the Church in the world is to witness for Christ so that this Body might be completed (Acts 1:8). Also (Matt. 28:19, 20). IV. It Provides an Adequate Defense against the errors of Liberal and Neo- Orthodox Theology. While t h e s e schools are distinct, it is manifest that both are tarred in some measure with the same brush. Both systems are op posed to the basic tenet of true Ortho doxy, which is a belief in plenary, ver bal inspiration of the Scriptures. There fore, since the theology of Dispensa tionalism is a product of the literal, grammatical, and historical interpre tation, and because this method of in terpretation embraces, without reserva tion, the plenary, verbal inspiration of Scripture, it naturally presents an im pregnable defense against the inroads and advances of Modernism and Neo orthodoxy. In conclusion, we repeat that Dispen sationalism is an effective method of studying the totality of Scripture, be cause it harmonizes Scripture; it ex plains, adequately, history; its Biblical basis is conducive to a constructive in fluence in the Christian life; and it provides an adequate defense against the errors of Liberalism and Neo-ortho dox theology. (continued on next page)
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker