Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 02:7 (Dec 1998)
Article: The Relationship Between the Dispensations and Covenants
Author: Mal Couch

---

CTJ 2:7 (December 1998) p. 405

The Relationship Between the Dispensations and Covenants

Mal Couch

President & Professor of Theology & Languages
Tyndale Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX

The Relationship Between the Dispensations and Covenants — Part 1

The Problem

Few writers have addressed the relationship between the dispensations and the biblical covenants. Rarely do you find dispensationalists discussing this issue. Because of this, often there are statements that seem to miss the mark and confuse the specifics that make dispensations and covenants different.

For example, often dispensationalists may be heard to say “the dispensation of Promise continues on into the Old Testament period of the Law because the nation of Israel is built on the promises of the Abrahamic covenant.” This is a perfect illustration of confusing and mixing the purposes and functions of the covenants with the dispensations.

For example, in his book Dispensationalism, chapter Three, under the paragraph heading The Matter of “Carryovers”, Ryrie seems to confuse the Noahic Covenant with the Dispensation of Human Government, when he writes, “The rainbow as a sign that God will never again bring a worldwide flood on the earth has assured, and continues to assure, mankind.”1 Ryrie is trying to say that certain elements of a dispensation may carry over into other dispensations coming later in the Bible. But the rainbow is not a sign of the Human Government dispensation, it is a sign of the Noahic Covenant!

Introductions and Limitations

Right off, I want to say that this article is calling for a challenge and dialogue on the subject. I am open for adjustments on the thoughts here presented because what will be stated may be somewhat different than our normal approach as to how the dispensations and covenants work. But I trust

CTJ 2:7 (December 1998) p. 406

that the article is true to the Scriptures and that it helps clarify areas of some confusion.

Most dispensationalists would argue that the dispensations are not measured by, defined by, nor limited to periods of time. But I believe that a period of time can be an important part of the theological definition of a dispensation. And I believe that this article may demonstrate that time is indeed a crucial factor in how a dispensation may work. Granted, the idea of a time period is not embedded in the word oikonomia itself.

Being a Calvinist, I believe that all things happen through the agencies of God’s providence and sovereignty. That includes, of course, the establishment of the dispensations and covena...

visitor : : uid: ()