Medieval and Reformation Backgrounds of Dispensationalism -- By: Edward E. Hindson

Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 01:3 (Dec 1997)
Article: Medieval and Reformation Backgrounds of Dispensationalism
Author: Edward E. Hindson


Medieval and Reformation Backgrounds of Dispensationalism

Edward E. Hindson

Dean of the Institute of Biblical Studies
Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia

Introduction

Dispensationalism is not merely the product of nineteenth and twentieth century theology. Many of the concepts of dispensationalism have their roots in Medieval and Reformation theological ideas. Such matters as the seven dispensations, the distinction between Israel and the Church, the future conversion of the Jews and the invasion of Gog and Magog go back far beyond the concepts of J.N. Darby and the Plymouth Brethren.

Theological ideas grow out of each generation’s attempt to interpret the various passages of scripture. While the scripture itself is the inspired word of God, each interpretation is influenced by the social culture of those who produced it. It should not surprise us then that biblical figures such as the Antichrist, the false prophet or Gog and Magog have been variously interpreted throughout church history. Each generation has borrowed ideas and concepts from the previous generation and shaped them to fit the spirit of their times - the zeitgeist - as the Germans called it.1

Medieval Roots of Dispensationalism

Dispensationalism grew out of the heritage of Medieval eschatology and its influence upon the theological concepts of the Reformation. It did not arise in a vacuum isolated from the theological tradition of English apocalyptical hermeneutics. Rather, it developed and reshaped those ideas that were part of the theological tradition of Great Britain and the Continent.2

Many of these concepts can be traced back to the early Church fathers, rabbinical writings and Byzantine scholars. For the present study, we begin in the Middle Ages with the “Prophecy of Elijah” which divided human history into Three Eras and Six Ages. The earliest formulation (third century A.D.) is ascribed by the Talmud to Tanna debe Eliyahu (“the school of Elijah”).3 A typical early English version reads:

The World shall last sixe thousand yeeres;
Two thousand thereof shall be a vacuitie;
Two thousand the Law shall continue;
thousand more.4

Eventually the Six Ages were popularly distinguished as:

  1. Adam to Noah
  2. Noah to Abraham
  3. Abraham to David
  4. David to the Captivity
  5. Captivity to Christ
  6. Christ to last Judgment.visitor : : uid: ()