Journal: Grace Journal
Volume: GJ 06:3 (Fall 1965)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

GJ 6:3 (Fall 65) p. 43

Book Reviews

Dispensationalism Today. By Charles Caldwell Ryrie. Moody Press, Chicago, 1965. 221 pp., $3.95.

The well-known dean of the graduate school of Dallas Theological Seminary has presented to the evangelical world an able and scholarly apologetic for contemporary dispensationalism. His stated purposes in writing are “(1) to try to correct the misconceptions about dispensationalism and thus to allay the suspicions about it and (2) to give a positive presentation of dispensationalism as it is being taught today” (p. 9).

First, he shows that dispensationalism has been a help to Biblical Interpretation, not an unscriptural heresy, as some have charged. He then defines a dispensation as “a distinguishable economy in the outworking of God’s purpose” (p. 29) and states that the distinctive marks of dispensationalism are three: (1) Israel and the church are distinct; (2) Literal, plain interpretation in all passages is the norm; (3) The underlying purpose of God in the world is not salvation (covenant theology), but rather the glory of God (pp. 44–46). He accepts the view of seven dispensations, although stating that the exact number and names are relatively minor (ch. 3). He denies the charge that dispensationalism is a recent innovation and is divisive in nature (ch. 4). He denies the charge that dispensationalists (either older or contemporary) teach two or more ways of salvation. He says that a test of a dispensation should not be confused with the way of salvation (p. 125). He writes: “The basis of salvation in every age is the death of Christ; the requirement for salvation in every age is faith; the object of faith in every age is God; the content of faith changes in the various dispensations” (p. 123). He states that the distinctiveness of the church is “the touchstone” of dispensationalism (p. 132). He denies the charge that the postponed kingdom made the cross theoretically unnecessary (p. 163). He then demonstrates that covenant theology is itself guilty of some of the charges which are made against dispensationalism (ch. 9; e.g., recency, unscriptural foundation, two ways of salvation, etc.). He further argues that dispensationalism should not be identified whatsoever with ultradispensationalism (ch. 10). He then concludes with a plea for integrity and matters of priority in evangelical debate (ch. 11). The main causes for the attacks against dispensationalism have been misrepresentations by non-dispensationalists and unguarded statements made by dispensationalists.

All ministers and alert laymen (both dispensational and non-dispensational) should add this book to their personal libraries. It should be required reading for all courses in contemporary theology. No doubt the publication of this book will cause other books and a...