Determining The Dispensations -- By: Daniel F. Goepfrich

Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 23:66 (Spring 2019)
Article: Determining The Dispensations
Author: Daniel F. Goepfrich


Determining The Dispensations

Daniel F. Goepfrich

* Daniel F. Goepfrich, Th.M., advising professor, cloud campus; and, associate professor, Tyndale Learning Center, South Bend, Indiana

Determining the number and placement of the dispensations can become an exercise in “hair-splitting,” which really helps no one. The number of dispensations a person finds will be based, primarily, on how he defines a dispensation. In his system, Scofield (and, later, Chafer) required new revelation, human responsibility, failure, and judgment, seeing each dispensation as a self-contained unit; and, this led to the “traditional” seven dispensation system.

A dispensation is a period of time during which man is tested in respect of obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God. Seven such dispensations are distinguished in Scripture.1

Each dispensation, therefore, begins with man being divinely placed in a new position of privilege and responsibility, and each closes with the failure of man resulting in righteous judgment from God.2

On the other hand, Cone defined a dispensation as how God works simply to glorify Himself.

A dispensation is a particularly distinctive economy or administration in and by which God demonstrates or expresses His own glory.3

Without disavowing the doxological center of all things, this seems to be too broad as the Scofield/Chafer definition is too narrow. Based on his own definition, Cone concluded, “a synthetic overview accounting for God’s doxological purpose seems to unveil no less [sic] than 12 dispensational divisions,” which extend into eternity past and future.4

A more simple way to define “dispensation” is to use the base meaning of the Greek word οἰκονομία (oikonomia), which is the “administration of a household.” On this basis, Ryrie perceived a dispensation simply as how God rules this world in different ways throughout history. “A dispensation is a distinguishable economy in the outworking of God’s purpose.”5 Based on this understanding, one understands that a new dispensation begins whenever God adjusts his dealings with mankind, often by way of providing new revelation (similar to the Scofield/Chafer system); this is the position taken in this article.

To summarize: Dispensa...

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