Dispensational

Dispensationalism - Ok?

What is dispensationalism and why is it essential in the study of God's Word?

Dispensationalism is the correct approach to rightly dividing the word of God. 2Timothy 2:15 demands that we, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. We have a great need to be approved by God as a workman, thus, His word must be rightly divided.

What does it mean to rightly divide the word of God? The Bible is not a book of confusion. Yet, there are divisions. Dispensationalism is a process of rightly dividing the divsions; whether historical, theological, etc. That is the essence of dispensationalism. Not to rightly divide God's Word will leave Christians divided. There are many false approaches to biblical application due to ignoring dispensationalism. The examples are many: i.e: the Charismatic movement, evangelicalsim, ecumenicalism, Seventh Day Adventist, etc. In fact, the ignoring of dispensationalism has resulted in admiration of ideology over theology. It is foolish to think that we can be spiritually directed apart from being scripturally correct. Rightly dividing the word is the ingredient of Believers who are indeed, spiritual.

What Dispensationalism Provides?

There are believers who are disturbed by the need for dispensationalism because they think that it makes aspects of the Bible irrelevant to them. However, correct dispensationalism does not exact irrelevance on any portion of Scripture. rather, it sheds light on our need to respond correctly. It turns on the light, helping you know where you are, and where to go and not go. That is the essential benefit of dispensationalism. God works different ways at different times. Before the flood, people were vegetarians, but that does not mean that I cannot eat meat today. Neither do I need to put myself under the dietary laws given to the Old Testament Jews. Dispensationalism shows me that these laws are not meant for me to follow. This allows the Bible student to understand the spiritual and practical applications of these laws without being compelled to practice them. Dispensationalism brings a liberty from things like the law yet gives greater weight to the spiritual applications for today.

Dispensationalism believes God's word to be literal. It challenges and solves many contradictory thoughts about the Bible. Dispensationalism destroys doctrinal heresies.

If we as Christians are going to be spiritually effective in ministry and life, then we need to be scripturally infected. Thus, the demand for an understanding and application of dispensationalism is right.

Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger