Dispensation (theology)

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In theology, one meaning of the term dispensation is as a distinctive arrangement or period in history that forms the framework through which God relates to mankind.

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Baháʼí dispensations

In the Baháʼí Faith, a dispensation is a period of progressive revelation relating to the major religions of humanity, [1] usually with a prophet accompanying it. The faith's founder Bahá'u'lláh advanced the concept that dispensations tend to be millennial, mentioning in the Kitáb-i-Íqán that God will renew the "City of God" about every thousand years, [2] and specifically mentioned that a new Manifestation of God would not appear within 1,000 years (1852–2852) of the inaugurating moment of Bahá'u'lláh's Dispensation, but that the authority of Bahá'u'lláh's message could last up to 500,000 years. [3] [4]

Latter Day Saint dispensations

In the Latter Day Saint movement, a dispensation is a period of time in which God gave priesthood authority to men on the Earth through prophetic callings. Between each dispensation is an apostasy where the priesthood is at least partially absent. [5] The LDS Bible Dictionary says

A dispensation of the gospel is a period of time in which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the earth who bears the holy priesthood and the keys, and who has a divine commission to dispense the gospel to the inhabitants of the earth. [6]

Plymouth Brethren dispensations

The Plymouth Brethren systematized dispensationalism, which has since been adopted by other groups, including certain Baptists and Pentecostals. The concept of a dispensation – the arrangement of divisions in biblical history – dates back to Irenaeus in the second century. Other Christian writers and leaders since then, such as Augustine of Hippo and Joachim of Fiore (1135–1202), have also offered their own dispensation arrangements of history. [7] Below is a table comparing some of the various dispensational schemes:

Range of Bible Chapters[ citation needed ]
SchemesGenesis 1–3Genesis 3–8Genesis 9–11Genesis 12
to Exodus 19		Exodus 20 to
Acts 1		Acts 2 to
Revelation 20		Revelation 20:4–6Revelation 20–22
7 or 8 Dispensational
Scheme
Innocence
or Edenic		Conscience
or Antediluvian		Civil GovernmentPatriarchal
or Promise		Mosaic
or Law		Grace
or Church		Millennial KingdomEternal State
or Final
4 Dispensational
Scheme
PatriarchalMosaicEcclesialZionic
3 Dispensational
Scheme
(Reformed or minimalist position)		FreedomGrace (Law)Grace (Gospel)Kingdom

Although the divine revelation unfolds progressively, the deposit of truth in earlier time-periods is not discarded, rather it is cumulative. Thus conscience (moral responsibility) is an abiding truth in human life (Ro. 2:15; 9:1; 2 Co. 1:12; 4:2), although it does not continue as a dispensation. Similarly, the saved of this present dispensation are "not under law" as a specific test of obedience to divine revelation (Gal. 5:18; cp. Gal 2:16; 3:11), yet the law remains an integral part of Dispensational teaching. The Law clarifies that, although Christ fulfilled the law for us, by it we have had the knowledge of sin (Rom 7:7), and it is an integral part of the Holy Scriptures, which, to the redeemed, are profitable for "training in righteousness" (2 Ti. 3:16–17; cp. Ro. 15:4). The purpose of each dispensation, then, is to place man under a specific rule of conduct, but such stewardship is not a condition of salvation. In every past dispensation unregenerate man has failed, much like he is failing in the present dispensation, and will fail in the future until Eternity arrives. Salvation has been and will continue to be available to everyone by God's grace through faith. [8]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "The Bahá'í View of Islam". studycircle. Archived from the original on 2008-03-12.
  2. ↑ The Kitáb-i-Íqán, pg. 199.
  3. ↑ McMullen, Michael D. (2000). The Baha'i: The Religious Construction of a Global Identity. Atlanta, Georgia: Rutgers University Press. p. 7. ISBN   0-8135-2836-4.
  4. ↑ The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, gr. 37.
  5. ↑ "Lesson 2: The Priesthood from Adam to the Restoration", Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood: Basic Manual for Priesthood Holders, Part A, LDS Church, 2000
  6. ↑ "Dispensations", Bible Dictionary, LDS edition of the Bible, LDS Church
  7. ↑ Blaising, Craig A.; Darrell L. Bock (1993). Progressive Dispensationalism. Wheaton, IL: BridgePoint. ISBN   1-56476-138-X. p. 116
  8. ↑ The New Scofield Study Bible, 1984, pg. 3–4
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