What are the key features of a dispensation? Why are there seven dispensations in classical dispensationalism?
Obviously, new revelation isn’t in and of itself the defining feature of a new dispensation, else every time God spoke through a prophet a new dispensation would begin.
The defining characteristic of a dispensation is that God has a specific method of governing the world, which He reveals, and mankind has a responsibility to Him to obey [1].
When God gave the law, it defined the primary responsibility for the nation of Israel in approaching Him, in living justly, in moral living, and many other aspects of life. That doesn’t mean that God never spoke to the people again, but many of the prophets spoke as God directed to bring the people back to His law and to Himself.
When Christ came, and more specifically when He died and rose again, He brought in something new. Paul spoke of this truth: [2]
“for you are not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:14
“Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?” Galatians 4:21
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Galatians 5:18
The New Testament is clear that believers today are not under the law. There must then have been a change in how God relates to mankind if He no longer requires believers to follow the law He gave. Dispensationalists submit that this change is a change in dispensation; covenant theologians instead insist that this change is one of covenants.
For now it is sufficient to note that there is a clear distinction between the time of Israel under the law and the current age, thus delineating the two.
Also taught in scripture is a thousand year reign of Christ, referred to as the millennium (e.g. Revelation 19:4). This will be a time when Christ reigns visibly over the whole earth, when the earth will be physically remade to conditions similar to Eden, when sin will be judged immediately and righteousness will reign. This, then, is another distinct time where God relates to mankind in a particular way that differs from previous times.
Further, it is obvious that God related to mankind differently before the law was given than after.
It is equally obvious that God related to mankind differently before and after the fall in the garden.
This delineates five dispensations or periods of God’s administration of humanity. It isn’t a great stretch to see a change after the flood, with God allowing for the eating of meat and commanding that murderers be put to death (Genesis 9:1-7). It also isn’t a stretch to see a change with the call of Abraham and the promises given to him (Genesis 12:1-3). This brings the number of dispensations to the classical number of seven.
[1] C. C. Ryrie, 2007. Dispensationalism. Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois.
[2] New King James Version, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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