Author Archives: SB Charis

How is the word “covenant” used in scripture? The first mention of a covenant in the Bible is in Genesis 6:18, “But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.” [1]. God in this passage is declaring to NoahContinue reading “What is a Covenant, Pt. 3”

Scofield finds eight great covenants in scripture [1]: However, he doesn’t appear to provide a definition of a covenant, saying simply that these are the covenants that “condition life and salvation, and about which all scripture crystallizes” [1]. [1] C.I. Scofield, 1917. The Scofield Reference Bible. Oxford University Press, Inc, New York, New York.

One of the tenets of Covenant Theology revolves around, of course, the covenants. What, exactly, is a covenant? O. Palmer Robertson defines a covenant as “a bond in blood” [1]. He goes on to state that covenants bind people together, or bind people to God. He describes the use of the word “to cut” inContinue reading “What is a Covenant, Pt. 1”

Much as it pains me to admit, I am incapable at this time of understanding Covenant Theology. Despite spending time reading, or trying to read, books by Covenant Theologians, the fundamentals of Covenant Theology are still a complete mystery to me. What I have read is inconsistent in terms of interpretation, perplexing in the useContinue reading “Throwing in the Towel”

After the initial study documented previously, it appears that dispensationalism does describe scripture reasonably well. That, in and of itself, does not imply that dispensationalism is immediately correct, however, as there could be a more correct method of interpretation. The next area of study is planned to cover Covenant Theology. This topic is less knownContinue reading “Interim Conclusion”

Interpretation Method Dispensationalism makes strong use of a literal interpretation of scripture, as has been previously discussed. As this aligns with the general use of scripture quoted within the scriptures, it follows that any valid interpretation method should follow the literal interpretation of scriptures. In this sense dispensational teaching follows the general approach of scripturalContinue reading “Does Dispensationalism Describe Scripture? Pt 5”

1 Corinthians 12:13 explains that by the baptism of the Spirit believers are added to the church, the body of Christ. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” [1] Acts 11:15-16 explains the words ofContinue reading “Does Dispensationalism Describe Scripture? Pt 4”

One key aspect of scripture is the continual distinction between Israel and the church. Consider Romans 11:25: “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles hasContinue reading “Does Dispensationalism Describe Scripture? Pt 3”

What might be the reason for the dispensations? Just because dispensationalism seems to describe the scriptures, using a literal interpretation method as the scriptures appear to use, does not automatically make it correct. Why would God work in these various ways at various times? What is His overarching purpose? With no support at this time,Continue reading “Does Dispensationalism Describe Scripture? Pt 2”

It is obvious that different people related to God in different ways in scripture. An important question to ask is why that might be? Is it that humans devised new methods for relating to God that slowly changed over time? Or was there a change on God’s part? And if the change was on God’sContinue reading “Does Dispensationalism Describe Scripture? Pt 1”