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Sometimes detractors of the literal interpretation method are actually discussing “Letterism”, which is the hyper-literal interpretation method that developed in Judaism [1]. This is the method of interpretation that puts much focus on the individual letters or words in a passage of scripture at the expense of the context. This approach began with the rightContinue reading “Letterism”

“Allegorical interpretation believes that beneath the letter or the obvious is the real meaning of the passage.” [1] The idea of an allegory is that the author is trying to communicate a message underneath the actual narrative. Often a writer will reveal that the work is intended to be allegorical, or will give clues toContinue reading “Spiritual or Allegorical Interpretation”

“The literal method of interpretation is that method that gives to each word the same basic meaning it would have in normal, ordinary, customary usage, whether employed in writing, speaking or thinking.” [1] In essence, the literal interpretation method is that which treats scripture as any other literature, interpreted based on the rules of grammar.Continue reading “Literal Interpretation”

Why would the development of dispensationalism be undertaken? Can one not simply read the whole of scripture and apply it directly to his or her life? The reason dispensationalism was formulated, aside from the scriptural support previously discussed, is that all scripture is not equally directly applicable to believers today. For example, the dietary lawsContinue reading “Why Dispensations?”

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 aContinue reading “What Defines a Dispensation?”

Consider Ephesians 1:10, here taken from the NKJV; “that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.” Here the word oikonomian is used not as a stewardship to a specific person but inContinue reading “What is a Dispensation Part 2”

It’s hard to know where to start with a study into dispensationalism, given the vastness of this topic. So, I’ll try to begin with scripture. The word ‘dispensation’ does appear in scripture, depending on the translation you are reading. The Greek word, oikonomian, occurs nine times in scripture, listed below. Twice this is translated asContinue reading “What is a Dispensation?”