Evaluating the Missions Agency’s Doctrinal Statement on Dispensationalism
The doctrinal statement on BMW’s website reflects a classic dispensational perspective, emphasizing a distinction between dispensations as “divinely ordered stewardships” and affirming a continuity of salvation by grace through faith in every dispensation:
(Captured from https://biblicalministries.org/Files/Doctrinal%20Statement.pdf November 28, 2024)
While commendable in maintaining that salvation is always by grace through faith, the system it advocates introduces interpretive issues and theological dangers that diverge from a biblical and covenantal understanding of redemptive history.
Critique of Dispensational Claims
Literalism and Hermeneutics
The statement appeals to a “natural, literal sense” of Scripture, implying that this approach necessitates dispensational divisions. However, this oversimplifies biblical interpretation. A strictly literal hermeneutic often fails to account for the Bible’s use of typology, symbolism, and progressive revelation.
For instance, the promises to Abraham about his offspring (Genesis 12:7) are clarified in the New Testament as fulfilled in Christ and His Church (Galatians 3:16, 29). A rigid literalism can obscure the unity of Scripture by focusing on surface-level meanings instead of how all Scripture points to Christ (Luke 24:27, 44).
Divinely Determined Dispensations
While the Bible does reveal varying administrations in God’s dealings with humanity, the concept of distinct “dispensations” as articulated in dispensational theology overemphasizes discontinuity.
For example, the statement references passages like Ephesians 1:10 and 3:2-10 as proof of dispensational divisions, but these texts speak to God’s eternal purpose to unite all things in Christ, not a fragmented history divided into unrelated eras.
Covenant Theology, by contrast, highlights the unfolding of one overarching covenant of grace fulfilled in Christ.
Israel and the Church
A hallmark of dispensationalism is its distinction between Israel and the Church, with the expectation of a future restoration of national Israel in a millennial kingdom. This framework often misunderstands how the New Testament interprets Old Testament promises.
The apostles consistently teach that the Church, comprised of Jew and Gentile believers, is the true Israel of God (Galatians 6:16; Romans 9:6-8; Ephesians 2:11-22). The promises to Israel are fulfilled in Christ and extended to His people, the Church. This reality undermines the dispensational expectation of a separate earthly destiny for ethnic Israel.
Eschatological Implications
Dispensationalism’s influence on eschatology often leads to an overemphasis on speculative future events, such as a literal 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth (Revelation 20:2-6).
An amillennial approach, by contrast, sees Revelation 20 as symbolic of Christ’s current reign through His Church, awaiting consummation at His return.
Dispensational eschatology can lead to an undue focus on geopolitical events and a diminished view of the already-present Kingdom of God (Matthew 12:28; Colossians 1:13).
A Biblical Approach to Redemptive History
A covenantal perspective, rooted in Scripture, provides a more coherent and Christ-centered understanding of God’s dealings with humanity:
Unity of God’s Purpose
From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture unfolds God’s single, unified purpose: the redemption of His people through Christ. Covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David culminate in the New Covenant in Christ, which fulfills all previous covenants (Hebrews 8:6-13).
Typology and Fulfillment
Biblical typology reveals that the Old Testament is full of shadows pointing to Christ (Hebrews 10:1). The temple, sacrifices, and nation of Israel find their ultimate meaning and fulfillment in Him (John 2:19-21; Hebrews 9:11-14). Such fulfillment transcends a rigidly literal reading.
The Church as the Fulfilled Israel
Far from being a parenthesis, the Church is the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel. Paul explicitly states that the Gentiles are grafted into the olive tree of Israel (Romans 11:17-24) and that Christ has broken down the dividing wall to create one new man (Ephesians 2:14-16).
Eschatology Rooted in Christ’s Reign
Amillennialism teaches that Christ is reigning now, His Kingdom advancing through the Church, with a focus on proclaiming the gospel and living in anticipation of the new heavens and new earth. This view is firmly grounded in the “already/not yet” tension of Scripture (Mark 1:15; Romans 8:18-25).
Dangers of Dispensationalism
Fragmentation of Scripture
Dispensationalism risks undermining the unity of God’s Word, treating Scripture as a collection of unrelated dispensations rather than a coherent narrative centered on Christ.
Misplaced Focus
Its eschatology often encourages speculation about the future, distracting from the Church’s mission to proclaim the gospel and live faithfully in the present.
Undermining the Church’s Identity
By separating Israel and the Church, dispensationalism diminishes the Church’s role as the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, potentially fostering a dualistic view of God’s people.
Conclusion
A more biblical approach sees redemptive history through the lens of Covenant Theology, where Christ is the fulfillment of all God’s promises. This view preserves the unity of Scripture, the centrality of Christ, and the mission of the Church to proclaim His Kingdom until He returns in glory.
Far from dividing history into dispensations, we should celebrate the unfolding story of God’s grace, which finds its climax and consummation in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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