The Problem With Dispensationalism

Cyrus Ingerson Scofield

John Nelson Darby

THE PROBLEM WITH DISPENSATIONALISM (PART 1)
Introduction to Dispensationalism


          The word dispensation comes from the root word dispense meaning to deal out, distribute, or give. The word dispense has nothing to do with time as John Nelson Darby, and Cyrus Ingerson Scofield would have you believe. The C.I. Scofield Reference Bible is the number one source for dispensationalism, however his works are heavily influenced by Darby's writings. In order to begin to understand the many different false doctrines of dispensationalism I believe we must first examine how they entered into mainstream theology, and who started them. Just about everyone who has ever been in a  baptist church has been read to out of a Scofield Study Bible. It's prevalent in bible colleges around the country, and found in every christian book store. Here are some of the major problems with this study bible.

First off, in the introduction of this study bible, Scofield starts out by saying that scholars have fixed the Textus Receptus and cleared it's inaccuracies. A person should always be weary when someone tells your that God's Word is wrong, generally that person is attempting to lead you down the wrong path.

Scofield Reference Bible 1909, Page 3
The discovery of the Sinaitic MS. and the labours in the field of textual criticism of such scholars as Griesbach, Lachmann, Tischendorf, Tregelles, Winer, Alford, and Wescott and Hort, have cleared the Greek textus receptus of minor inaccuracies, ...

I am sure my King James Bible is the perfect, preserved Word of God. Unlike all of these other versions.
Psalm 12:6-7 KJV
⁶ The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
⁷ Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

The Scofield Study Bible 1917 edition notes on Genesis 1:2 go as follows;

Genesis 1:2

 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 

without form and void
Jeremiah 4:23-27 ; Isaiah 24:1 ; 45:18 clearly indicate that the earth had undergone a cataclysmic change as the result of divine judgment. The face of the earth bears everywhere the marks of such a catastrophe. There are not wanting imitations which connect it with a previous testing and fall of angels. The first creative act refers to the dateless past, and gives scope for all the geologic ages.

Now this seems to claim the earth is millions of years old, which is commonly known as the "Gap Theory"(1 , 2). When the Inspired Word of God clearly states otherwise.

Exodus 20:11 KJV

For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

As if that is not enough to make any bible-believing christian burn Scofield's study bible here are Scofield's notes on 1 John 5:7.

1 John 5:7

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 

 v. 7 It is generally agreed that v.7 has no real authority, and has been inserted. 1 John 5:7 .
 

Wrong! I personally do not know anybody who generally agrees with that malarkey!

However if you tell a lie long enough people tend to believe it.

Scofield 1917 note:

1 John 5:8

And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.  in earth Omit "in earth."
agree Or, are to one point or purpose.

Assuming that a person did read 1 John 5:8 in the way Scofield recommends to, it changes the entire meaning of the verse. None of this is biblical and non of this makes sense. In order to allow the complete removal of verse 7 you have to read it that way. 1 John 5:7 is one of the most important verses in the entire bible to understanding the godhead. I'm pretty sure its not "generally agreed" that it "has no real authority, then Scofield goes on to say that it "has been inserted"; Who inserted it, and on what basis does he make this claim?
Obviously he believes it should have never been there. Noting that verse 7 has been inserted actually removes that verse to the reader. Think about it this way , if he had penned his own bible based off of what we just read, then I'm sure he would have stricken that verse completely; and changed verse 8. Clearly violating scripture.
Revelation 22:18-19 KJV
¹⁸ For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
¹⁹ And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

I wonder where Scofield is right now? .............. HELL I'm sure!! Therefore I just cant except these doctrines, especially doctrines that have no clear scripture to back it up. We as bible-believing Christians know the inspired Word of God is our sole authority. Being our sole authority we use it to define words, and doctrine.

Now let us examine Darby:

           John Nelson Darby was born in 1800, died in 1882 is accredited with  restoring what is called the lost New Testament teaching of a pretribulation rapture. Apparently while Darby was laid up at his sisters home from December 1827 to January 1828 he read Isaiah 32. Where he found what is called a "new dispensation". In order for his new dispensation to work there had to be a distinction between God's rule for Israel and His rule for the church, or body of Christ. So here we see the beginning of teaching a difference between the church and the Jews, Which is the most prevalent teaching of modern dispensationalist; and instrumental in supporting all of the false doctrines of dispensationalism.

This is an excerpt from a Thomas Ice article on the Pre-trib Research Center website.
This first paragraph Darby wrote:

Isaiah xxxii. it was that taught me about the new dispensation.  I saw there would be a Davidic reign, and did not know whether the church might not be removed before forty years time.  At that time I was ill with my knee.  It gave me peace to see what the church was.  I saw that I, poor, wretched, and sinful J. N. D., knowing too much yet not enough about myself, was left behind, and let go, but I was united to Christ in heaven.

Thus, Darby sees the church as distinct from Israel, since there would be a Davidic reign for Israel in the millennium, God's earthly people.  On the other hand, Darby saw that he was positionally united with Christ in heaven, a heavenly destiny.  Dispensationalists today see such a distinction as their sine qua non.  Leading dispensational spokesman Charles Ryrie says, "A dispensationalist keeps Israel and the church distinct."  Ryrie explains:

      This is probably the most basic theological test of whether or not a person is a dispensationalist, and it is undoubtedly the most practical and conclusive.  The one who fails to distinguish Israel and the church consistently will inevitably not hold to dispensational distinctions; and one who does will.

Non-dispensational, covenant theologians recognize this essential about dispensationalists as noted by Michael Williams.

The Darbyist church/Israel distinction constitutes the one great organizing principle of classical dispensationalism.  The metaphysical and historical distinction between the church and Israel is the axle upon which the theology of Darby, Scofield, and Chafer rides.  It is the one great absolutely necessary or essential element of the system.  The Darbyist metaphysical distinction between Israel and the church is the sine qua non of classical dispensational theology.

Whether dispensationalists or non-dispensationalists, all recognize for dispensationalism the importance of the distinction between God's rule for Israel and His rule for the church.

      From the time of his convalescence, Darby developed a theology that taught and supported a dispensational, premillennial, pretribulationism.  Essentially Darby came to understand that his place or position was the same as Christ, which is in heaven.  Thus, the church is a heavenly people, not an earthly people like the established church, in which he was a clergyman.  Juxtaposed to the heavenly and spiritual church was Israel, who are composed of a spiritual, ethnic, and national people on earth who have a future in God's plan after the church age.

OK did everyone get that?? Darby believed his place is the same as Christ!! All I can think of when I see that is Isaiah 14. I think it is a very dangerous thing to liken yourself with Christ. In my opinion any doctrine that does this is evil. Sounds like anyone that does such a thing is definitely earned a one way ticket to damnation.

Isaiah 14:12-15 KJV
¹² How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
¹³ For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
¹⁵ Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

 Now...Ice, Williams, and Ryrie are fully aware that in order to be a dispensationalist one must realize the distinction between God's rule for Israel, and the church, but is it scriptural?

Galatians 3:14-29 KJV
¹⁴ That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
¹⁵ Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
¹⁶ Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
¹⁷ And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
¹⁸ For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
¹⁹ Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
²⁰ Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
²¹ Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
²² But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
²³ But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
²⁴ Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
²⁵ But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
²⁶ For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
²⁷ For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
²⁹ And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

So as far as the Inspired Word of God the KJV says there is no difference, or "dispensation" if you believe on Christ, and the promise is to Christ, and to all who believe on Christ. I honestly do not think the New Testament could be any more clear. The promise was made to the seed of Abraham in Genesis 22:17-18.

Now most dispensationalist will say" the seed of Abraham are the descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel, which currently reside in the nation state of Israel".
So where is the scripture to back that up?
Galatians 3:16 clearly states: Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith NOT, And to SEEDS, as OF MANY; but as of ONE, And to THY SEED, which IS CHRIST.

So is this promise made to the nation state of Israel??, or is this promise made to Christ who is a descendant of Israel, and in turn to all who believe on him?? Remember God knows all! He declares the end from the beginning.( Isaiah 46:10 )

Now this is just one example in the New Testament, since the Word of God is our final authority on the subject lets see what Jesus has to say about the physical descendants of Abraham.

John 8:32-44 KJV
³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
³³ They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
³⁴ Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
³⁵ And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
³⁶ If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
³⁷ I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
³⁸ I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
³⁹ They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
⁴⁰ But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
⁴¹ Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
⁴² Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
⁴³ Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
⁴⁴ Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

So here we see out of the mouth of Jesus Christ, that even if you were the blood descendant of Abraham that you must believe on Christ, and you must do the will of God to have the promise of God.There is just absolutely no other way to take this scripture.
Jesus actually told the Jews in Matthew 21 that the Kingdom of God would be taken from them.

Matthew 21:42-44 KJV
⁴² Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
⁴³ Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
⁴⁴ And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

 .....Ahh so this is how the bible makes it more clear than Galatians.

So how again is there a difference in the promise between the Jew, and the church? Oh wait.... the difference is the promise is made to the ones who believe on Christ which is the church not to those who are called a Jew because they came form the land of Judea; one of the southern tribes of Israel. What does the Inspired Word of God the KJV say about those who are called Jews? Lets see..
Romans 2:28-29 KJV
²⁸ For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
²⁹ But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

So an outward Jew, one who appears to be a Jew on the outside is not a Jew; however one who believes on Jesus Christ is what Romans 2 refers to as an inward Jew, whose praise is not of men, but of God.
So now I ask who do you praise? a man or God? So if you praise God, are you not a Jew inwardly?
I think the answer is clear. Do modern day Jews even believe on Christ? No, so how then can the Jews that reside in the nation state of Israel be granted any promise at all? Who do the modern day Jews Worship?

 Let us see what Jesus says about the outward Jew..

Revelation 2:9 KJV straight out of the mouth of  Jesus Christ
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Why would Jesus speak so poorly of " his chosen people"? Well maybe because they are not his chosen people at all, maybe they do not believe in him; and maybe just maybe they had him killed....

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 KJV
¹⁴ For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
¹⁵ Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
¹⁶ Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

Well I know that I'm saved, and I also know I will not see wrath.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 KJV
⁹ For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
¹⁰ Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

 John 3:36 KJV
³⁶ He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

So the point the KJV is making here is the outward Jew is NOT a Jew to Christ, because they do not believe on Jesus Christ. Simply put the promise is to those who do believe on Christ, those saved by grace through faith alone.
Therefore the dispensation of the Pretribulation rapture proponents(Scofield, Wescott, Hort, Ice, LeHay Chafer, and Darby)makes absolutely no sense at all, unless you have the notes from the Scofield Study Bible.
Remember all of these men attribute Darby with reconstituting or finding this lost teaching of dispensationalism. I have a couple more points to drive home how evil and wrong these doctrines are.

       First of all there are a large amount of similarities between Darby's writings and ideas in comparison to the writings of Alice Baily, which link Darby to the occult. Alice Baily was an occultist who practiced theosophy, and started a nonprofit called Lucis Trust an organization teaching on the esoteric meaning of Lucifer. Alice Baily is quoted saying" Freemasonry was the purest form of Luciferianism". Baily was a proponent of a One World Religion, or global "spirit of religion", and the Age of Aquarius; which is a satanic plan to steer humanity away from God. Her writings the Ageless Wisdom Teachings are close to those of Helena Blavatsky.
Blavatsky was a Russian Occultist who started the Theosophical Society. Blavatsky's teachings seem to use the number 7 on a large scale, much like dispensationalism does with the 7 dispensations, 7 Church Ages, or 7 World; and so forth . Personally it seems very clear how the spirit of the false prophet possessed these people.

I did not wish to go into great detail over the occult connection, however I did source everything so an interested reader could do their own homework.

Now to finish the subject of Darby. I personally do not believe we should listen to anything a person who is in Hell has to say about the bible. We know that Scofield would have completely removed 1 John 5:7 if he had written the bible himself, which would remove his part out of the book of life. However Darby did write his own bible; The Holy Scriptures: A New Translation from the Original Languages by J.N. Darby.
In this bible Darby perverts doctrine, and removes verses.

Acts 8:36-38 KJV
³⁶ And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
³⁷ And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
³⁸ And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

This is the verse that gives the clear scripture on baptism, we know that we should always base our doctrine on clear scripture. If anyone reads this scripture it is very clear that in order to be baptized you must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 

Now here is Acts 8 in Darby's bible: 
Acts 8:36-38 DBY 

³⁶ And as they went along the way, they came upon a certain water, and the eunuch says, Behold water; what hinders my being baptised?

³⁸ And he commanded the chariot to stop. And they went down both to the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptised him.

37 IS MISSING , the most important part of the doctrine of  baptism is completely removed. Therefore Darby is definitely in hell.

Revelation 22:18-19 KJV

¹⁸ For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
¹⁹ And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

No Christian should ever subscribe to any doctrine started by John Nelson Darby. 

Choose ye this day whom ye serve, God, or the god of Darby, and Scofield.

We have only scratched the tip of the iceberg, in my next post we will examine, and eviscerate the 7 Dispensations (from the Scofield Study Bible); and the most commonly preached false doctrines of dispensation. 

Stay tuned....

Ephesians 6:12 KJV
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.