INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE - WHY DISPENSATIONAL?

 

As a lawyer, and as one whose practice was centered on drafting and interpreting complex legal documents, my attention was ever focused on determining whether the “four corners of the document” were in sync and consistent with each other. By this, I mean that in interpreting the meaning of a legal document, no provision should contradict other provisions of the document. And, not only should they not contradict other provisions, all provisions of the document should be consistent with all other provisions of the document. At least, that is the goal of a competent transactional lawyer.

 

Very early in my reading and studying of Scripture, I was having a difficult time reconciling different provisions of the Word. I was proceeding on the assumption that Scripture was the Word of God, as that was what Conrad Bowman had been insistent on, but was struggling to truly believe that because of what I perceived to be, not only inconsistencies, but contradictions, within Scripture. I told myself that no competent lawyer would draft a document containing inconsistent or contradictory provisions. Certainly, God was better than the best of lawyers. So, how could it be that Scripture contained so many provisions that appeared on their face, not only to contradict other provisions, but could not be reconciled with each other? I thought, maybe I just wasn’t getting it. Understand, this was not merely an intellectual exercise on my part that was taking place. It was foundational, because I was at a pivotal point in my approach to Christ. If I was going to be a believer, one that was solid down to the bones, I had to have this dilemma satisfactorily resolved. Take, for example, the Ten Commandments. Do this, don’t do that. That was not only law, but the foundation of all the Law – the some 616 ordinances to which the Jews were supposed to adhere. Well, how could that be when Romans 6, for example, states that, “sin shall no longer have dominion over your, because you are not under law, but under grace.” I was confused.

 

Once into the dispensational interpretation of Scripture, little by little, I was able to reconcile the perceived contradictions and inconsistencies in the Word. This was particularly applicable in reconciling Mosaic Law passages in the Old Testament with Pauline epistle passages in New Testament. What I had perceived to be contradictions and inconsistencies were illusions or misconceptions. They were not real. Actually, they were different messages to different people in different ages. The promises to Israel were earthly and to that nation, applied to that age, and to that people corporately, and not to us (believers) individually in this Age of Grace. The believers under Law are the “guests” at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. We under Grace are the “Bride” at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. A fundamental difference. And, nowhere in the Old Testament does the Word speak of the Church, the ekklesia, or assembly. That gem was saved until, and to be revealed by, the Pauline epistles at the commencement at Pentecost, which signified a clear demarcation line between the Age of Law and the Age of Grace. Most importantly, nowhere in the Old Testament does the Word speak of either an indwelling Holy Spirit or union with the Messiah (Jesus Christ). Again, those gems were saved for the Church Age or Age of Grace. Now the perceived contradictions and inconsistent provisions began to fall into sync with each other. They began to flow, like a poema, or poem. Not only were they in sync and flowing together, but they now engendered a deep, humble and heartfelt appreciation on my part for the grace of God, not only for His touching me through His Spirit to develop a relationship with, and know, Jesus Christ, but to have been born and live in the Church Age, the Age of Grace. What a gift. What a blessing.

 

I certainly do not mean to imply that salvation itself rests on a dispensational interpretation of Scripture. I do mean to state that a clear and accurate interpretation of Scripture is a prerequisite for a more complete, deep, and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. In my opinion, the dispensational construction of the Word of God provides a basis for such an interpretation.

 

Yours in Christ,

 

John M. Young

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