Part One
INTRODUCTION: 1 PROLOGUE
A DISPENSATIONAL THEOLOGY
By Charles F Baker
DEFINITION OF
THE WORD
One dictionary defines
dispensation in its theological sense as “One of the several systems or bodies
of law in which at different periods God has revealed his mind and will to man,
or the continued state of things resulting from the operation of one of these
systems; as the Mosiac dispensation.”[1]
This definition recognizes that at different periods God has revealed His mind
and will to man in various system or bodies of law. If this definition is true,
then it follows that the study of Bible dispensationally will result in noting
the differences or distinctions between these several systems or bodies of
principles by which God has governed man, as well as in seeing the
similarities. The differences, however, are much more important than the
similarities from the dispensational point of view. If, for example, the
automobile speed laws are the same in every state of the Union, it makes little
difference whether one obeys the law for Maine or for California. But if the
law differs from state to state, then it is the mark of wisdom to consult the
law of the particular state in which one is driving. The difference in this
case becomes important. However, some principles do not change but run throughout
several or all dispensations, and it is important that these similarities be
noted also.
[1] The
Practical Standard Dictionary of the English Language (New York: Funk and
Wagnalls Co., 1927).
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