Comparison chart Covenant Theology vs. Dispensationalism

[Christian Gedge]

Here is a brief comparison showing the main differences between covenant theology and dispensational theology, nice and impartial.

Dispensationalism

1. God has two distinct people – Israel and the Church.
2. The Church age was a parenthesis in God’s dealing with Israel.
3. God’s promises to Israel were postponed till after the rapture.
4. After a Jewish tribulation revival, their ‘dispensation’ will resume.
5. Worship in the millennium includes re-instituted temple sacrifice.
6. The promised temple is an example of what must yet be fulfilled.
7. Modern Israel proves not all promises are fulfilled in the Church.

Covenant Theology

1. God has always only had but one spiritual people.
2. The Church (incl. Jew & Gentile) actually is true Israel.
3. God’s promises to Israel are fulfilled in Christ’s Church.
4. There will be a revival of Jews but it will be into the Church.
5. Redemption is in the cross and sacrifice is finished forever.
6. Even if a temple gets rebuilt it is unnecessary and irrelevant.
7. The modern restoration of the nation of Israel is coincidental.

Note on #1: When dispensationalists say God has two people, they are referring to Israel (an ethnic group) and the Church. (a spiritual group) When covenant theology says God has one people they are referring to ‘Spiritual Israel’ (a single entity consisting of saints from every tribe)

Note on #3: Covenant theology applies the geographical land promises to the Church figuratively.

Note on #5: Dispensationalists either infer or state that the entire levitical system will be repeated in the Millennium. Moderates think that it will simply serve as a ‘reminder’ of Christ’s death. Extreme dispensationalists infer that it will be the basis of millennium atonement. In either case all disps. accord an elite position to ethnic Israel in the millennium.

 

[jgr]

Here is a brief comparison showing the main differences between covenant theology and dispensational theology, nice and impartial.

Dispensationalism

1. God has two distinct people – Israel and the Church.
2. The Church age was a parenthesis in God’s dealing with Israel.
3. God’s promises to Israel were postponed till after the rapture.
4. After a Jewish tribulation revival, their ‘dispensation’ will resume.
5. Worship in the millennium includes re-instituted temple sacrifice.
6. The promised temple is an example of what must yet be fulfilled.
7. Modern Israel proves not all promises are fulfilled in the Church.

Covenant Theology

1. God has always only had but one spiritual people.
2. The Church (incl. Jew & Gentile) actually is true Israel.
3. God’s promises to Israel are fulfilled in Christ’s Church.
4. There will be a revival of Jews but it will be into the Church.
5. Redemption is in the cross and sacrifice is finished forever.
6. Even if a temple gets rebuilt it is unnecessary and irrelevant.
7. The modern restoration of the nation of Israel is coincidental.

Note on #1: When dispensationalists say God has two people, they are referring to Israel (an ethnic group) and the Church. (a spiritual group) When covenant theology says God has one people they are referring to ‘Spiritual Israel’ (a single entity consisting of saints from every tribe)

Note on #3: Covenant theology applies the geographical land promises to the Church figuratively.

Note on #5: Dispensationalists either infer or state that the entire levitical system will be repeated in the Millennium. Moderates think that it will simply serve as a ‘reminder’ of Christ’s death. Extreme dispensationalists infer that it will be the basis of millennium atonement. In either case all disps. accord an elite position to ethnic Israel in the millennium.

Dispens fail or refuse to understand genetic reality:

Abraham lineage

DNA Tests Could Fulfill God’s Promise to Abraham by Revealing Millions of Jews. But How Jewish is Jewish Enough?

Israel in all of Us? Research finds 'Jewish genes' in unusual places

Genetically, Israel exists in the entire human race on planet earth. How does God distinguish and identify His Own Israel, the true Israel, the only Israel in which He has any interest?

The same way He only ever has -- by their faith and obedience. AKA by whether they belong to His true Church.

 

[1stcenturylady]

Here is a brief comparison showing the main differences between covenant theology and dispensational theology, nice and impartial.

Dispensationalism

1. God has two distinct people – Israel and the Church.
2. The Church age was a parenthesis in God’s dealing with Israel.
3. God’s promises to Israel were postponed till after the rapture.
4. After a Jewish tribulation revival, their ‘dispensation’ will resume.
5. Worship in the millennium includes re-instituted temple sacrifice.
6. The promised temple is an example of what must yet be fulfilled.
7. Modern Israel proves not all promises are fulfilled in the Church.

Covenant Theology

1. God has always only had but one spiritual people.
2. The Church (incl. Jew & Gentile) actually is true Israel.
3. God’s promises to Israel are fulfilled in Christ’s Church.
4. There will be a revival of Jews but it will be into the Church.
5. Redemption is in the cross and sacrifice is finished forever.
6. Even if a temple gets rebuilt it is unnecessary and irrelevant.
7. The modern restoration of the nation of Israel is coincidental.

Note on #1: When dispensationalists say God has two people, they are referring to Israel (an ethnic group) and the Church. (a spiritual group) When covenant theology says God has one people they are referring to ‘Spiritual Israel’ (a single entity consisting of saints from every tribe)

Note on #3: Covenant theology applies the geographical land promises to the Church figuratively.

Note on #5: Dispensationalists either infer or state that the entire levitical system will be repeated in the Millennium. Moderates think that it will simply serve as a ‘reminder’ of Christ’s death. Extreme dispensationalists infer that it will be the basis of millennium atonement. In either case all disps. accord an elite position to ethnic Israel in the millennium.

Which one is referred to as "replacement theology"?

 

[jgr]

Which one is referred to as "replacement theology"?

Properly, dispensationalism, which attempts to replace one people of God with two.

 

[1stcenturylady]

Here is a brief comparison showing the main differences between covenant theology and dispensational theology, nice and impartial.

Dispensationalism

1. God has two distinct people – Israel and the Church.
2. The Church age was a parenthesis in God’s dealing with Israel.
3. God’s promises to Israel were postponed till after the rapture.
4. After a Jewish tribulation revival, their ‘dispensation’ will resume.
5. Worship in the millennium includes re-instituted temple sacrifice.
6. The promised temple is an example of what must yet be fulfilled.
7. Modern Israel proves not all promises are fulfilled in the Church.

Covenant Theology

1. God has always only had but one spiritual people.
2. The Church (incl. Jew & Gentile) actually is true Israel.
3. God’s promises to Israel are fulfilled in Christ’s Church.
4. There will be a revival of Jews but it will be into the Church.
5. Redemption is in the cross and sacrifice is finished forever.
6. Even if a temple gets rebuilt it is unnecessary and irrelevant.
7. The modern restoration of the nation of Israel is coincidental.

Note on #1: When dispensationalists say God has two people, they are referring to Israel (an ethnic group) and the Church. (a spiritual group) When covenant theology says God has one people they are referring to ‘Spiritual Israel’ (a single entity consisting of saints from every tribe)

Note on #3: Covenant theology applies the geographical land promises to the Church figuratively.

Note on #5: Dispensationalists either infer or state that the entire levitical system will be repeated in the Millennium. Moderates think that it will simply serve as a ‘reminder’ of Christ’s death. Extreme dispensationalists infer that it will be the basis of millennium atonement. In either case all disps. accord an elite position to ethnic Israel in the millennium.

It looks like I am covenant theology, except for number 7 in each. I do not believe it is merely a coincidence that national Jews became a nation without God's help. Also the 7 day war in '67 to regain Jerusalem was also God driven. I'm post-trib. and believe the last week of Daniel is for national Israel to come into the Church, and also no more Gentiles will come into the church ending at the beginning of that last seven years.

 

[Christian Gedge]

Which one is referred to as "replacement theology"?

Covt. Theology often gets that pejorative. In actual fact, C.T. believes in "continuation theology" because it teaches that the true Israel of God continued, but with the Gentile believers being added to them.

 

[jgr]

It looks like I am covenant theology, except for number 7 in each. I do not believe it is merely a coincidence that national Jews became a nation without God's help. Also the 7 day war in '67 to regain Jerusalem was also God driven. I'm post-trib. and believe the last week of Daniel is for national Israel to come into the Church, and also no more Gentiles will come into the church ending at the beginning of that last seven years.

Ethnicity never was one of God's criteria, and with no ethnic distinctions being possible (post #2), it even more reinforces the truth that faith and obedience are all that matter to Him. Israel is a creation of past military and political subterfuge, and is maintained today by American financial and military transfusions and infusions. Except for the true believers within it, it bears no relationship to God's Own Israel, His only chosen people, those of faith and obedience, His Church.

 

[1stcenturylady]

Ethnicity never was one of God's criteria, and with no ethnic distinctions being possible (post #2), it even more reinforces the truth that faith and obedience are all that matter to Him. Israel is a creation of past military and political subterfuge, and is maintained today by American financial and military transfusions and infusions. Except for the true believers within it, it bears no relationship to God's Own Israel, His only chosen people, those of faith and obedience, His Church.

You're not giving room for Romans 11, which Paul warned us about.

 

[jgr]

You're not giving room for Romans 11, which Paul warned us about.

The true Israel of Romans 11 is the Israel of faith and obedience. Paul distinguishes that Israel previously in Romans 9:6-8.

 

[1stcenturylady]

The true Israel of Romans 11 is the Israel of faith and obedience. Paul distinguishes that Israel previously in Romans 9:6-8.

Yes, but do you see that national Israel is only blinded until the fullness of the Gentiles comes into the Church/Spiritual Israel. I believe that is when the blindness is removed from national Israel and those last 7 years of Daniel 9 will be fulfilled by all Israel being saved, including national Israel alive at that time.

 

[jgr]

Yes, but do you see that national Israel is only blinded until the fullness of the Gentiles comes into the Church/Spiritual Israel. I believe that is when the blindness is removed from national Israel and those last 7 years of Daniel 9 will be fulfilled by all Israel being saved, including national Israel alive at that time.

How do you identify national Israel? What are the criteria that you use?

 

[Christian Gedge]

To explain New Testament understanding of the true Israel of God, I would like to offer this simple diagram. As you can see, there is only one 'People of God.' No one gets replaced as the old 'replacement theology' bogey tries to make out. However, believing Gentiles are grafted in after the Cross. The true Israel of God gets bigger, and bigger, and bigger.

Also, I acknowledge that scripture points to an in-gathering of Jews to Christ prior the 2nd coming. In this regard covenant theology need to adjust its view.

 

[jgr]

To explain New Testament understanding of the true Israel of God, I would like to offer this simple diagram. As you can see, there is only one 'People of God.' No one gets replaced as the old 'replacement theology' bogey tries to make out. However, believing Gentiles are grafted in after the Cross. The true Israel of God gets bigger, and bigger, and bigger.

Also, I acknowledge that scripture points to an in-gathering of Jews to Christ prior the 2nd coming. In this regard covenant theology need to adjust its view.

If every human on planet earth now possesses some amount of Abraham's DNA (as the Jewish community itself acknowledges from the links I provided), then what criteria would God use to determine who is included in the ingathering?

Wouldn't those criteria be the same as they have always been -- faith and obedience?

 

[Doug Melven]

Israel always was an example of what God wanted to do for everyone.

He delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt.
He delivered us from the bondage of sin.
Israel had many problems before entering the Promised Land. We have many problems before attaining that victorious Christian walk God wants for all believers.
Israel finally entered the Promised Land.
We rest in Christ. See Hebrews 4
Israel went into captivity because of sin and was evicted from the Promised Land.
We believers can get caught up in sin and lose the joy of salvation.

God still has a plan for Israel according to Romans 11.
Chapters 9 & 10 talk about believers being spiritual Israel.
Then Paul starts Chapter 11 with
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
This verse is clearly referring to national Israel.

 

[jgr]

Israel always was an example of what God wanted to do for everyone.

He delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt.
He delivered us from the bondage of sin.
Israel had many problems before entering the Promised Land. We have many problems before attaining that victorious Christian walk God wants for all believers.
Israel finally entered the Promised Land.
We rest in Christ. See Hebrews 4
Israel went into captivity because of sin and was evicted from the Promised Land.
We believers can get caught up in sin and lose the joy of salvation.

God still has a plan for Israel according to Romans 11.
Chapters 9 & 10 talk about believers being spiritual Israel.
Then Paul starts Chapter 11 with
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
This verse is clearly referring to national Israel.

Romans 11
2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,
3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

1 Peter 1
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

"His people which He foreknew" is a reference to true believers, represented by the "7000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal", and further characterized as the "remnant" and the "elect", which are also references to true believers.

Romans 10
21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

The last verse of Romans 10 is a reference to national Israel. As disobedient and gainsaying, they will be cast away, except for those who repent and believe. At the beginning of Romans 11, Paul acknowledges that ethnically he is a citizen of disobedient and gainsaying national Israel, so he inquires whether he is among those who will be cast away. But he then immediately distinguishes himself and all true believers as "His people which He foreknew", and the "elect", and the "remnant". These will not be cast away, even though they are citizens of the disobedient and gainsaying national Israel who will be cast away.

Romans 11:23 further describes the condition which must be met to be included in God's Own Israel, all true believers.

The Romans 11 chapter continues to clarify the definition of God's Own Israel, all true believers, which is found earlier in Romans 2:28-29 and 9:6-8.

 

[Doug Melven]

The last verse of Romans 10 is a reference to national Israel. As disobedient and gainsaying, they will be cast away, except for those who repent and believe. At the beginning of Romans 11, Paul acknowledges that ethnically he is a citizen of disobedient and gainsaying national Israel, so he inquires whether he is among those who will be cast away. But he then immediately distinguishes himself and all true believers as "His people which He foreknew", and the "elect", and the "remnant". These will not be cast away, even though they are citizens of the disobedient and gainsaying national Israel who will be cast away.

Romans 10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
10:20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
10:21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

When you look at these verses together it is clear Paul is asking if God has cast away national Israel.
To think Paul would be asking if God was going to cast away spiritual Israel is wrong.

For any Israelite today to be saved, they must still trust in Christ.
But, God is still not done with National Israel yet.
Just as God has more for the believer today, so He must have a plan for Israel yet.
Remember Israel was just an example of what God wanted to do for everyone.

 

[jgr]

Romans 10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
10:20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
10:21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

When you look at these verses together it is clear Paul is asking if God has cast away national Israel.
To think Paul would be asking if God was going to cast away spiritual Israel is wrong.

For any Israelite today to be saved, they must still trust in Christ.
But, God is still not done with National Israel yet.
Just as God has more for the believer today, so He must have a plan for Israel yet.
Remember Israel was just an example of what God wanted to do for everyone.

Paul's rhetorical question was whether God was going to cast away spiritual Israel (of which he was one) along with national Israel (of which he also was one), i.e. "throw out the baby with the bathwater". He of course knew the answer. He wanted to ensure that all others, believer and unbeliever alike, knew the answer as well. Thus he elaborated further, using the terms and concepts of foreknowledge, election, and the remnant to reinforce his arguments, and to distinguish between the two Israels.

If one believes national Israel has significance, then one must precisely define who national Israel is. What are the criteria that God uses to distinguish and determine who is, and who is not, included in national Israel?

Scripture tells us in Romans 2:28-29; 9:6-8; chapter 11; Galatians 3:28-29; et al; the criteria that He uses to determine who is included in the Israel that He recognizes.

Those criteria are the ones that He has always used: faith and obedience.

Nationality and ethnicity are irrelevant.

 

[CallofChrist]

1 Peter 2:5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

The "rebuilt temple" is in some sense all believers

 

[jgr]

1 Peter 2:5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

The "rebuilt temple" is in some sense all believers

It is that in the New Testament sense, which is the only sense prevailing since Pentecost, and the only sense that makes sense.

 

[Biblewriter]

1 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. Romans 9:1-5


Here, in wordt too plain to misunderstand, The Holy Spitit explicitly states that "the promises" STILL pertain to Paul's ""brethren," his, "countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites."

The wording could not be more clear.