Having a proper, biblically informed hermeneutic is absolutely critical in importance when it comes to how we interpret Scripture. Sadly this vital subject is not widely taught in most churches. If you ask the average church goer what a biblical hermeneutic is they will give you a blank stare.
So what does a biblical hermeneutic look like?
As a dispensationalist I favor hermeneutics that interprets the Scriptures in light of historical and grammatical concerns. Also it will include what I call contextual literalism. This is not a rigid literalism that interprets every passage in a literal manner. Contextual literalism is the method of interpretating Scripture literally, preserving authorial intent, unless the immediate context, or a broader context clearly indicates otherwise. One area of biblical studies where this is often abused is in the field of biblical eschatology (study of the End Times). Those who hold to a non-dispensational hermeneutic will exegete virtually all of books such as Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation as symbolic, allegorical/metaphorical, and spiritualized.
Here are a few more key beliefs when it comes to hermeneutics.
Dispensational hermeneutics is a method of interpreting the Bible that emphasizes a literal understanding of Scripture and divides history into distinct periods, or “dispensations,” in which God interacts with humanity in different ways. This approach often highlights the separate roles of Israel and the Church and uses grammatical-historical principles to interpret biblical texts.
Some features:
Literal Interpretation of Scripture
Especially in prophecy (e.g., Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel)
Future events (e.g., tribulation, millennium) are taken literally, not symbolically
Distinct Dispensations in History
Most dispensationalists identify 7 eras in salvation history (though some list more or fewer):
- Innocence (Adam in Eden)
- Conscience (after the Fall)
- Human Government (after the Flood)
- Promise (Abraham to Moses)
- Law (Moses to Christ)
- Grace (Church Age)
- Kingdom (Millennial Reign of Christ)
In each, God reveals His will, humans are tested, and a failure leads to judgment and a new dispensation.
End Times Focus
Most dispensationalists are premillennial (Jesus returns before the 1,000-year reign).
Many hold to a pre-tribulation rapture (the Church will be taken up before a 7-year tribulation).
Sharp Distinction Between Israel and the Church
Israel is God’s earthly people with physical promises (land, kingdom, etc.).
The Church is a heavenly people with spiritual promises.
The Church does not replace Israel (rejection of supersessionism).
God’s covenant with Israel is still active and will be fulfilled in the future.
Israel and the Church
Those who hold to a dispensational hermeneutic believe that the full counsel of Scripture teaches that the state of Israel and the Church are one and the same. They may say that Israel has been evolved or replaced with the Church. They hold that all of the explicit promises God made to Israel are subsumed into the Church. This supersessionism (replacement theology) is an egregious misinterpretation of Scripture. God made unconditional promises to Israel which have yet to be fulfilled. The clear and biblical teaching is that these promises are talking about future events.
New Testament Priority
So called “New Testament priority” maintains that the proper method
for interpreting the Old Testament is through the lens of the NT.
In this scheme, our hermeneutic holds that the OT cannot be interpreted
on its own. Our interpretation of it will be colored through the propositions
of the NT. Thus if one follows a grammatical, historical, and a literal methodological framework of interpretation and apply it to a OT text, one will be forced to abandon that exegesis and to instead reformulate an interpretation which is informed through the lens of the NT. There is nothing in Scripture which defines such a hermeneutical principle. Sometimes this NT Priority will result in a antithetical conclusion which is opposite the plain meaning of the text. NT Priority proponents argue that their biblical reasoning in this matter is a priori. However nothing in Scripture explicitly says this external methodology is valid. Certainly there are prophecies in the OT that are fulfilled in the NT, however the vast majority of the OT is not so. In many instances the NT Priority proponents ignore the literal and plain meaning of Scripture and spiritualize the text to such a degree that the new interpretation would be alien to the writers of the OT. I think authorial intent trumps NT priority; a truly ad hoc and fallacious system of reasoning biblically. We arrive at a dialectic that is convoluted in the extreme.
Dispensational Hermeneutics: A Framework for Interpreting Scripture Dispensational hermeneutics is a method of interpreting the Bible that emphasizes a literal, grammatical-historical approach and recognizes distinct periods—or “dispensations”—in God’s redemptive plan. Rooted in the teachings of John Nelson Darby and popularized through the Scofield Reference Bible, this framework has shaped much of modern evangelical theology, especially in North America.
Core Principles of Dispensational Hermeneutics
- Literal Interpretation
Dispensationalists interpret Scripture according to the plain meaning of the text, unless the context clearly indicates a figurative or symbolic sense. This includes prophecy, which is often taken at face value.
Example: Isaiah 11:6 speaks of a future time when “the wolf shall dwell with the lamb.” Dispensationalists often interpret this as a literal future reality during the Millennial Kingdom. - Grammatical-Historical Method
This principle seeks to understand the original meaning of the text by examining grammar, syntax, historical context, and authorial intent.
Example: In Daniel 9:24–27, the “seventy weeks” are interpreted as seventy sets of seven years, based on the Hebrew word for “weeks” and the historical context of Israel’s exile. - Distinction Between Israel and the Church
A hallmark of dispensationalism is the belief that God has separate plans for Israel and the Church. Israel’s promises are not transferred to the Church but will be fulfilled literally in the future.
Example: Romans 11:25–27 speaks of a future restoration of Israel: “And so all Israel will be saved.” Dispensationalists see this as a literal national revival, not merely a spiritual metaphor. - Progressive Revelation Through Dispensations
History is divided into distinct periods in which God interacts with humanity in different ways. These dispensations include Innocence (Eden), Law (Moses), Grace (Church Age), and the future Kingdom (Millennium).
Example: Ephesians 1:10 refers to “the dispensation of the fullness of times,” which dispensationalists interpret as the Millennial Kingdom when Christ will reign on earth.
Examples in Practice
- Genesis 12:1–3 – The Abrahamic Covenant is seen as an unconditional promise to Israel, including land, seed, and blessing. Dispensationalists argue this covenant will be fulfilled literally in the future.
- Revelation 20:1–6 – The “thousand years” is interpreted as a literal Millennial reign of Christ on earth, distinct from the current Church Age.
- Matthew 24:15–31 – The Olivet Discourse is viewed as referring to a future Tribulation period, not the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, as some non-dispensational interpreters suggest.
Why It Matters
Dispensational hermeneutics offers a consistent interpretive method that seeks to honor the integrity of the biblical text. It provides a framework for understanding prophecy, the role of Israel, and the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan across history. While not without its critics, it remains a deeply influential approach in evangelical theology.
Dispensational and covenant theology offer two distinct lenses through which to view the overarching narrative of Scripture. Here’s a side-by-side comparison to highlight their key differences and theological implications:
1. Structure of Redemptive History
- Dispensational Theology: Divides history into distinct dispensations—periods in which God tests humanity in different ways. Typically seven are identified (e.g., Innocence, Law, Grace, Kingdom).
- Covenant Theology: Organizes redemptive history around covenants, especially the Covenant of Works (with Adam) and the Covenant of Grace (fulfilled in Christ). Some also include a Covenant of Redemption made within the Trinity before creation.
2. Israel and the Church
- Dispensationalism: Maintains a sharp distinction between Israel and the Church. God’s promises to Israel (e.g., land, kingdom) will be fulfilled literally in the future.
- Example: Romans 11:25–27 is seen as a future national restoration of Israel.
- Covenant Theology: Sees the Church as the continuation or fulfillment of Israel. Believers in Christ—Jew and Gentile—are the true Israel.
- Example: Galatians 6:16 refers to the Church as the “Israel of God.”
3. Hermeneutics (Interpretive Method)
- Dispensationalism: Emphasizes a literal, grammatical-historical interpretation, especially in prophecy.
- Example: Revelation 20:1–6 is interpreted as a literal 1,000-year reign of Christ.
- Covenant Theology: Allows for more typological and Christocentric readings of the Old Testament, seeing many promises fulfilled spiritually in Christ.
- Example: Hebrews 8–10 interprets the Old Covenant priesthood and sacrifices as types fulfilled in Jesus.
4. Eschatology (End Times)
- Dispensationalism: Often holds to a Pre-Tribulational Rapture and a literal Millennial Kingdom (Premillennialism).
- Covenant Theology: Typically leans toward Amillennialism or Postmillennialism, viewing the Millennium as symbolic of Christ’s present reign.
5. Sacraments and Law
- Dispensationalism: Sees a discontinuity in the application of the Mosaic Law; the Church is under grace, not law.
- Covenant Theology: Emphasizes continuity; the moral law (e.g., Ten Commandments) remains binding, and sacraments like baptism and the Lord’s Supper are covenant signs.
Summary Table
| Feature | Dispensationalism | Covenant Theology |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Dispensations (e.g., Law, Grace, Kingdom) | Covenants (Works, Grace, Redemption) |
| Israel & Church | Distinct entities | Church is spiritual Israel |
| Interpretation | Literal, especially in prophecy | Typological, Christ-centered |
| Eschatology | Pre-Trib Rapture, literal Millennium | Amillennial/Postmillennial |
| Law & Sacraments | Discontinuity; Church not under Mosaic Law | Continuity; moral law still applies |
Both systems aim to honor Scripture and exalt Christ, but they differ in how they trace the unity and diversity of God’s redemptive plan.
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