Dr. Couch, how does one determine which elements of a previous
dispensation are still applicable in a subsequent dispensation? For
example, Paul says that the dietary laws are no longer applicable in the
age of grace. But the laws ordaining capital punishment from the OT are
still in effect. Is there a systematic way of determining these
differences?
ANSWER: Observation, observation, observation! There are certain things that
continue through the Bible. For example, salvation is always by faith;
example: Abraham. He was made righteous by his trust in what God said.
God's mercy continues in all of the dispensations. Morality remains the
same.
However, you mentioned capital punishment. Since we are no longer
under the law should there be capital punishment? Remember capital
punishment was initiated in Genesis 9:5-6 before the Mosaic law. one
who takes a life forfeits his life because man is made in the image of
God (v. 6a). Therefore this principle remains; it is not tied to the
Mosaic law that came along in Exodus 20-on. Too, Paul virtually repeats
the issue of capital punishment when he says that the government "does
not bare the sword in vain" (Rom. 13:4). The government is a minister of
God, "an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil."
We discover the dispensations by observing how God, who is the author
of history, makes big historic changes in the way He deals with
humanity. Yet there are certain principles that continue on into the
next dispensation. We simply observe what remains and what changes.
But remember too, the essence of dispensationalism is not simply
historic dispensational distinctions we can all clearly see in biblical
and earth history. The essence of dispensationalism is: (1) consistent
literal interpretation from Genesis through Revelation, (2) progressive
revelation whereby God "progressively" unfolds truth in the Bible, and,
(3) Israel is not the church; there is a clear distinction between
Israel and the church.
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch,
