Dispensationalism is a theological doctrinal position that interprets biblical history through distinct, sequential periods of time (dispensations) during which God’s bylaws govern that period of time.
DEFINITION: Tenets
A tenet is a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true. It is most commonly used to describe the core rules, values, or philosophies shared by members of an organization, religion, or profession.
Pronounced /ˈtɛnɪt/ (ten-it), the noun traces its origins to the Latin word tenēre ("to hold").
SOURCE: Merriam—Webster.
Common Synonyms
Principle or Rule
Belief or Conviction
Doctrine or Dogma
The key tenets of Dispensationalism include strict literal interpretation of scripture, the separation of Old and New Covenants.
The word "dispensation" comes from the Greek word oikonomia, meaning a household management, administration, or stewardship.
The doctrinal position relies on several foundational beliefs:
Distinct Historical Period Of Time:
Dispensationalists divide history into seven common eras. Each era represents a unique administration in how God interacts with the Adamic Race — Referring to the lineage of mankind descended from Adam.
The era of the Garden of Eden also called The Edenic Covenant.
The Fall of Man:
Also called The Adamic Covenant. It pronounced consequences of the disobedience and high treason that produced curses upon the Adamic race and the serpent, but also provided the Protoevangelium that the Seed — the Lord Jesus Christ — of the woman would ultimately defeat the serpent. SEE Genesis 3:14–19.
The Noahic Covenant:
Following a pattern: man is given a responsibility, fails, experiences divine judgment, and receives God's grace before the next period begins.
The Abrahamic Covenant:
An unconditional covenant made with Abraham. A Unilateral promise by God to make Abraham's descendants to become a great nation, giving them a specific land, and ultimately bless all the nations of the earth through his lineage — Genesis 12:1–3, 13:14–17, 15:1–7, 17:1–8).
The Mosaic Covenant:
Also called Sinaitic Covenant.
A conditional covenant established with the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai. God promised to be their God, on condition they obeyed His laws — Exodus 20–31.
The Davidic Covenant:
A unilateral covenant made with King David. God promised that David’s lineage and royal throne would be established forever, a promise ultimately fulfilled in the lineage of Jesus Christ (2 Samuel 7:4–17).
The New Covenant:
Although it is ratified by the Blood of Jesus Christ and represented by the New Testament, this covenant was prophesied in the Old Testament (e.g., Jeremiah 31:31–34). God promised to forgive our sins, redeem us from the power of Satan, write His law on the our hearts, and restore us permanently to Himself.