Dispensationalism interprets the Scriptures by the literal, grammatical-historical method. It follows a single hermeneutic.

1. Dispensationalism interprets the Scriptures by the literal, grammatical-historical method. It follows a single hermeneutic.
Literal words have their normal, ordinary, customary meaning.
Grammatical terms and sentences are interpreted in keeping with normal, accepted grammatical rules.
Historical terms and phrases have their usual historical usage.
Contextual each word and phrase must be interpreted according to its use in the context.
a. THE GOLDEN RULE OF INTERPRETATION: When the plain literal sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense. (When the literal sense of Scripture makes good sense, seek no figurative sense).
b. The literal method of interpretation does not rule out figures of speech, symbols, allegories, etc., which are a common part of all languages.
c. Advantages of Literal Interpretation.
n It grounds the interpretation in fact.
n It exercises a control over interpretation.
n It gives a basic authority by which interpretation can be tested.
n It delivers from mysticism and rationalism as the means of interpretation. One does not have to depend upon intellectual abilities or training, or upon the development of mystical perception.
n It prevents violation of accepted rules of grammar.
d. Procedures in studying the Bible.
–Observe the facts (what the writer has said).
–Interpret the meaning (what the writer meant by what he said).
–Correlate the information (in an orderly, understandable form).
–Apply the lesson (the truths to your own life).
e. Look for:
· WHO? persons involve ed.
· WHEN? time of events
· WHERE? places of events
· WHAT? facts, events
· HOW? way, manner, method
· WHY? reasons, relationships
2. The second basic principle of Dispensationalism is that of revelation is progressive.
God does not reveal all of the truth about a given subject at once. He reveals a little and adds to it later. Furthermore, what God says to a people on a given occasion or time does not necessarily apply to all people at all times.
Harold G. Mackay wrote, “The Bible is a progressive revelation from God to man, extending from Eden to Eternity, and revealing the divine purpose for man. That purpose is worked out in various successive, progressive stages. Those stages are the different dispensations with their distinctive revelations from God, responsibilities for man, and administrations by God. Together they form God’s unified program of the ages” (Countdown to Eternity, p. 14).
II. Definitions
Dispensation:
a. C. I. Scofield –“A dispensation is a period of time during which man is tested in respect to his obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God.”
b. Nathan Morgan –“An economy or period of administration during which God deals with a specific group of mankind as to their obedience to definite revelations of His will and judges them accordingly. It will be seen that a dispensation is a definite period related to the progressive revelation of God’s will, expressly adapted to the needs of a particular people or period of time.”
c. Clarence E. Mason, Jr. – “An dispensation is a divinely established stewardship of a particular revelation of God’s mind and will, which is instituted in the first instance with a new age and which brings added responsibility to the whole race of men or that portion of the race to whom the revelation is particularly given by God.”
d. Charles C. Ryrie – “Dispensationalism views the world as a household run by God. Ion this household-world, God is dispensing or administering its affairs according to His own will and in various stages of revelation in the process of time.” The different economies in the outworking of God’s total purpose are the dispensations.”
e. Carlton Long – “In the administrative rule of God over the human race, there have been different periods of stewardship for man in which God has tested him according to the progressive revelation of His will. These periods of stewardship are called dispensations.”
Classic Dispensationalism: The system of theology which (1) follows a consistently literal or normal interpretation of Scripture: (2) see distinctions between God’s program with Israel and His program with the church: and (3) see distinguishable economies or rules of life in the outworking of God’s primary purposes in the world which is to bring glory to Himself.