Dispensationalism

If you want to understand Dispensationalism, especially Classical Dispensationalism, this is the book to buy. Dr. Ryrie has taught at Dallas Theological Seminary for nearly 50 years and is the source cited by current books on Dispensationalism for what is now know as Classical Dispensationalism, in comparison to Progressive Dispensationalism. All the books on Progressive Dispensationalism cite Ryrie. Ryrie shows the historical background in ancient, medieval, and modern theological church history for this method of interpreting the Bible. Critics of Dispensationalism often trace Dispensationalism only to the 19th century British Isles. It goes back much further than that. The three assumptions are the same he makes in other books for Dispensationalism: a consistent, as literal as possible hermeneutic; the application of that hermeneutic to the covenants of the Bible; and the clear distinction between Israel and the Church. Even those who do not agree with Ryrie's theological method quote him with great respect. Every student of Biblical Eschatology needs this important book. Dr. James W. Bryant Senior Professor of Pastoral Theology The Criswell College Dallas, Texas

I gave it 5 stars because there is nothing out there to compare it too at this moment. The movement that classic dispensationalism has had on theology has truly been illumination from the Holy Spirit. Back in the 1800's no one at an academic/theological level was recognizing the promises to a literal Israel until men like Darby, Scofield, Chafer and Ironside stepped on the seen preparing the way in the early 1900's for the establishment of the literal nation of Israel. Just look back at 1948. Israel is there waiting for the 2nd coming of their messiah which will not occur until they "recognize Him whom they have pierced". Obviously that statement does not apply to the church. Once we're in the Body of Christ the book of life is signed, we are sealed and delivered. Ryrie touches on the crucial subject regarding salvation through out progressive revelation and he rejects the accusations people make regarding the false claims that dispensationalism teaches various ways of salvation (another helpful book on salvation through out progressive revelation is that of Erich Sauer entitled "From Eternity to Eternity"). Ryrie also sheds light on the extreme views of Ultradispensationalism and the new yet popular view of progressive dispensationalism. This book will give you a greater understanding of the theological system of dispensationalism today. Of course it is not inspired like the Bible. The author never claimed to be infallible, in fact his humility is clearly seen when he states that the "names of the 7 dispensations are not inspired" but they're a good way of understanding bible prophecy. If anyone else has a better system in understanding Bible prophecy please feel free to write a book and share it with us. We really need to know. This book is worth the $$$.

Mr. Ryrie goes over the fundamental tenets of classic dispensationalism in a non-threatening, scholarly way. Misconceptions about dispensationalism and soteriology (the study of salvation) are dealt with and explained. If you were to only get one text to review dispensational thought, get this one. Too many texts that put down dispensationalism are extremely vitriolic and lacking in accuracy. Ryrie is a good balance to these, demonstrating Christian love as well. A nice follow-up to this book is "Issues in Dispensationalism" (1994, Moody Publishing) which compares classic and progressive dispensationalism as well as examines major themes in dispensationalism. A word of warning on the second book though, the reading level is very "scholarly".

This is the textbook on dispensationalism written by one of the strongest dispensationalists: Charles Ryrie. The reading is fairly easy, although if you don't have an understanding of basic Bible theology, the reading can be quite cumbersome. This is a very clear and fair presentation of the dispensational hermeneutic and it also presents the theological problems with dispenstionalism, covenant theology, progressive and hyper dispensationalism.

Probably the most important asset to this book is the historical information provided by Dr. Ryrie. Those of the Refomed and New Evangelical persuation claim that the relative novelty of Dispensational doctrines places them under suspicion. However, Dr. Ryrie provides the reader with the evidence that covenant theology was largely an invention of the German theolgian Cocceius in the seventeenth century. Another important aspect of this book is Dr. Ryrie's refutation of Progressive Dispensationalism and Ultradispensationalism. If you truly desire to learn about God's plan for the ages, this is a must read.