Did Darby Invent Dispensationalism?

“Dad, are we dispensationalists? Because it seems like this is how anyone would read the Bible!”

I was in my first year of Bible college at Word of Life Bible Institute in upstate New York when I called my father (who was also my pastor) to ask about Dispensationalism, a term I had never heard before. As a young college student, I had no idea people approached the reading and studying of God’s Word in such different ways. 

There Really Is a Difference

Dispensational Theology and Covenant Theology are the two major systems of theology in the evangelical world. Thousands of works have been published about each, and attempting to define each thoroughly in this article would be futile.

For summary, in his book There Really Is a Difference! A Comparison of Covenant and Dispensational Theology, Dr. Renald Showers defined Dispensational Theology as “a system of theology which attempts to develop the Bible’s philosophy of history on the basis of the sovereign rule of God. It represents the whole of Scripture and history as being covered by several dispensations of God’s rule” (p. 27). The seven dispensations are Innocency, Conscience, Human Government, Promise, Mosaic Law, Grace, and The Millennium.

Dr. Showers defines Covenant Theology as “a system of theology which attempts to de­velop the Bible’s philosophy of history on the basis of … covenants” (p. 7). These covenants are Redemption, Works, and Grace. The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry holds to Dispensational Theology.

Do We Owe It All to Darby?

I have friends who are not dispensationalists. They read and interpret Scripture very differently than I do, and we have lively discussions about those differences. I believe God has a future for Israel; they believe God is finished with Israel. I believe the church and Israel have unique places in God’s plan; they believe the church replaced Israel when Jesus presented Himself as Messiah and the Jewish people rejected Him. I believe in the Rapture of the church and a 1,000-year reign of Christ on Earth; they believe the Bible is not clear on end-times events. 

One common statement I have heard and read from Covenant theologians is that Dispensationalism is a new system of thought invented by Plymouth Brethren founder and Bible teacher John Nelson Darby (1800–1882). J.N. Darby was quite the character, and his gravestone describes him well: “As unknown and well known.”

God used a flawed man to further the gospel. I can certainly relate to that!

Many talk, assume, and generalize about him, but most do not truly know him. Some say God would not use a man like Darby because of controversies they have heard about him. Yet Dr. James Fazio of Southern California Seminary has studied the life and writings of Darby and hails his work of interpreting Greek and Hebrew Scriptures into multiple languages. Regardless of one’s personal feelings about Darby, God used a flawed man to further the gospel. I can certainly relate to that!

History shows the thread of dispensational thought—the interpretation of God’s Word based on a literal, grammatical, and historical approach. Tones of Dispensationalism have been around since the 1st century, even though these beliefs were not organized into a system until the 1600s. In his Israel My Glory magazine article “A Presentation of Dispensational Theology,” Dr. Renald Showers explained,

Early church leaders did recognize some of the biblical principles which are basic to Dispensational Theology. For example, Clement of Alexandria (150-220 A.D.) recognized four dispensations of God’s rule. Augustine (354-430 A.D.) noted the fact that God has employed several distinct ways of working in the world as He executes His plan for history. Augustine used the term “dispensation” when referring to these different ways. It must be said, however, that these church leaders did not develop these recognized principles into a system of thought. They were not Dispensational Theologians.

Darby did not invent Dispensationalism. Instead, he was one of many who played a very important role in systematizing and spreading Dispensational Theology during his lifetime.

Darby did not invent Dispensationalism. Instead, he was one of many who played a very important role in systematizing and spreading Dispensational Theology during his lifetime.

Are You Accurately Handling His Word?

As a Bible college student, I learned how Scripture is interpreted. Although I was raised under dispensational teaching, it wasn’t until years later that I truly understood and agreed Dispensational Theology was the most natural way to read Scripture. Seeing God’s orderly plan throughout the ages from Genesis to Revelation simply made sense.

Christians need to remember that Scripture can be understood. Paul told Timothy, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17, NASB).

We should study all Scripture—even the difficult-to-understand passages—knowing they are all profitable for us and part of the story of God’s sovereign plan for His glory.

We must work to study and understand, but this is the beautiful truth: Because of the bond of the gospel in our churches, young and old, rich and poor, educated and uneducated believers are studying God’s Word together with the Holy Spirit’s guidance. We should study all Scripture—even the difficult-to-understand passages—knowing they are all profitable for us and part of the story of God’s sovereign plan for His glory. 

Paul also told Timothy, 

Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene (2:14–17, NASB).

All believers in Jesus should strive together to be “accurately handling the word of truth.” I am grateful for men like J.N. Darby who placed structures for Dispensational Theology. 

Are you accurately handling the Word? I encourage you to seek how to study Scripture. There are many resources both at The Friends of Israel and elsewhere that can help you better understand God’s Word. Here is a brief list of resources that will help you better understand Dispensational Theology:

1. Israel My Glory magazine (An online subscription provides access to each issue of our bimonthly magazine all the way back to 1980)

2. There Really Is a Difference! A Comparison of Covenant and Dispensational Theology

3. What on Earth Is God Doing? Satan’s Conflict With God

4. Pre-Trib Research Center 

Share with us how God has taught you how to accurately handle the Word!

About the Author

Sarah Fern

Sarah is the Media Content Strategist for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. She lives in the Knoxville, TN area with her husband, Martin, and their son.