Epochs & Ages
Is it possible to harmonize Covenant Theology & Dispensationalism? Strictly speaking, I think it is & it isn’t. If by that question, we are talking about epochs & ages that include a covenant era/cycle as if “Dispensationalism prevails!” then, I don’t think it is. Covenant Theology prevails, insofar as the Bible provides its own framework for Biblical Theology, but this doesn’t mean Dispensationalism makes no contribution to the discussion about how God reveals Himself & His decretal & moral wills through the ages. Below is my own chart that is part of a work in progress. It takes into account the fact that Malachi prophesies over all the transitional prophets & that necessarily means that prior to Christ’s return, such a prophet will be called.
Epochs & Ages
Covenant Age Of
Edenic | Innocence/Nursery |
Creation | Pre-Classical Prophetic, Priestly, & Prophetic Age of (Mutable) Liberty & Life, & Fellowship |
Adam - Administrator / Regent
Antediluvian | Toil & Sorrow/Preschool |
Adamic | Classical Prophetic Age of Conscience |
Noah - Administrator / Regent
Aegis | Moral Government/ Elementary |
Noahic | Neo-Prophetic Age of Human Government |
Abraham - Administrator / Regent
Patriarchal
| Promise & New Beginnings Middle School/Jr. High |
Abrahamic | Pre-Monarchial Age of Promise |
Moses - Administrator / Regent
Sinanitic|Sinaitic | Law & Conquest /High School |
Mosaic | Classical Monarchial Age |
Samuel - Administrator / Regent
Monarchial | Monarchial/ Community College |
Davidic | Neo - Monarchial Age |
John the Baptist - Administrator / Regent
Reformational | Grace /College (Undergraduate School) |
Johannine | Classical Apostolic Age of Grace & Gospel |
Logical Outworking of the syllabus & curriculum…
David - Regent / Administrator
New Millennial | Hope, Conquest, Reconciliation/Graduate & Post Graduate |
New Davidic | Neo-Apostolic Age of Conquest & Reconcilation |
Yeshua - Redeemer-Mediator & Administrator/King
Shalom/Peace | Justice & Shalom/ Super-Doctoral. |
Messianic | New Neo Classical - Apostolic Age of Peace, Prosperity, Growth, Gospel, Unity, Justice, Kindness, Reason, & Covenant |
Notes: There is only one Mediator between God & men (1 Timothy 2:5), and the whole of the covenantal system is with all living beings (no matter what order of being they are), according to the terms of the Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9:1-17).
Note: Nicholas Poiret divided history into seven dispensations, early childhood (ended in the Flood), childhood (ended in Moses's ministry), boyhood (ended in Malachi), youth (ended in Christ), manhood (most of the Church), old age ("human decay", meaning the last hour of the Church), and the restoration of all things (the Millennium, includes literal earthly reign of Christ with Israel restored). (Ryrie, Charles C. (2007). Dispensationalism. Moody.)
When charted, his ideas make sense as a progression that indicates that the LORD has humanity on a syllabus from covenant administration to covenant administration & from age to age.
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