Featured Scofield

A - Old Scofield. Got one the day I was baptized (Easter 1958) and have had 3 more since because of wear/tear (with use, they last about 15-20 years). Never had another in the pulpit for 50+ years. Did not "preach" from it (I don't use the KJV1769 revised translation in public) but could quickly look up passages, information, etc, when asked questions because of my familiarity with its layout/notes.

Strongly dispensational, very good notes/cross references. I laugh at those who say it taught different ways of salvation - purely the mantra of the covenant crowd to try to discredit, but without an iota of fact.

Recommend MacArthur Study Bible ESV for any who ask today. Same dispensational/calvinistic bent in better translation.

 

Many opponents of dispensationalism have raised objections against the theological system because it supposedly teaches multiple ways of salvation – salvation by means of law, and salvation by means of grace. Under the “Dispensation of Law,” they say, dispensationalists teach people were saved by keeping the law.

It appears the primary reason for this accusation is based on a note by C.I. Scofield in his reference bible on John 1:17: “As a dispensation, grace begins with the death and resurrection of Christ (Rom. 3:24-26; 4:24, 25). The point of testing is no longer legal obedience as the condition of salvation, but acceptance or rejection of Christ, with Good works as a fruit of salvation.” (Scofield Reference Bible, 1909, page 1115, note 1

The statement, “…legal obedience as the condition of salvation,” is ripped from context (it does NOT mean people saved by law-keeping) but that as a “condition to salvation,” the law was given as a test to prove men could not keep the law, and thus, grace through Christ was necessary for all men.

Scofield explicitly states, “The point of testing is no longer legal obedience…” seeing keeping the law as a test. In his note on Genesis 1:28, Scofield writes: “A dispensation is a period of time during which man is tested in respect of obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God.” (Scofield Reference Bible, 1909, page 5, note 4)

“The Fifth Dispensation: Law. This dispensation extends from Sinai to Calvary – from the Exodus to the Cross… The testing of the nation by law ended in the judgement of the Captivities, but the dispensation itself ended at the Cross. (1) Man’s state at the beginning (Ex. 19:1-4). (2) His responsibility (Ex. 19:5-6; Rom. 10:5). (3) His failure (2 Ki. 17. 7-17, 19; Acts 2:22-23). (4) The judgement (2 Ki. 17:1-6, 20; 25:1-22; Lk. 21:20-25).” (Scofield Reference Bible, 1909, page 94, note 1)

Scofield understood the giving of the law as a condition where man’s obedience was tested. Scofield clearly believed man failed that test, and that the law brought condemnation and death. Nowhere in his reference bible did Scofield teach that men were ever saved by obedience to the law. If the condition of salvation was law-keeping, Scofield says, every man failed the test. Therefore, the “condition of salvation” statement from Scofield should be interpreted as that of a test which every man failed, and to prove all men in every age need salvation by grace through faith alone.

 

Salty, the majority of Baptists in US tend toward dispensational rather than covenant theology. I've run into only a few Baptist churches in all my life that didn't hold basic dispensational presuppositions and a literal second coming of Jesus pre-mill eschatology.

In my strongly reformed circles there are many who are covenant, but mostly baby-sprinklers and not Baptist.

On the BB we have seen some who are not. I try to always answer "in my interpretation" rather than a blanket "you are wrong" phrasing. They ARE wrong, but it will be up to God to shed His light on their minds.