A Primer on Dispensationalism

By James D. Quiggle

A primer is a small introductory book on a subject. A Primer on Dispensationalism was written for two groups of Christians: those new to Dispensationalism as a theology; those who have heard Dispensationalism is new and not biblical.
There are many books on dispensational history and theology. I’ve written some of those books. But through extensive interaction with many Christians of both Reformed and Dispensational beliefs, I perceived a need for a simpler work, a “primer,” that will explain dispensational theology as briefly and as simply as may be possible. This book aims to meet that need.
A Primer on Dispensationalism defines Dispensational theology, explains the four distinctives of Dispensationalism, presents a brief history of Dispensationalism from the times of the early church fathers, and lists resources for further study.
If you want to understand the basics of Dispensationalism, or have a friend who should understand, this is the book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James D. Quiggle
• Release date: Apr 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005684495

James D. Quiggle

James D. Quiggle was born in 1952 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He grew up in Kansas and the Texas Panhandle. In the early 1970s he joined the United States Air Force. At his first permanent assignment in Indian Springs, Nevada in a small Baptist church, the pastor introduced him to Jesus and soon after he was saved. Over the next ten years those he met in churches from the East Coast to the West Coast, mature Christian men, poured themselves into mentoring him. In the 1970s he was gifted with the Scofield Bible Course from Moody Bible Institute. As he completed his studies his spiritual gift of teaching became even more apparent. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Bethany Bible College during the 1980s while still in the Air Force. Between 2006–2008, after his career in the Air Force and with his children grown up, he decided to continue his education. He enrolled in Bethany Divinity College and Seminary and earned a Master of Arts in Religion and a Master of Theological Studies.As an extension of his spiritual gift of teaching, he was prompted by the Holy Spirit to begin writing books. James Quiggle is now a Christian author with over fifty commentaries on Bible books and doctrines. He is an editor for the Evangelical Dispensational Quarterly Journal published by Scofield Biblical Institute and Theological Seminary.He continues to write and has a vibrant teaching ministry through social media.

Book preview

Dispensationalism

BOOKS BY JAMES D. QUIGGLE

DOCTRINAL SERIES

Biblical History

Adam and Eve, a Biography and Theology

Angelology, a True History of Angels

Essays

Biblical Essays

Biblical Essays II

Biblical Essays III

Biblical Essays IV

Marriage and Family

Marriage and Family: A Biblical Perspective

Biblical Homosexuality

A Biblical Response to Same-gender Marriage

Doctrinal and Practical Christianity

First Steps, Becoming a Follower of Jesus Christ

Thirty-Six Essentials of the Christian Faith

The Literal Hermeneutic, Explained and Illustrated

Christian Living and Doctrine

Spiritual Gifts

Why Christians Should Not Tithe

Dispensational Theology

A Primer On Dispensationalism

Understanding Dispensational Theology

Dispensational Eschatology, An Explanation and Defense of the Doctrine

Antichrist, His Genealogy, Kingdom, and Religion

God and Man

God’s Choices, Doctrines of Foreordination, Election, Predestination

God Became Incarnate

Life, Death, Eternity

Did Jesus Go To Hell?

COMMENTARY SERIES

The Old Testament

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Judges

A Private Commentary on the Book of Ruth

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Esther

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Song of Solomon

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Daniel

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Jonah

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Habakkuk

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Haggai

The New Testament

The Gospels

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Matthew’s Gospel

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Mark’s Gospel

A Private Commentary on the Bible: John 1–12

A Private Commentary on the Bible: John 13–21

The Parables and Miracles of Jesus Christ

The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus the Christ

The Christmas Story, As Told By God

Pauline Letters

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Galatians

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Ephesians

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Philippians

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Colossians

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Thessalonians

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Philemon

General Letters

A Private Commentary on the Book of Hebrews

A Private Commentary on the Bible: James

A Private Commentary on the Bible: 1 Peter

A Private Commentary on the Bible: 2 Peter

A Private Commentary on the Bible: John’s Epistles

A Private Commentary on the Bible: Jude

Revelation

The Epistle of Jesus to the Church

REFERENCE SERIES

Dictionary of Doctrinal Words

Translation of Select Bible Books (Old And New Testament)

Old and New Testament Chronology (Also in individual volumes: Old Testament Chronology; New Testament Chronology)

TRACTS

A Human Person: Is the Unborn Life a Person?

Biblical Marriage

How Can I Know I am A Christian?

Now That I am A Christian

Thirty-Six Essentials of the Christian Faith

What is a Pastor? / Why is My Pastor Eating the Sheep?

(Tracts are in mobi and/or Epub format and cost $0.99)

Visit me at https://www.facebook.com/BooksOfQ

A Primer On

Dispensationalism

James D. Quiggle

Copyright Page

A Primer On Dispensationalism

Copyright © 2021 James D. Quiggle. All rights reserved.

Published by James D. Quiggle, 2021

All translations, except as noted, are from Translations of Select Bible Books (JQT), James D. Quiggle, copyright 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.

Some information in this book is from James D. Quiggle, Understanding Dispensational Theology, copyright 2019; James D. Quiggle, Dispensational Eschatology, copyright 2013; James D. Quiggle, The Literal Hermeneutic, copyright 2018, 2020.

Some Bible versions cited or quoted were sourced from PC Study Bible®, version 5, release 5.2. Copyright© 1988–2008, by BibleSoft, Inc.

American Standard Version (ASV). Public Domain.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Scripture quotations marked HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

New King James Version® (NKJV). Copyright © 1982, 1983 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV). Copyright © 2000, 2001 by Crossway Bibles, A Division of Good News Publishers, 1300 Crescent Street, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, USA. All rights reserved.

The Holy Bible: New International Version (NIV), Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

This digital edition of A Primer on Dispensationalism contains the same material as the print version.

Table of Contents

Forward

Preface

Abbreviations

Unfamiliar Terms

Introduction

Distinctives

Definition

History

Interpretation

Salvation

Israel and the Church

God’s Glory

Nonnormative Dispensationalism

Recommended Resources

Doctrinal Statement

Sources

Forward

Over his or her lifetime, the Christian should know the Bible as well as the master carpenter knows woods and tools, as well as feet in the dark know the path from bed to bathroom, as well as penguins know how to swim, and babes know how to suckle nourishment from their mother’s beast.

Over a lifetime as a believer there should be no mountain not climbed, no river not fished, not a meadow in which you have not camped and collected wildflowers, not a path you have not walked from beginning to end, not a page you have not turned, not a word you have not read, eaten, and digested.

If taken blindfolded and dropped somewhere in the scriptures, upon uncovering your eyes you should know at a glance exactly where you are: the lay of the land, the people you will meet, the trees and their fruit, and the grain in the fields. You should know the people in every city, the way of its streets and alleys, the sights and smells of its marketplaces and shops. Each should be as familiar to you as your fingers are to your hand.

You should be able to list the books in forward and reverse order, from Genesis to Revelation, from Revelation to Genesis. If you hear a verse you should recognize it. If asked to explain a doctrine you should know it. The scriptures are your light on the path of life, the furniture in your house of faith, food on your pantry shelves, your meat and drink prepared and waiting to be consumed for your spiritual health.

Over a lifetime you should come to know the Bible chronologically, biographically, and doctrinally from In the beginning to the final Amen. If you don’t, yet, what are you waiting for? Read, study, learn, grow, mature.

Preface

This book is a leaner version of my 400 page book, Understanding Dispensational Theology. This book also incorporates some information from my books, Dispensational Eschatology, and The Literal Hermeneutic. Please consult those books for more information. Certain chapters in this book contain new information for the person reading this book as an introduction to Dispensationalism.

Bible Teachers. For a small group Bible Study adapted from this book, see Core Bible Truths and Principles of Dispensationalism, by Linda Marie Quiggle.

Abbreviations

AD … Anno Domini (In the year of the Lord [since Christ was born])

BC … Bello Christo (Before Christ [was born])

ca. … about (an approximate date) (Latin: circa)

cf. … compare (Latin: confer)

e.g. … for example (Latin: exempli gratia)

etc. … and