Dispensational Proof 5

5. The Abrahamic Covenant

            The Abrahamic covenant is a strong proof for the dispensational approach to the Bible. The Abrahamic covenant when understood in its proper context is an unconditional promise with eternal literal events that God will forever honor because it was entered into unilaterally. It was a well know practice in that day to ratify a covenant by cutting the animals and passing through them. Only God passed through while Abraham was a sleepy spectator (Genesis 15). God ratified the covenant himself alone. Romans states clearly that the Abrahamic covenant is still in effect for the Jews and for all of us. The covenant theologians do not believe the Abrahamic covenant is unconditional because then they would also have to say that the land promises are still in effect for Israel. The dispensational interpretation of the Abrahamic Covenant gives a very strong continuity to the entire revelation of God. God continues and expands the Abrahamic covenant by giving further covenants like the land covenant (Deuteronomy 30), the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:1-17), and new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-40). The dispensational approach to this covenant also best explains the blessing received by Gentiles of all ages. The seed promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ continues to all generations and all nations by his work on the cross and His resurrection. A literal interpretation makes the best sense of the confirmations of the covenant to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. If this is simply to be understood as a figurative covenant for the church, it makes no sense that God would continue to rehearse it’s promises to several generations after Abraham and to all the house of Isaac and Israel. The people of Israel also understand the promise of the land to be a literal place where their ancestors all the way back to Abraham physically lived.