TGD: The Analogy of Faith & What It Means to Us

           

Another difference between Dispensationalists and those who espouse Covenant or Reformed Theology is their acceptance of the Analogy of Faith, which is a theological term that broadly states that “Scripture should interpret Scripture”. 

I was surprised to read that most Dispensationalists do not agree wholeheartedly with the Analogy of Faith because it makes perfect sense to me and was how I was taught throughout my entire academic experience, which was wholly Christian from kindergarten through college. My background is Evangelical not Protestant so you can see why I was confused especially when Dispensationalists (Darby-ites) firmly espouse the inerrancy of the Scriptures.  

Note:  Yes, there is a difference.  One can be evangelical, believing God’s Word outside of the established church, and not be a Protestant (which is to say, a protester or reformer of the Catholic faith).  Many non-religious believe if you are not Catholic then you are Protestant, which is not the case.  Even during the Reformation, there were rogues who opposed both systems.  Initially, they were the Anabaptists but other factions existed.

So, why would one disagree on this point that Scripture interprets Scripture?  More on this later…

Another strong argument for the inerrancy of the Scriptures is that ‘God cannot contradict Himself’ which is to say that every Scripture can be qualified or supported with another Scripture usually moving from the Old Testament to the New Testament.  A great example of ‘Scripture interpreting Scripture’ is the Scriptural support given when we answer someone concerning who the head of the ‘church’ or body of Christ is according to Scripture.  The head is Christ – He is the ‘corner stone’ and no other.  How do we arrive at this belief in Christ being the head of the corner, which refutes the Catholic Petrine Theory (the belief that Peter is the head of the Church)? 

²¹I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

 ²²The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

 ²³This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. – Psalm 118:21-23

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? – Matthew 21:42

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: – Mark 12:10

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? – Luke 20:17

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. – Acts 4:11

⁶Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

 ⁷Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

 ⁸And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. – I Peter 2:6-8

Why is it necessary to interpret Scripture with Scripture here?  It is important to show others not that we merely believe Christ is the Head but to prove that He was the head well before He walked the Earth.  To prove that His life, ministry, and resurrection are proof positive that He is the fulfillment of Promise, the stone the builders rejected, who is now ‘the head of the corner’.  We prove this moving from the Old Testament to the New Testament and cross-referencing all Scripture referring to the corner stone, its definition, and who it was to be. 

Then, we view the fulfillment of Promise and the distinction is clear – Christ was, is, and always will be the head of the corner. The Catholics misinterpret the passage to infer that Christ made Peter the head of the church thereby giving a charge for holy men, apostles, to head the church which also gives them what they feel to be ‘divine permission to establish the papacy’.  How could the Catholics draw such a conclusion?  They never took an honest look at Scripture qualified by other supporting Scripture. 

I ask that you read the passage with supporting verses and then ask yourself,

Did Christ make Peter the head of the corner?

By whom is salvation promised? 

How is then Peter the head of the corner, is he God’s Son?  No, Peter is not God’s Son, Jesus Christ, the Divine Incarnate.  Peter himself states that he believed Christ was the Son of the living God. 

Or is Peter just a manifestation of the kingdom on earth because the kingdom of heaven is within you (and in every believer) and Christ was using this example to teach Peter that the Kingdom was within him and not just a future hope, tangible yet intangible as well? 

 ¹³When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

 ¹⁴And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

 ¹⁵He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

 ¹⁶And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

 ¹⁷And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

 ¹⁸And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 ¹⁹And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

 ²⁰Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

 ²¹From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

 ²²Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

 ²³But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

 ²⁴Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

 ²⁵For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

 ²⁶For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 ²⁷For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

 ²⁸Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. (Matthew 16:13-28 KJV)

As all believers represent the body of Christ on Earth then it stands to reason that Peter was like the other disciples, sent to fulfill the Great Commission.  In fulfilling the Great Commission, a commandment for all believers NOT just for Peter to head the body of Christ, we manifest the kingdom of God here on Earth.  Why?  Filling it with believers who live unto Christ (see Galatians 2:19-21).  Now, look at the other Scriptures given plus any others you will find in your studies as I have not mentioned every verse here for the sake of brevity and ask yourself did Christ establish Himself as the chief corner stone in His Life, Death, and Resurrection?  Yes, I believe Scripture tells us that He indeed made it known that HE and only HE was the head of the corner.

This is what it meant by the term “Scripture interpets Scripture” or the Analogy of Faith.  The Bible should be your only source for divine instruction in the Christian faith.  The doctrines of men fail us if they depart from the Word of God.  God tells us in his Word to put the doctrines of men away and cling to His Word alone.

⁶He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

 ⁷Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

 ⁸For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. (Mark 7:6-8 KJV)

¹⁵And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

 ¹⁶Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

 ¹⁷If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:15-17)

¹⁶Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

 ¹⁷Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

 ¹⁸For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:16-18 KJV)

¹³Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

 ¹⁴That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

 ¹⁵But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Ephesians 4:13-15 KJV)

¹Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

 ²Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

 ³Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (I Tim. 4:1-3).

¹⁵And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 ¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 ¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Tim. 3:15-17).

⁸Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

 ⁹Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

 ¹⁰We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. (Hebrews 13:8-10 KJV).

Through cross-referencing, we find those Scriptures that directly qualify that Christ is the Head of the body.  Then, we must look at all Scriptures which ‘support’ that qualification (i.e. Christ is our intercessor as He reconciled the Temple, the Priest, and the Sacrifice unto Himself at Calvary).  Suffice it to say, if Christ is continually interceding for the saints, the royal priesthood, a holy nation that we have become as adopted heirs held within the hand of Christ alone, then what need do we have of a man designated to ‘rule’ the established church? 

⁴To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

 ⁵Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

 ⁶Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. – I Peter 2:4,5,6

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; – I Peter 2:9

¹¹But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; ¹²Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:11-12).

Scripturally, there is no support but rather support against such a notion.  It is by this simple process that we learn “Scripture interprets Scripture” or “God’s Word interprets God’s Word”.  It is also interesting to note, the very apostle whom the Catholic Church prefers to rest their theory upon refutes their words as he extols that indeed Christ is the head of the corner.

The Dispensationalists, some not all from what I am told, argue however that not all Scripture can be interpreted with Scripture.  Covenant and Reformed theologians almost always espouse the Analogy of Faith.  It is with this basis that they become diametrically opposed to the Dispensationalist.  Why? 

The CT (covenant theologian) will cross reference and show you in the OT and NT that the body of Christ began with the progress of redemption through the patriarchs.  They hold to the covenants of grace and trace them quite simply to the fulfillment of Promise, the Messiah.  It is very straightforward.  The Dispensationalist refutes the progress of redemption via the covenants of God and will tell you that the church began at Pentecost. 

The CTs believe that they were saved looking to the promise of a Messiah just as we look back to the Cross.  All were saved by grace through faith in the OT and NT.  Just as Abraham’s faith that God would send a Messiah was counted to him as righteousness then so is our belief in the finished work of Christ on Calvary the impetus for our own deliverance. 

The Cross is ground zero.  The mediator is grace. 

The patriarchs loved and obeyed the Lord and it was counted them as righteous based on their firm belief in the “promise of redemption”.  Likewise, we are saved by grace through faith through our repentance, love and obedience to the Father look BACK on the “fulfillment of Promise”.  The Cross is always our focus and the mercy and grace of our Father never ceased to be the Balm in Gilead that Abraham and the patriarchs knew it to be.  The Cross never negated the Law; it established the Law and made covenants good.

While the Dispensationalists will also espouse the inerrancy of God’s Word, they depart on God’s program and dissect the covenants thereby proposing there is a separate program for national Israel which, however, does not directly align with Scripture.  Where do I see the fallout?  The Branch Prophecies.  Jesus Christ fulfilled the Branch prophecies.  He is the true vine.  We are the branches.  The Gentiles were grafted into the Promise and here is where the Dispensationalist position departs from the Analogy of Faith.  Meanwhile, they maintain they have not departed from Scripture but I believe they have misinterpreted God’s Word here.

Your mileage may vary but to date this is where I have found the greatest difference lies in these two theological systems. 

Who is Israel?

Who are Abraham’s descendents?

This is where the road divides.  So, is God a covenantal Father or does He dispense love and wrath based on the current ‘dispensation’ or ‘era’ in which we live?  Is he the Christ of Hebrews 13:8 or does He change as Dispensationalism implies that He does?

This issue goes deeper than most understand because it raises yet another question.  What of God’s attributes?  To answer this question correctly, you must thoroughly study God’s attributes according to Scripture.  I cling to the unchanging hand of God, the God of Hebrews 13:8, evident through His unfailing love for His people, his continual pursuit of us, the fulfillment of all covenants established within His Son, the everlasting promise fulfilled in His Son. 

To that end, is God preferential in that He allows the birth of some to blessedness and others to damnation?  The Calvinists believe this and this is part of the reason for infant baptism and believing that “children of Christian parents are holy”.  They indeed have separated themselves believing God’s blessings belong to the elect within that particular dispensation and not others?  In 2 Peter 3:9 that is refuted because God’s Word says that He is not willing for ANY to perish but that ALL would come to repentance.

More to come….What are the Dispensations?

Be blessed!

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