Dispensationalism Rejects the Reformation View of Galatians 6: 15-16
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." Galatians 6: 15-16
The dispensationalist interpretation of of Galatians 6: 15-16 is very different from the Reformation interpretation.
For John Calvin's view of Galatians 6: 15-16 see https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cal/galatians-6.htm
"The reason why he is crucified to the world, and the world to him, is, that in Christ, to whom he is spiritually united, nothing but a new creature is of any avail. Everything else must be dismissed, must perish. I refer to those things which hinder the renewing of the Spirit. “If any man be in Christ” says he, “let him be a new creature.” (2 Corinthians 5:17.) That is, if any man wishes to be considered as belonging to the kingdom of Christ, let him be created anew by the Spirit of God; let him not live any longer to himself or to the world, but let him be raised up to “newness of life.” (Romans 6:4.) His reasons for concluding that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any importance, have been already considered. The truth of the gospel swallows up, and brings to nought, all the shadows of the law. "
"And upon the Israel of God (101) This is an indirect ridicule of the vain boasting of the false apostles, who vaunted of being the descendants of Abraham according to the flesh. There are two classes who bear this name, a pretended Israel, which appears to be so in the sight of men, — and the Israel of God. Circumcision was a disguise before men, but regeneration is a truth before God. In a word, he gives the appellation of the Israel of God to those whom he formerly denominated the children of Abraham by faith, (Galatians 3:29,) and thus includes all believers, whether Jews or Gentiles, who were united into one church. On the contrary, the name and lineage are the sole boast of Israel according to the flesh; and this led the apostle to argue in the Epistle to the Romans, that “they are not all Israel which are of Israel, neither because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children.” (Romans 9:6.) "
Dispensationalism makes a systematic and strong division between Old Covenant Israel,and the Church. And so dispensationalists reject the view that the Israel of God is made up of united born again and saved Jews and born again and saved Gentiles.
The dividing of Old Covenant Israel from the Church is the major starting postulate of dispensationalism. Yet the New Testament teaches a united Body of Christ where born again Jews and Gentiles are one and undivided - Romans 10: 12, Galatians 3; 28 and Ephesians 2: 11-16.
C.I. Scofield in his Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth (New York, Loizeaux Brothers, 1888) wrote, "Comparing, then, what is said in Scripture concerning Israel and the Church, a careful Bible student finds that in origin, calling, promise, worship, principles of conduct, and future destiny--all is contrast." And Charles Ryrie in his book Dispensationalism Today (Chicago, 1965) claimed that the "basic premise of Dispensationalism is two purposes of God expressed in the formation of two peoples who maintain their distinction throughout eternity." (pp. 44-45).
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." Galatians 6: 15-16
The dispensationalist interpretation of of Galatians 6: 15-16 is very different from the Reformation interpretation.
For John Calvin's view of Galatians 6: 15-16 see https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cal/galatians-6.htm
"The reason why he is crucified to the world, and the world to him, is, that in Christ, to whom he is spiritually united, nothing but a new creature is of any avail. Everything else must be dismissed, must perish. I refer to those things which hinder the renewing of the Spirit. “If any man be in Christ” says he, “let him be a new creature.” (2 Corinthians 5:17.) That is, if any man wishes to be considered as belonging to the kingdom of Christ, let him be created anew by the Spirit of God; let him not live any longer to himself or to the world, but let him be raised up to “newness of life.” (Romans 6:4.) His reasons for concluding that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any importance, have been already considered. The truth of the gospel swallows up, and brings to nought, all the shadows of the law. "
"And upon the Israel of God (101) This is an indirect ridicule of the vain boasting of the false apostles, who vaunted of being the descendants of Abraham according to the flesh. There are two classes who bear this name, a pretended Israel, which appears to be so in the sight of men, — and the Israel of God. Circumcision was a disguise before men, but regeneration is a truth before God. In a word, he gives the appellation of the Israel of God to those whom he formerly denominated the children of Abraham by faith, (Galatians 3:29,) and thus includes all believers, whether Jews or Gentiles, who were united into one church. On the contrary, the name and lineage are the sole boast of Israel according to the flesh; and this led the apostle to argue in the Epistle to the Romans, that “they are not all Israel which are of Israel, neither because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children.” (Romans 9:6.) "
Dispensationalism makes a systematic and strong division between Old Covenant Israel,and the Church. And so dispensationalists reject the view that the Israel of God is made up of united born again and saved Jews and born again and saved Gentiles.
The dividing of Old Covenant Israel from the Church is the major starting postulate of dispensationalism. Yet the New Testament teaches a united Body of Christ where born again Jews and Gentiles are one and undivided - Romans 10: 12, Galatians 3; 28 and Ephesians 2: 11-16.
C.I. Scofield in his Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth (New York, Loizeaux Brothers, 1888) wrote, "Comparing, then, what is said in Scripture concerning Israel and the Church, a careful Bible student finds that in origin, calling, promise, worship, principles of conduct, and future destiny--all is contrast." And Charles Ryrie in his book Dispensationalism Today (Chicago, 1965) claimed that the "basic premise of Dispensationalism is two purposes of God expressed in the formation of two peoples who maintain their distinction throughout eternity." (pp. 44-45).
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