The Historical Development of Premillennial Dispensationalism

Abstract

Premillenial dispensationalism, the eschatological system currently en vogue, was developed in the nineteenth century and popularized by two lawyers turned Bible teachers, the Irish convert to the Brethren Movement, J.N. Darby, and the colorful American Congregationalist, C.I. Scofield. The popularity of Darby's system is due largely to the popularity of the Scofield Reference Bible, first published in 1909. Despite the popularity of the Darby/Scofield system, it departs, in many respects, from the historical Christian understanding of eschatology.