Chart
Dispensational Views of the New Covenant
This chart summarizes five major dispensational interpretations of the New Covenant. It is designed as a quick visual reference, showing how each position differs on whether the Church is under the covenant itself, participates only in its blessings, or shares in its inaugurated fulfillment.
Text equivalent of the chart (for accessibility)
| View | Core claim | Authors / scholars |
|---|---|---|
| Israel only / no legal participation | The Church is not under the New Covenant and does not receive its benefits, only similar blessings. | Roy E. Beacham, Christopher Cone, George Gunn, Gary Gilley, David Gunn, Charlie Clough, Don Trest, John R. Master, Mark Snoeberger |
| Two New Covenants | Israel and the Church each have their own New Covenant. | Lewis Sperry Chafer, John F. Walvoord (earlier), Charles C. Ryrie (earlier) |
| Church participates in blessings, not in the covenant | The Church receives New Covenant blessings now, but is not under the New Covenant, since it was made exclusively with Israel and will be fulfilled with Israel. | J. N. Darby, C. I. Scofield, J. Dwight Pentecost, Mal Couch, Paul Benware, Charles Feinberg, Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Thomas Ice, Homer A. Kent Jr., Phillip Heideman, John F. Walvoord (later) |
| Ratified now, inaugurated with Israel later | The New Covenant is ratified now; the Church benefits now, but its inauguration is future and belongs to Israel. The Church is not under the New Covenant. | Elliott E. Johnson, Stephen R. Lewis |
| Inaugurated New Covenant / partial fulfillment | The Church is already under the inaugurated New Covenant; Israel's full fulfillment is still future. | Craig A. Blaising, Darrell L. Bock, Robert L. Saucy, Bruce Ware, Michael Vlach, Rodney Decker, Harold Hoehner, Paul Henebury |