oikonomia = administration = dispensation Very Biblical words..............
Yes,and they all have the same meaning.
Help me to understand. If I am dealing with you in a certain manner (administration, dispensation, etc.) then I should be consistent and act in accordance with the established set of ground rules. It seems to me that grace and the law are mutually exclusive, that is, I can’t deal with you in grace (undeserved favor) and also be dealing with you in the law in the same set of circumstances.
So, I can’t see how a covenant of grace can be administered in the time of law (by law, I understand to mean “rendering judgment,” which I understand is the purpose of the law).
Yes, and we determine that meaning from the Bible, not Scofield’s Notes.
It seems to me that grace and the law are mutually exclusive,
And you have pointed out the confusion rendered by the original version of Scofield’s Notes.
Salvation is entirely by grace. Thus the need for a covenant of grace. All men in all times have been saved by the gracious act of God in offering His Son for the sins of His people. That was true for Adam, Abel, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, … everyone who found favor in the sight of the Lord.
The law was given to demonstrate to man their need for this covenant of grace. It was a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ. It could never save anyone, nor could anyone ever find favor in God’s sight simply by lawkeeping.
Dispensationalism is the confusing factor in the discussion. Some dispensationalists have tried to clean up their act. Scofield’s Notes were revised to undo the suggestion of salvation by lawkeeping in the original. Progressive dispensationalism goes even further in the direction of covenant theology. Progress is being made.