Definition of "dispensational"

Evangelicals have long been influenced by dispensationalism, a theology that promotes a literal reading of biblical prophecy. Many dispensationalists believe Israelites’ return to the Holy Lands is a requirement for the Second Coming of Jesus. When Israeli troops captured the Old City of Jerusalem in June 1967, some saw it as a sign that Jesus was coming. However, dispensational teaching has been waning in mainstream evangelical circles, even as support for a state of Israel has remained strong.

2015 December 14, Sarah Pulliam Bailey, “How some evangelicals are challenging a decades-long stance of blanket support for Israel’s government”, in The Washington Post‎, archived from the original on 16 December 2015, Acts of Faith‎

Simultaneous to its burgeoning presence in Europe, dispensational theology made its way into North America in the mid-1800s through publications and organized teaching of James Inglis (1813–1872). Its eschatological views in particular captured the attention of conservative denominations, namely Baptist and some Presbyterian, who were concerned with the rise of liberalism in Christian thought. Dispensationalism spread across the United States through the Niagara Bible Conferences (1883–1897) and the teaching of pastors and theologians such as James H. Brookes (1830–1897), Dwight Moody (1837–1899), and Cyrus Scofield (1843–1921). Scofield’s reference Bible, with its accompanying dispensational notes, helped further instill this theology, especially among evangelical churches.

2022, R. B. Thieme, Jr., “dispensationalism”, in Thieme's Bible Doctrine Dictionary‎, First edition (Religion), Houston, TX: R. B. Thieme, Jr., Bible Ministries, archived from the original on 14 January 2023, page 63, column 2