Dispensationalism

=== Formalization by Darby ===
[[File:JohnNelsonDarby.jpg|thumb|[[John Nelson Darby]] systematized and promoted dispensationalism.]]
Dispensationalism developed as a system from the teachings of John Nelson Darby, considered by some to be the father of dispensationalism (1800–1882),<ref name="blaising" />{{rp|10, 293}} who strongly influenced the [[Plymouth Brethren]] of the 1830s in Ireland and England. The original concept came when Darby considered the implications of [[Isaiah 32]] for Israel. He saw that prophecy required a future fulfillment and realization of Israel's kingdom. The New Testament church was seen as a separate program not related to that kingdom. Thus arose a prophetic earthly kingdom program for Israel and a separate "mystery" heavenly program for the church. In order to not conflate the two programs, the prophetic program had to be put on hold to allow for the church to come into existence. Then it is necessary for the church to be raptured away before prophecy can resume its earthly program for Israel.<ref>Ryrie, Charles C., Update On Dispensationalism in Issues In Dispensationalism, Wesley R. Willis and John R. Master (eds.), p. 17</ref>

In Darby's conception of dispensations, they relate exclusively to the divine government of the earth. The Mosaic dispensation continues as a divine administration over earth up until the return of Christ, and the church, being a heavenly designated assembly, is not associated with any dispensations.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Huebner |first1=Roy A. |url=http://www.presenttruthpublishers.com/pdf/Darby_Teachings_Dispensations_Ages.pdf |title=J. N. Darby's Teaching Regarding Dispensations, Ages, Administrations, and The Two Parenthesis |date=1993 |publisher=Present Truth Publishers |publication-place=Jackson, New Jersey |pages=iii-iv}}</ref>

While his Brethren ecclesiology failed to catch on in America, his [[eschatology|eschatological]] doctrine became widely popular in the United States, especially among [[Baptists in the United States|Baptists]] and [[Old School–New School Controversy|Old School Presbyterians]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite book |last=Elwell |first=Walter A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yu846j61u0wC |title=Evangelical Dictionary of Theology |date=2001 |publisher=[[Baker Academic]] |isbn=978-0-8010-2075-9 |language=en}}</ref>{{Rp|page=317}}