Dispensationalism

===Progressive revelation===
{{main|Progressive revelation (Christianity)}}

Progressive revelation is the doctrine that each successive book of the [[Bible]] provides further [[revelation]] of God and his program. Theologian [[Charles Hodge]] wrote that the progressive character of divine revelation is gradually unfolded until the fullness of truth is revealed.<ref>{{Citation |last=Hodge |first=Charles |title=Systematic Theology |url=https://archive.org/details/systematicth200301hodg/page/446 |volume=1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/systematicth200301hodg/page/446 446] |year=2003 |place=Peabody |publisher=Hendrickson |isbn=1-56563-459-4}} (also available as {{Citation |last=Hodge |title=Systematic Theology |date=May 1997 |publisher=P & R |editor-last=Gross |editor-first=Edward N. |edition=abridged |isbn=0-87552-224-6}})</ref> Charles Ryrie wrote that the Bible is not viewed as a textbook on theology, but rather as a continually unfolding revelation of God through successive ages where there are distinguishable stages in which God introduces new things for which man becomes responsible.<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|page=33}}

Disagreement exists between [[covenant theology]] and dispensationalism regarding the meaning of revelation. Covenant theology views the [[New Testament]] as the key to interpreting the [[Old Testament]].<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|page=32}} For dispensationalists, the Old Testament is interpreted on its own and that the New Testament contains new information which can build on the Old Testament but cannot change its meaning.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Toussaint |first1=Stanley D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ELPsd0kf6UkC |title=Three Central Issues in Contemporary Dispensationalism: A Comparison of Traditional and Progressive Views |last2=Burns |first2=J. Lanier |publisher=Kregel Academic |isbn=978-0-8254-9881-7 |pages=124 |language=en}}</ref> Each stands alone, rather than the Old Testament being reread through the lens of the New Testament.<ref name=":19" />