Stewardship Hermeneutics

Taxonomy is an image-bearer’s prerogative.

A lot of people don’t like the label “dispensation,” and fine. I use it. In fact, I am glad for it, baggage and all.

But, what might be an alternative?

The English word dispensation comes from the Greek word oikonomia, “house-rule” and so the idea of managing a household, being a manager, a steward. “Economy” is most closely derived from it, but perhaps has too broad of baggage to be useful.

How would all this apply to reading and understanding the Bible?

What about this label: Stewardship Hermeneutics

That name emphasizes that when it comes to the priority principles of understanding Scripture:

• we receive the Master’s word as the ultimate authority
• we are accountable to the Master for making the His word known (like Paul, Colossians 1:25)
• we will also answer for how we attended to the context of the Master’s word (such as 2 Timothy 2:15), not adding or taking away from it