3 Structure of Dake's Theology
Structure Of Dake’s Theology
Dake’s structure of theology is definitely dispensational. He recognized nine distinct dispensations in Scripture.
1) Dispensation of God’s rule in eternity past.
2) Dispensation of Innocence.
3) Dispensation of Conscience.
4) Dispensation of Human Government.
5) Dispensation of Promise.
6) Dispensation of Law.
7) Dispensation of Grace.
8) Dispensation of Divine Government.
9) Dispensation of God’s rule in eternity future.
Dake recognized a Pre-Adamite creation. He believed that there was a gap of time between Genesis 1:1Genesis 13:1-18Genesis 13:1-18. In this period of time there existed the world that then was. (2 Peter 3:5-6) Adam, he says was to replenish the earth which had been previously filled and destroyed before his day. (Genesis 1:28Genesis 13:1-18) The doctrine of the providence of God is brought out as a Father who is responsible for his children. Dake included prosperity, health, healing, wants, needs and scores of other Gospel benefits as being God’s gifts to men.
Dake sees man as God’s crowning creation. Man was created to dominate and rule God’s creation on the earth. Man in his un-fallen state acted exactly like God in the exercise of his faculties, only his attributes and powers were limited. The Fall, however caused man to loose his crown of glory. Christ was sent to redeem man and restore him to his place of authority. The full and complete restoration of man’s place of dominion will not be complete however until the last enemy death is destroyed.
Christ according to Dake existed equally with the Father throughout all eternity, and as God , Christ had no beginning (John 1:1John 13:1-38). As man however, He had a beginning, was begotten, was the first born of God, was born, and therefore became the Son of God. The Atonement Dake understood was unlimited and complete. “Salvation is provided for all human beings alike, and on the same basis of faith (John 3:16).” Man is a free moral agent, and as such is responsible for acceptance of salvation through faith, which comes as a result of hearing the Word of God by the power of the Spirit. Healing is included in the atonement and is received by faith the same as salvation (1 Peter 2:24, Matthew 8:17, Psalms 103:2-3).
Salvation according to Dake, is conditional upon man remaining faithful until the end. In response to unconditional eternal security, Dake says; “Eternal life is not an eternal possession until the end of a life of holiness, for one can make a failure before then and be lost just as Adam did in the beginning.” 1 John 2:24Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. The Christian life is to be a life without being dominated by sin; a life of holiness. “If men today get the salvation of the New Testament they will be holy and Righteous.” 2 Corinthians 5:21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Eschatology was a hallmark of the Dake studies. The rapture is a snatching up to heaven of all saved men of all past ages, whereas the second advent is a coming down from heaven to earth of the same people with Christ, at least seven years later, for the establishment of the Millennium, and eternal Kingdom.
-Theological Summary of Dake’s Writings