Dispensationalism: A theological movement originating in the late 19th
century based on biblical interpretation that divides history into different
periods or dispensations in which God relates to humanity differently. It is
characterized by premillenialism, the expectation of the imminent return
of Christ, and the belief that the people of Israel would enjoy an earthly
kingdom prior to the end in ful¿ llment of God’s promise.
dissenter: An English Protestant who is not a member of the Church of
England; hence the term includes Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, and
Quakers, among others.
Docetism: From the Greek word for “appearance,” the view characteristic
of many Gnostic groups that the physical body of Christ is not real but an
illusion or mere appearance.
doctrine: From a Latin term doctrina, meaning “teaching,” it is a prime
concern of Christian theology, because teaching about Christ is the basis of
Christian faith.
dominical institution: From the Latin word dominus, meaning “lord,” it
is the requirement that every sacrament, in the strict sense of the term, be
instituted by the Lord Jesus.
Donation of Constantine: A document purported to be by the Emperor
Constantine (280–337), donating all the lands of the West to the pope. It
was exposed as a fraud in 1440 by the humanist scholar Lorenzo Valla, who
showed that it was written in 8th century Latin.
Dordt, Synod of (Sometimes spelled “Dort”): A conference of Dutch
Reformed pastors and theologians in 1619 which rejected Arminianism
and formulated the famous ¿ ve points of classic Calvinism, represented
in English by the acronym TULIP: T = total depravity; U = unconditional
election; L = limited atonement; I = irresistible grace; and P = perseverance
of the saints.