This is a false dichotomy.
Strawman Alert
Dispensationalists do interpret Galatians 3:7 literally.
What they don’t do is claim that this verse erases God’s promises to ethnic, national Israel.
Galatians 3:7 —
“Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.”
Amen! This is 100% true—Gentile believers are spiritual sons of Abraham by faith, just as Isaac was (Gal 4:28).
But being a “son of Abraham” spiritually does not cancel God’s national and covenantal promises to physical Israel.
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Literal interpretation doesn’t mean every term means only one thing.
Scripture clearly speaks of multiple layers to “Israel” and “sons of Abraham.”
Romans 4:11–12
Abraham is “the father of all who believe… and also to those who are of the circumcision.”
Romans 9:6
“Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel.”
Paul distinguishes national Israel (ethnic descendants) from spiritual Israel (those who believe)—without erasing either group.
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The Abrahamic Covenant was given to BOTH:
1.Spiritual descendants (by faith – Gal 3:7, Romans 4:11)
2.Physical descendants (national Israel – Genesis 15:18, Genesis 17:7–8)
God promised Abraham’s seed a specific land (Gen 17:8) — not allegorical real estate. And those promises were unconditional and everlasting (Jeremiah 31:35–37).
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Literal Interpretation Means:
•When the Bible uses figurative language, we interpret it as a figure.
•When the Bible gives covenants, names lands, counts years, we don’t spiritualize it away.
Dispensationalists take Galatians 3:7 literally and take Genesis 12, 15, and 17 literally.
The promises to national Israel still stand — and the Church doesn’t need to steal them to be blessed!From Mark on X.com