The Scofield Bible

It is often referred to in short as simply The Scofield Bible, which is actually a reference Bible containing the entire text of the King James Version along with commentary on the biblical text and a scripture cross-reference. The first Scofield Reference Bible was published in 1909 and was revised by the author in 1917. Dr. Cyrus I. Scofield passed away in 1921 and since another Bible reference was released in 1967 under teh Scofield name, which is not a true "Scofield Bible."

Dr. Cyrus I. Scofield was a Dispensationalist, believing in a quite literal meaning to the text of the Bible. Consideration of the literal meaning is in contract to those that try to interpret the bible into metaphoric meanings rather than the literal word of God. Dispensationalism also recognizes different periods of time or ages ordained by God. Between Genesis and the Apocalypse there are seven different periods of God and man. The Scofield Bible outlines a timetable for these periods and Bible prophecy.

Dispensationalism points out a clear distinction between Israel and the church in God's program. There are two distinct peoples of God, that is the people of Israel and the church. The church has not replaced Israel and the Old Testament promises to Israel have not been transferred to the church. In the Old Testament God promised the Jews land, many descendants, and blessings. According to Scofield, this will be fulfilled in the 1000-year period spoken of in Revelation chapter 20. This is by reading the text in the King James Bible. Even though at this time God is focused on the Church, the