Confused!?

AmandaLynn1288 · May 24, 2006

Hi! I'm new to most of theology, but I'm very interested! I was wondering if someone could just give me like a general description of what Covenant Theology is. Any information will help. Thanks, and God bless!!

LamorakDesGalis · May 24, 2006

Hi AmandaLynn1288,
Covenant Theology is a theological system which holds to two overarching theological covenants: the covenant of works and the covenant of grace. They derive the covenant of works from Genesis 1-3 - where God promised life for obedience and death for disobedience. After the fall, the covenant of grace began (historically) in Genesis 3:15. For Covenant Theologians, Scripture is viewed primarily as an unfolding of this covenant of grace.

Covenant Theology is found mostly in Presbyterian and Reformed circles. The roots of Covenant Theology is in the Reformation, while the fuller development came in the 1600s through a man named Witsius. Covenant Theologians today hold to a variety of views. RC Sproul is an example of someone today who holds to Covenant Theology.

Lamorak Des Galis

Dave Taylor · May 24, 2006

I would say that another important point within it, is this.

1 people of God.

Not by race.
Not by birthdate.
Not by ancestry.

By Adam the plague of sin befell all humanity thereafter.
Sin therefore, separates all humanity from God.
The wages of sin, unforgiven, unrepentant sin, is death...ultimately the second death.
All humanity, left to their own accord, are individually doomed to be eternally separated from God.
An antidote, however, to sin was provided.
A perfect, spotless, sinless Lamb was slain.
Jesus, the Lamb of God, took the sins of His elect and "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross"
By His eternal, single, one-time sacrifice the way of redemption was made; there is no other way for any human being to be releaved of their sin debt

Whosoever will come, repent and trust Him, follow Him, seek Him, are forgiven and become apart of the people of God; His elect. Race and date have no adverse effect. Faith is the Key, or as Jesus Himself said, "blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

Whereas Dispensationalism has two or more groups called the people of God, that are eternally distinct; and are based on race, date, etc...C.T. avoids this discrimination and focus on the earthly differentiation of the flesh; and sees all of the redeemed of all ages as the people of God.

Or as John succinctly stated it: "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. "

Fundamentally, the difference between Dispensationalism and C.T. is whether you believe there are two peoples of God separated based on race and date;
or just one, differentiated based on faith; between those who are Christ's and hath the Father, and those who reject Christ and belong to their father the Devil.

StJohnCalvin · May 25, 2006

AmandaLynn1288 said:
Hi! I'm new to most of theology, but I'm very interested! I was wondering if someone could just give me like a general description of what Covenant Theology is. Any information will help. Thanks, and God bless!!

A very excellent explanation of what Covenant Theology is comes from the Westminster Confession of Faith:

Chapter 7:

Of Gods Covenant with Man

7:1 The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto Him as their Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of Him as their blessedness and reward, but by some voluntary condescension on Gods part, which He hath been pleased to express by way of covenant (1Sa_2:25; Job_9:32, Job_9:33; Job_22:2, Job_22:3; Job_35:7, Job_35:8; Psa_100:2, Psa_100:3; Psa_118:5, Psa_118:6; Isa_40:13-17; Luk_17:10; Act_17:24, Act_17:25).

7:2 The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works Gal_3:12), wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity (Rom_5:12-20; Rom_10:5), upon condition of perfect and personal obedience (Gen_2:17; Gal_3:10).

7:3 Man, by his fall having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second (Gen_3:15; Isa_42:6; Rom_3:20, Rom_3:21; Rom_8:3; Gal_3:21), commonly called the covenant of grace; wherein He freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in Him that they may be saved (Mar_16:15, Mar_16:16; Joh_3:16; Rom_10:6, Rom_10:9; Gal_3:11), and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life His Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe (Eze_36:26, Eze_36:27; Joh_6:44, Joh_6:45).

7:4 This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in Scripture by the name of a Testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ the Testator, and to the everlasting inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therein bequeathed (Luk_22:20; 1Co_11:25; Heb_7:22; Heb_9:15-17).

7:5 This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the gospel (2Co_3:6-9): under the law, it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all fore-signifying Christ to come (Rom_4:11; 1Co_5:7; Col_2:11, Col_2:13; Heb 8:1-10:29): which were, for that time, sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah (Joh_8:56; 1Co_10:1-4; Heb_11:13), by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation; and is called, the Old Testament (Gal_3:7-9, Gal_3:14).

7:6 Under the gospel, when Christ, the substance (Gal_2:17), was exhibited, the ordinances in which this covenant is dispensed are the preaching of the Word, and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper (Mat_28:19, Mat_28:20; 1Co_11:23-25): which, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity, and less outward glory; yet, in them, it is held forth in more fulness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy (Jer_31:33, Jer_31:34; Heb_12:22-28), to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles; and is called the New Testament. There are not therefore two covenants of grace, differing in substance, but one and the same, under various dispensations (Psa_32:1; Act_15:11; Rom_3:21-23; Rom_4:3, Rom_4:6, Rom_4:16, Rom_4:17, Rom_4:23, Rom_4:24; Gal_3:14, Gal_3:16; Heb_13:8).

Chapter 25:
Of the Church
25:1 The catholic or universal Church which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all (Eph_1:10, Eph_1:22, Eph_1:23; Eph_5:23, Eph_5:27, Eph_5:32; Col_1:18).

25:2 The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the Gospel (not confined to one nation as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion (Psa_2:8; Rom_15:9-12; 1Co_1:2; 1Co_12:12, 1Co_12:13; Rev_7:9); and of their children (Gen_3:15; Gen_17:7; Eze_16:20, Eze_16:21; Act_2:39; Rom_11:16; 1Co_7:14): and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ (Isa_9:7; Mat_13:47), the house and family of God (Eph_2:19; Eph_3:15), out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation (Act_2:47).

25:3 Unto this catholic visible Church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and doth by His own presence and Spirit, according to His promise, make them effectual thereunto (Isa_59:21; Mat_28:19, Mat_28:20; 1Co_12:23; Eph_4:11-13).

25:4 This catholic Church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible (Rom_11:3, Rom_11:4; Rev_12:6, Rev_12:14). And particular Churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the Gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them (1Co_5:6, 1Co_5:7; Rev 2:1-3:22).

25:5 The purest Churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error (Mat_13:24-30, Mat_13:47; 1Co_13:12; Rev 2 and Rev 3): and some have so degenerated, as to become no Churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan (Rom_11:18-22; Rev_18:2). Nevertheless, there shall be always a Church on earth, to worship God according to His will (Psa_72:17; Psa_102:28; Mat_16:18; Mat_28:19, Mat_28:20).

25:6 There is no other head of the Church, but the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph_1:22; Col_1:18); nor can the Pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself, in the Church, against Christ and all that is called God (Mat_23:8-10; 2Th_2:3, 2Th_2:4, 2Th_2:8, 2Th_2:9; Rev_13:6).

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