15 Questions
Which theological concept does covenant theology use as an organizing principle for Christian theology?
Covenant
How many overarching theological covenants are typically viewed in standard covenant theology?
Three
Which historical Reformed system of thought treats covenant theology as the structure by which the biblical text organizes itself?
Presbyterians
Which confession is associated with the most well-known form of Covenant Theology?
Westminster Confession of Faith
What distinguishes 'Baptist Covenant Theology' from the standard covenant theology of Presbyterian 'Westminster Federalism'?
It is associated with Reformed Baptists
What is the Abrahamic covenant primarily characterized as?
Exclusive and everlasting
What is the external sign of entering into the Abrahamic covenant?
Circumcision
According to Paul, who does the promised seed in the Abrahamic covenant refer to?
Christ
What does covenant theology teach about baptism in relation to the Abrahamic covenant?
It is the external sign of faith in Christ and part of the Abrahamic covenant
What is the primary promise of the Mosaic covenant?
The Lord will be their God and they will be His people
What is the perception of detractors regarding covenant theology?
Supersessionism or replacement theology
When was the covenant of works recognized in Reformed theology?
By 1590
What does the covenant of grace promise?
Eternal life for all who have faith in Christ
According to covenant theology, what was the covenant established after Adam's failure?
Covenant of grace
How do reformed orthodox theologians view the covenant of grace?
Primarily unilateral on the part of God but entailed conditions on the part of men
Study Notes
Covenant Theology in Christian Theology
- Methodist hermeneutics use Wesleyan covenant theology, consistent with Arminian soteriology, as a framework for biblical interpretation.
- Covenant theology contrasts with dispensationalism concerning the relationship between the Old Covenant (with national Israel) and the New Covenant (with the house of Israel in Christ's blood).
- Detractors refer to covenant theology as "supersessionism" or "replacement theology" due to the perception of replacing Jews with Christians as God's chosen people.
- Covenant theologians deny abandoning God's promises to Israel and see fulfillment in Jesus, establishing the church in continuity with Israel.
- God's covenantal relationship with creation is not automatic but chosen by God, with terms set by God's will.
- The covenant of works was made in the Garden of Eden between God and Adam, offering perpetual life for obedience and warning of death for disobedience.
- Covenant of works became recognized in Reformed theology by 1590; some members of the Westminster Assembly disagreed with the teaching in the 1640s.
- Covenant theology sees a covenant of works with Adam and the covenant of grace established after Adam's failure.
- There is debate among the reformed if the Mosaic covenant was a republication of the covenant of works.
- The covenant of grace promises eternal life for all who have faith in Christ, with Christ as the covenantal representative fulfilling the covenant of works.
- The covenant of grace is the same in substance under both the law and gospel, with differences in administration.
- Reformed orthodox theologians taught that the covenant of grace was primarily unilateral on the part of God but entailed conditions on the part of men.
Test your knowledge of Covenant Theology in Christian theology with this quiz. Explore the contrasts with dispensationalism, the implications of covenant theology on God's promises to Israel, and the concepts of the covenant of works and the covenant of grace.
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