New Covenant Theology is a developing system of theol-ogy that seeks to let the Bible inform our theology. This sounds basic, and almost all systems of theology claim that their system is based upon the Bible. As I hope to show you, New Covenant Theology is the system of theology that al-lows the Bible to have the "final say" most consistently. Whereas Dispensationalism stands on presuppositions pro-vided by its beloved Scofield Bible and Covenant Theology stands on presuppositions provided by its cherished West-minster Confession, New Covenant Theology does not have any outside document that must be imposed on the text of Scripture. It strives to let the Sacred Text speak on its own terms.
If we primarily use the Old Testament Scriptures to form our understanding of eschatology, we likely will embrace a premillennial understanding of Abraham's and David's expectations. At the risk of over-simplifying, we will refer to this as a Dispensational hermeneutic. If we use the texts in the New Testament Scriptures that deal with the promise to Abraham we likely will favor the amillennial position. Again, at the risk of over-simplifying, we will call this a Covenant hermeneutic (short for Covenant theology). Currently, New Covenant theology has no clearly defined hermeneutic. Adherents of New Covenant theology have attempted to answer this question by modifying either Covenantal hermeneutics or Dispensational hermeneutics. One of the basic presuppositions of New Covenant theology is that the New Testament Scriptures must interpret the Old Testament. "How do the New Testament writers interpret the kingdom promises of the Old Testament?" Do the New Testament writers give a literal, or "natural," meaning to the kingdom promises in the Old Testament, or do they spiritualize those prophecies? This book represents an attempt to begin serious work toward establishing New Covenant hermeneutics from the ground up-that is, without beginning with either Covenantal or Dispensational hermeneutics.
A Comprehensive Exploration of the Biblical Covenants This book forms an overview of the biblical teaching on covenant as well as the practical significance of covenant for the Christian life. A host of 26 scholars shows how covenant is not only clearly taught from Scripture, but also that it lays the foundation for other key doctrines of salvation. The contributors, who engage variously in biblical, systematic, and historical theology, present covenant theology not as a theological abstract imposed on the Bible but as a doctrine that is organically presented throughout the biblical narrative. As students, pastors, and church leaders come to see the centrality of covenant to the Christian faith, the more the church will be strengthened with faith in the covenant-keeping God and encouraged in their understanding of the joy of covenant life.
Building on the foundation of Kingdom through Covenant (Crossway, 2012), Stephen J. Wellum and Brent E. Parker have assembled a team of scholars who offer a fresh perspective regarding the interrelationship between the biblical covenants. Each chapter seeks to demonstrate how the covenants serve as the backbone to the grand narrative of Scripture. For example, New Testament scholar Thomas Schreiner writes on the Sabbath command from the Old Testament and thinks through its applications to new covenant believers. Christopher Cowan wrestles with the warning passages of Scripture, texts which are often viewed by covenant theologians as evidence for a "mixed" view of the church. Jason DeRouchie provides a biblical theology of “seed” and demonstrates that the covenantal view is incorrect in some of its conclusions. Jason Meyer thinks through the role of law in both the old and new covenants. John Meade unpacks circumcision in the OT and how it is applied in the NT, providing further warrant to reject covenant theology's link of circumcision with (infant) baptism. Oren Martin tackles the issue of Israel and land over against a dispensational reading, and Richard Lucas offers an exegetical analysis of Romans 9-11, arguing that it does not require a dispensational understanding. From issues of ecclesiology to the warning passages in Hebrews, this book carefully navigates a mediating path between the dominant theological systems of covenant theology and dispensationalism to offer the reader a better way to understand God’s one plan of redemption.
In Jeremiah 31, God declares He will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. How we understand that covenant has tremendous importance for every area of theology. An Introduction to the New Covenant examines the covenant to discover who are the recipients of the promised blessings, and concludes that the New Covenant is intended exclusively for Israel and Judah. While An Introduction to the New Covenant asserts that the church is not related to the New Covenant, God’s promises to the nation of Israel have profound implications for every believer, every day.
Much is at stake in evangelical Christian theology when considering "the covenants"--Old Testament and New Testament. Theologically, how do we align the concerns of a popular conservative Christian culture that may rightly worry about the place of the Ten Commandments in the public square with a message that often seems to stress that those same commandments have all been nailed to the cross? Is it all really so simple as "Old Testament = law" versus "New Testament = grace"? Between whom are these two covenants made? How are the two covenants the same? And ultimately, are they really different? These are not new questions in reformed theology and among evangelicals. But their answers are best found, not in the traditions of theological interpretation, but in a careful Scriptural analysis of salvation history itself. Thus, in this important new contribution to covenant theology, Hans LaRondelle chronologically traces through salvation history the footsteps of the Creator Redeemer in progressively revealing His covenant promises and His judgments. From a "redemption-historical" perspective, based on careful exegesis, the author outlines the unity and continuity of God's covenants with His chosen people.
Covenant: A Vital Element of Reformed Theology provides a multi-disciplinary reflection on the theme of the covenant, from historical, biblical-theological and systematic-theological perspectives. The interaction between exegesis and dogmatics in the volume reveals the potential and relevance of this biblical motif. It proves to be vital in building bridges between God’s revelation in the past and the actual question of how to live with him today.
“Brown and Keele have produced an introduction to covenant theology (and therefore biblical theology) that has several distinctive features: First, it is eminently readable and clear; second, it is compellingly biblical in its reasoning and conclusions, constantly displaying the biblical texts in which the various covenants are narrated; and third, it frequently cites covenantal theologians and Reformed confessions from the past, locating itself solidly in the mainstream of that tradition.” --from T. David Gordon in cover materials
New Covenant Theology (NCT) is a developing system of theology that is working to provide a more accurate way to interpret the Scriptures by questioning key theological presuppositions which undergird the principles of interpretation (hermeneutics) that exist in both Covenant Theology (CT) and Dispensational Theology (DT). NCT is based upon a redemptive history approach to understanding the fulfillment of God's eternal purpose on earth. Its Christotelic Hermeneutic with Christ as the focus "in all the Scriptures" (Luke 24:27) is based upon a biblical theology that stresses the theology of the Bible itself. NCT challenges explanation of the theological presuppositions of the one overarching covenant of grace teaching of CT, including its understanding of the "moral law" of God and the nature of the Church. NCT also challenges the two redemptive purposes of DT, one for the Church and one for Israel, and it challenges some of DT's presuppositions and literal hermeneutic for understanding key elements of Bible prophecy. The driving motive of NCT is "Back to the Bible." NCT emphasizes the inductive study of the Bible. A major objective of NCT is that its hermeneutic will help bring doctrinal unity in this sin-wrecked world by helping to break down the middle walls of doctrinal partition that exist between DT and CT.
