Our Position On Covenant Theology
By Fred Handschumacher
Our goal at "Rock of Offence" is to discuss Biblical issues clearly and simply. After 35 years of observing religious life I've learned that few "church-goers" will find spiritual truth. Many will find religious tradition that's presented as "truth", yet falls short of the Biblical standard. The Bible isn't that hard to understand. It's the thousands of doctrines and man-made traditions that make it difficult to sort out. Some preachers and theologians take full advantage of this confusion. With the pressures of our modern society, it's difficult for believers to discover the facts beneath the surface. I apologize to the reader about some of the more complex topics discussed on this website. It violates my desire for simplicity. Yet, I can either cover some of these issues or contribute (through silence) to the massive misinformation campaign operating in the church.
Several months ago, it was brought to my attention that some articles on this website appear to be contradictory. The area of controversy involves our teachings on the importance of the historic institution of blood covenant in the Holy Scriptures vs. the doctrine of "Covenant Theology" related to the teachings of Calvinism. Some of these teachings are rooted in doctrine taught by an early Roman Catholic theologian, Saint Augustine (around 500 A.D.). Covenant Theology, or "Reformed Theology" is the fundamental belief of certain churches and denominations. It is found in various forms of Presbyterianism, non-denominational churches and some fundamental Baptist congregations that adhere to the teachings of John Calvin, a prominent leader of the Protestant Reformation. Yet, in modern times various principles of Covenant Theology have infiltrated nearly every mainline denominational church.
On the surface, it appears like Rock of Offence is teaching Covenant Theology. I want to assure the reader that this is not true. I have strong disagreements with this belief. After studying the facts, I believe that Covenant Theology represents the most serious threat to the truth of the Gospel within Protestant Christianity. It's unfortunate that such an important Biblical word like "covenant" can be applied to a group in such a way that if you use the same term--it appears you agree with the theology of that group. It also explains why believers aligned with Reformed Theology find information on this website offensive.
The reader should know that Calvinism, Covenant Theology, Reformed Theology, The Institutes of Christian Religion and Replacement Theology are all interrelated belief systems that are foundational to many Christian denominations.
What Is Covenant Theology?
It's not my goal to debate these principles in this article. For that reason, my comments will be generalized and limited. The hostilities between Calvinism and other Christian beliefs such as Dispensationalism have existed for many years. Hundreds of books are written on the topic. Endless debates continue to this day. For these reasons, we will not solve anything in the limited space in this article.
Two major forms of religious thought exist in Orthodox Christianity: Covenant Theology and Dispensational Theology (also known as Dispensationalism).
Covenant Theology views Biblical history as one continuous "uniform" flow that does not disagree and is expressed in three basic "Covenants" known as:
These covenants do not necessarily represent actual historically established covenants--they are more like religious "ideologies" that enable Calvinism to make sense of their fundamental "uniform flow of Bible history" teaching. At this point, the reader is probably thinking, "What does "uniform flow" mean?" Attempting to generally describe something as complex as Covenant Theology is difficult. It's an area of intense spiritual warfare that, in my opinion, has deceived the earthly institutional church for thousands of years. In the simplest terms it's a belief that the New Testament, or what Jesus calls "the new covenant in my blood", is a continuation of the Old Testament religious system based on the Mosaic covenant established between God and the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. The key word here is "continuation". If it's just a continuation of the Old Testament belief system, then both systems remain valid for the New Testament believer. Covenant Theology teaches that God deals with the entire human race today in "the same" manner that he dealt with them under the Old Testament system. It's called "uniform" because Covenant theologians subtly suggest that no significant change has taken place. Later, we'll see how they bring this together under their Covenants of Law and Grace.
The word "uniform" is generally defined as "the same." If you stir a can of paint until its consistency is "uniform"--that means it’s "the same" throughout.
The New Testament part of God's Word strongly disagrees with this mainstream belief. When Jesus tells us about the redemption his blood provides--he called it a NEW covenant. The words "uniform" and "new" hold totally opposite meanings. In this situation God set aside Old Testament religion and established a "new covenant" that represents a totally new redemptive system for the human race. The writer of Hebrews calls it "a new and living way" and goes on to say. . .
"But now hath he (Jesus) obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second."
“In that he saith, a new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” (Heb 8:6-7,13)
Saint Paul refers to these two covenants when he said. . .
“For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” (Gal 4:22-26)
If you put these things together you can see that the "first covenant" of the Old Testament from mount Sinai had "faults" and other problems. God refers to this covenant as something that creates death and bondage. It is for that reason he sought to establish a brand new covenant, which he calls "a better covenant established on better promises". Christ’s “new covenant” replaces the previous one. The New Testament Church is now ruled by Christ’s new covenant established upon the blood he shed at the cross. This new covenant is the one that God now uses in his relationship with us. When you see the whole picture it’s simple to understand. Yet, a vast majority in the Christian church world fails to live in the truth of it. This failure has serious eternal consequences.
Covenant theologians allegorizes (spiritualizes) the Scriptures, especially Bible prophecy. This allows the practice of applying extra-biblical interpretations. The reason there can be no solution in the ongoing debate with Calvinists is because of their methods of Bible interpretation. You can never discuss the principles of gravity or thermodynamics with a person who does not respect the "literal" laws of Physics. For the same reason, you can never discuss the details of salvation or Bible prophecy with someone who does not respect the literal interpretation of Scripture. It's an excercise in total frustration.
According to Covenant Theology, the church has always existed. It teaches that the "invisible church" began with Adam and later became "visible" during Abraham's life. They believe the Church didn't begin on the day of Pentecost--but pre-existed since the creation of man. Covenant theologians see Old Testament history as God's interaction with the entire human race, rather than only Israel. They believe Israel represents the "church" of the Old Testament, while the church of the New Testament (made up of mainly Gentile believers in Christ) is "the new Israel". It teaches that national Israel is cursed and eternally rejected by God because of her sin. The New Testament Church, which they call "the new Israel", has taken natural Israel's place and inherited all her promises. This belief is also known as "Replacement Theology". It is not a "minority" belief. This dangerous ideology results in various expressions of anti-Semitism toward the Modern State of Israel. It's one reason we see major Christian denominations routinely take the side of terrorist countries who are committed to the destruction of the Jewish State. They sincerely believe they're an extension of God's judgement upon Israel for her sins.
Important Note: It is not my intention to misrepresent the principles of Calvinism. Like other beliefs, Covenant Theology is embraced by various different branches (groupings) that may not all hold to the exact same beliefs. According to my research, the principles presented above are common within this group.
Dispensationalism
Rather than the "uniform view of history", Dispensationalists see Biblical history as different dispensations or administrations. In each dispensation God accomplishes something totally different. Covenant theologians teach a "sameness" or uniformity of God's purposes through history, while Dispensationalists explain the unique differences between each Divine administration. Covenant Theology spiritualizes Scripture to achieve agreement with the Biblical text. Dispensationalists use a "literal" interpretation of the Scripture, which makes it difficult to "theorize" their own interpretation to achieve Scriptural harmony.
Dispensationalists also disagree on issues because there are so many different "flavors". We attempt to keep things simple for the sake of brevity.
Dispensationalists believe Biblical history is divided into seven periods:
- Innocence - Adam
- Conscience - After Adam sinned, up to the flood
- Government - After the flood
- Promise - Abraham to Moses (the giving of the Law)
- Law - Moses to Calvary
- Grace - Calvary to the Millennial Kingdom
- Millennial Kingdom - The literal 1000 year reign of Christ on earth
Note: Since this article is not intended as a defense, but an examination of differneces--we will restrict our discussion to the two dispensations of Law and Grace.
During the dispensation of Law, God deals only with Israel as his chosen people. He gave them the Mosaic Law, an exclusively Jewish institution. Only circumcised Jews as the natural seed of Abraham are permitted to practice its rituals. As a rule, Gentiles are not welcomed into this religious system even though there were some notable exceptions in the Old Testament. It wasn't designed for the entire human race, but only for Israel as Abraham's offspring. In the Old Testament, God was known by the name of "The Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel" (1 Kings 18:36, 1 Chron. 29:18, 2 Chron. 30:6). God's original intention was for Israel to be the custodians of His Law and for salvation to flow from them to the rest of the Gentile nations of the world (Isaiah 49:6). Yet, because they were disobedient and crucified their Messiah, God extends salvation directly to the Gentiles through Grace. Old Testament prophets foretell this outcome. With teaching from the Pauline Revelation, we can now see that the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ is part of God's design to provide the legal foundation for the next part (dispensation) of his plan. The blood of Christ fulfills the just requirements of the Law and pays the price for the redemption of not just the Jews, but also the remaining non-Jewish part of the human race.
Under the dispensation of Grace, God no longer exclusively deals with Israel through the Mosaic Law. He is now dealing with all nations of the world under "Grace". Paul tells us about this important change after Calvary:
"Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith." (Rom 3:27-30 KJV)
For this reason, the requirements of the exclusively Jewish Law can never be part of Gentile salvation. Through the Pauline Revelation, God unveiled the Gospel of Grace. This gospel is known as the Gospel of Christ, or Paul's gospel. It outlines salvation by Grace (unmerited favor) through faith in Christ alone--without any need for the deeds of the Law. Under the dispensation of Grace, the earned merits of obedience to Law are eliminated and salvation is granted as "the gift of God" on the basis of the believer's confession of faith in Christ alone (Rom. 10:9-10, 13).
To summarize: Under the dispensation of the Law God dealt only with Israel--under the dispensation of Grace (after the cross) he deals with the entire human race (which includes the Jewish race) as a whole. The "uniform history theory" of Covenant Theology that teaches God only dealt with the human race as a whole in the Old Testament is not true. This can be proven by an honest study of the Old Testament using a literal interpretation of Scripture. In order to make their "uniform theory" of the Old Testament work, Covenant theologians must spiritualize the Scriptures.
The "church" is mentioned on the day of Pentecost and later in the epistles of Paul when the Holy Spirit came to indwell believers. It is not discussed in the Old Testament before Christ. The term "Church" is applied to believers, who are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. The indwelling Spirit is unique to the New Testament Church and was impossible before the day of Pentecost--meaning that the "Church" didn't exist in the days of either Adam or Abraham. This also means that Israel and the Church are two separate and distinct entities in the Scriptures. It means that Israel is not the "church" of the Old Testament and that the "Church" of the New Testament can never be the "new Israel".
The Theology of Rock of Offence
Christian Orthodoxy is sub-divided into over 2200 different denominations and groups. I constantly struggle with this problem because it's a testimonial to our inability to agree on the teachings of the Bible. It's no mystery why the world rejects God. Yet, when I consider studies such as this I see why we are hopelessly divided. These issues will never be resolved until Jesus Christ returns. Because there are so many divisions and groups, there must be a method to distinguish between all the different beliefs. I will list the beliefs of Rock of Offence in theological terms.
We are:
- Evangelical
- Trinitarian
- Full Gospel
- Dispensational
- Pre-tribulational
- Pre-millennial
In reference to this article we are Dispensational, yet in a specific way. God's dispensations of Promise, Law and Grace didn't just start out of thin air. He didn't just decide one day, "I think I'll start a new dispensation of Grace". The Scriptures teach that each dispensation is initiated by a blood covenant. The dispensations of Promise, Law and Grace each begin with a unique and physical blood covenant. Don't confuse this position with the teaching of Covenant Theology. They may look similar, but they are miles apart. One of our purposes is to reveal what Jesus did on the cross in the light of the historic and cultural institution of the blood covenant and its principles. It is not related to Covenant Theology.
These unique dispensations and the blood covenants that govern them explain why Israel can never be the Church and the Church can never be "the new Israel". Covenant theologians believe Israel is Divinely cursed and eternally rejected from God's program. We see from the Scriptures (specifically the epistles of Saint Paul) that God is not finished with Israel (Rom. 11:25-36). Very soon this present dispensation of Grace will end with the departure of the New Testament Church (1 Thess. 4:16-17). After this event, Israel will be at the center of God's purposes once again during a seven-year period known as "The Tribulation" (also known as "Jacob's Trouble"). During this time Saint Paul declares that "all of Israel will be saved". It doesn't sound like God is finished with Israel. Saint Paul said:
"I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew..." (Rom 11:1-2)
The Grace of God
The problems with the "uniform history theory" can be identified as we look at the topic of God's Grace. Most attacks and distortions against Saint Paul's Grace Gospel come from Covenant Theology. We've done a number of studies on this topic and I don't want to repeat these teachings here. I'll be general in my comments and the reader can go to our website for more information. (See the links at the end of this article)
Saint Paul preached the Gospel of Grace from the position of "unmerited favor". When unmerited favor is extended to you, benefits and resources are given without requiring payment, performance or work. It's the receiving of benefits without working for it (see Rom. 9:31-33 and Gal. 2:16). Another name for it is "gift" or a benefit given "freely" (Rom. 3:24 Rom. 5:15-18 Rom. 6:23 Eph. 2:8 Eph. 4:7 Heb. 6:4). Concerning the Gospel of Christ, it allows the unmerited favor of God to be expressed in the giving of spiritual benefits on the basis of faith only. Some teachers and theologians attempt to discredit this gospel by calling it "cheap grace" or "greasy grace". I heard one pastor refer to it as "the grace cult". Yet, what they're actually saying is that the blood of Christ is cheap. These slanderous labels reveal a total ignorance of the sufficiency of Christ's blood. Grace (unmerited favor) makes salvation totally free to us, but it cost Jesus Christ everything. If a friend went out and purchased a Lambragini sports car and gave it to you--would you thank him by saying, "What a cheap gift?" Just because you got it free doesn't make it cheap. It cost your friend a lot of money. So it is with God's Grace.
"Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." (Rom 3:27-28)
Jesus Christ paid the full cost of our salvation including the future redemption of our bodies at His Second Coming. This allows our heavenly Father to bestow the benefits of salvation upon us according to the "unmerited favor" characteristics of Grace. This is a generalized view of what Jesus accomplished.
More specifically, the blood of Jesus permits Divine unmerited favor to be expressed by perfectly fulfilling the Law for us--so that we could be freed from its requirements. Chapters 4-8 of Paul's epistle to the Romans give us the legal details of how it works. He explains how the law is only binding upon a person as long as they live. Yet, when anyone dies, they are freed from the Law. Saint Paul continues by saying that "we've become dead to the law through the body of Christ" (Rom. 7:4). Jesus satisfied the judgement of the law by taking our place. A spiritual law was satisfied when Christ, the perfectly righteous and sinless Son of God, voluntarily died for the unrighteous human race. Through this act, our heavenly Father "imputes" our old cursed, sinful life onto Jesus as he hung on the cross--so that when Christ died, we died in him (Rom. 6:6 Gal. 2:20 Col. 3:3) and later was resurrected "with him" (Eph. 2:5-6). This is the legal foundation for our redemption through Grace: When Christ died, we died--and the requirements of the Law that were against us while being alive, died with him (Col. 2:14). This is the reason God deals with believers in Christ through unmerited favor. Paul reinforces this truth by saying the following:
"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Gal 2:21)
Covenant Theology Redefines God's Grace
During Saint Paul's ministry there were some Jewish teachers who waited for him to establish a church. These teachers would enter the fellowship after Paul left to "educate" the new Gentile Christians. They were known as "judaizers". Jesus called them "wolves in sheep clothing"--Saint Paul referred to them as "grievous wolves" (Acts 20:29). They were highly skilled in Jewish theology and instructed believers that, in addition to faith in Christ, they needed to keep the Mosaic Law. Saint Paul had strong words for these teachers that he referred to as "false brethren" (Gal. 1:8-9 Gal. 2:4 Gal. 3:1-3).
Protestant denominations have their own brand of judaizers. They replace the teachings of Saint Paul with their own "covenant of grace theology", which they wrongly call "the true apostolic doctrine". They call their teaching "Grace". They preach it as Grace. They claim their salvation is by Grace. Yet, on closer examination it's a counterfeit. Under their gospel you're initially saved by Grace, but you can only keep your salvation through a certain regiment, or system of religious works. This is commonly referred to as the "Jesus plus gospel". Adherents to Covenant Theology will not tell you what these works are so that you can satisfy the requirements. They can't tell you because the rules vary from group to group. This sets the stage for what I call "squirrel-cage religion." This is where the believer is constantly performing, yet never knowing if their performance is enough to satisfy God--so they keep performing. It also creates a religious dependency where believers attend church services out of fear that they will "backslide" away from salvation if they don't. This is why you see an obsession with some Christians concerning church attendance. In their mind, a person's salvation could be jeopardized if meetings are missed. This is a result of Calvinistic teachings rather than New Testament salvation. In my opinion, this dependency is deliberately designed into Covenant Theology to ensure the continuation of the religious institution. In all fairness, I believe you can receive salvation under their preaching, but for the rest of your life you'll be struggling with a counterfeit grace message that brings you back under the bondage of the Law from which Christ set you free (Gal. 2:4 Gal. 5:1).
This is how it works. There is a secondary usage for the word "grace". It's referred to as "Divine enablement". If someone is suffering through a crisis they might say something like, "I pray God gives me the grace to see this thing through", or "I pray God enables me with the strength to see this thing through". Grace used in this way suggests a "supernatural ability to perform or endure". Adherents to Covenant Theology allow their salvation doctrine to be influenced by this definition. The degree of influence varies among congregations. To base their beliefs "literally" on the Grace teachings of Saint Paul would wreck their doctrine. Remember the two Covenants of Works and Grace? Covenant Theology view these as two expressions of the same thing, while Dispensationalists see works (the Law) and Grace (unmerited favor) as unique administrations with totally different objectives.
According to the Calvinistic understanding, the Gospel of Grace conforms to the characteristic of Divine enablement, rather than unmerited favor. A common statement you'll hear in Covenant Theology circles is:
"Grace always exceeds the requirements of the Law."
This persuasive maneuver completely undermines the teachings of Saint Paul. Yet, most church members hardly notice. It teaches that God's Grace is the real "gift of God" and it gives you the power (or the grace) to perform good works in a way that exceeds the Law's original requirements, and thereby secures Divine favor. It's a cloaked way of saying that my religious performance or devotion contributes to salvation. This is how their Covenants of Works and Grace are "unified" and declared to be two aspects of the same truth. Yet, Saint Paul would call this practice "handling the Word of God deceitfully" (2 Cor. 4:2). It turns Paul's Gospel of Grace on its head and subtly reinstates the Law into the requirements for salvation. Yet, it is still "technically" called Grace. This is the same thing the Judaizers did in Paul's day. There's really no difference. It accomplishes its purposes within Protestant theology. We don't have to look at the various doctrines of Roman Catholicism to see wrong teaching. The Protestant side of Christianity has plenty of its own. This is why we need to look deep under the doctrinal surface when hearing teachers and theologians claim that they preach a "Grace" salvation message. A lot of dangerous teachings hide behind the label of "Grace".
Covenant Theology is popular. Do not underestimate its influence. It's a doctrine held by a majority of Christians. It has invaded not only mainline denominational churches, but also many Pentecostal and Charismatic churches and groups. I watched it slowly destroy a successful youth for Christ revival in Washington, DC during the 1970's. It has expression in the New Order Later Rain, Discipleship and Christian Restoration movements. It's also the covert influence behind what's known as Christian Reconstructionism.
Christian Reconstructionism: A popular movement that seeks to impose God's Law on the civil governments of the World (primarily the United States) and bring back a form of Old Testament "theocracy". It's also known as the "Kingdom Now" movement and is popular because of the dominance of immoral and godless lifestyles that have destroyed family values and traditional marriage. It's a misguided effort to physically bring the "Kingdom of God" to earth. This is something that Jesus plainly said wasn't a characteristic of his kingdom (Luke 17:20-21). Yet, theologians and adherents of the movement believe that civil governments must be made subject to the Kingdom of God before Jesus Christ will return. Another name for this belief is "Post-millennialism", which has its origins in Calvinistic doctrine and is a dangerous belief.
Rock of Offence does not support any of these movements or ideologies. We discuss the historic institution of blood covenant in the Bible. It's unfortunate that some groups within the Christian church have distorted such a wonderful term. This article is not designed as an exhaustive defense against Covenant Theology, but as a demonstration of the differences between our beliefs and their doctrine.
Read These Articles For More Information
Covenant Theology
Introduction To Dispensational Theology
Why I Disagree With All Five Points of Calvinism
The Battle For God's Grace
The Gospel of the Grace of God
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