Covenant and KingdomWeek 1 - What is Covenant Theology and Why Study It?Hebrews 10:19-25
Why study covenant theology?
Properly understanding covenant gives us deeper grounds for greater assurance of our faith, and a greater appreciation of God’s wisdom and faithfulness
Covenant is the way that God relates to man and the way that the members of the Godhead relate to one another
Helps us to see the fullness, scope, continuity, authority, and applicability of all of Scripture
Helps to provide a framework for understanding the whole of Scripture in its context
What is covenant theology?
The study and explanation of the united purpose of God in all history past, present , and future (Samuel Renihan)
A framework for biblical interpretation, informed by exegetical, biblical, and systematic theology, that recognizes that the redemptive history revealed in Scripture is explicitly articulated through a succession of covenants, thus providing an organizing principle for biblical theology (Ligon Duncan)
Strong emphasis on the historical development and outworking of God’s redemptive plan
Considers and impacts various branches of theology, thus it is important that we carefully consider it and understand it
Key terms/concepts
Covenant - A commitment guaranteed by a solemn oath, with the threat of [divine] sanctions
Typology - The study of analogical correspondence among revealed truths about persons, events, institutions, and other things within the historical framework of God’s special revelation, which, from a retrospective view, are of a prophetic nature and are escalated in their meaning (Greg Beale)
Federal Head - One covenant representative whom God deals with and who connects all those under his headship to the covenant
Covenants of Works - Covenants in which promised blessings are received on the basis of works done
Covenants of Grace - Covenants in which promised blessings are received on the basis of free grace as a gift
Kingdom/Dominion - Covenants delegate authority, grant dominion over a particular sphere
What makes a covenant?
Sanctions - Threats that enforce and ensure the fulfillment of covenant commitments