I’ve never actually considered learning more about covenant theology until I read Robert Leetham’s “The Work of Christ” and his consistent references to Christ’s fulfillment of the Old Testament covenants. For the next several days, hopefully by the time we reach GW for early move-in, I will be posting on John Murray’s essay titled “The Covenant of Grace: A Biblico-Theological Study”. Click here, to read it.
Defining “Covenant”
What does the word “covenant” mean? Murray provides us a list of different influential scholars who have answered the question in varying ways.
Henry Bullinger describes the covenant of grace as unity through agreement between God and men involving God’s promise and man’s condition of keeping the covenant through obedience.
Ursinus describes it in similar terms, as a mutual pact between God and men, where God promises to be favorable and gracious and the men are faithful and repentant. The covenant of grace has its outward expression in the sacraments.
Francis Turretin defines the covenant grace:
a gratuitous pact between God offended and man the offender, entered into in Christ, in which God promises to man freely on account of Christ remission of sins and salvation, and man relying on the same grace promises faith and obedience. Or it is a gratuitous agreement between God the offended one and man the offender concerning grace and glory in Christ to be conferred upon man the sinner on the condition of faith.
Turretin’s definition contains the elements of: 1) author, 2) parties contracting, 3) Mediator
A bit short today, but hopefully good starts for our brief look at covenant theology. Sammy should also begin posting again.
