Lesson 1 - Introduction to CT

Question 1

What 5 things does Covenant Theology help explain?

Answer 1

1. ) atonement
2. ) Assurance of salvation
3. ) Sacraments
4. ) Redemptive History
5. ) The dynamic of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility

Question 2

What is Ligon Duncan’s definition of Covenant Theology?

Answer 2

“The gospel set in the context of God’s eternal plan of communion with his people; and its historical outworking in the covenant of works and grace.”

Question 3

What did JI Packer say about Covenant Theology and the gospel?

Answer 3

“The gospel of God is not properly understood until it is viewed within a covenantal framework.”

Question 4

What are three observations about what Covenant Theology is?

Answer 4

1. ) A hermeneutic that attempts to explain the unity of God’s revelation
2. ) Blending of both systematic and biblical theology
3. ) Central, not peripheral to the Biblical story

Question 5

What is Covenant Theology not?

Answer 5

1. ) A response to dispensationalism

2. ) A response to baptize infants

Question 6

What are some of the main issues of Covenant Theology?

Answer 6

1. ) Imputation of Adam’s sin and nature
2. ) Extent of the atonement
3. ) Seeking to understand all of redemptive history

Question 7

What is a covenant?

Answer 7

1. ) “A bond in blood sovereignly administered” - O. Palmer Robertson
2. ) “An agreement between two or more persons.” – Augustine

Question 8

What are the hebrew, greek words for Covenant?

Answer 8

Hebrew: Berit
Greek: Diatheke

Question 9

What are the latin words for covenant and their meaning?

Answer 9

1. ) Testamentum - testament
2. ) Foedus - federal
3. ) Pactum - pact

Question 10

What are two misconceptions about covenant?

Answer 10

1. ) A covenant is a contract

2. ) A covenant has conditions

Question 11

What are the 4 definitions of a covenant from Scripture?

Answer 11

1. ) Special/unique/specific oath bound relationship (Joshua 9, Hebrews 8:7-13)
2. ) Securing and Structuring the special oath bound relationship (1 Sam 18, Genesis 21:25)
3. ) A sign of confirmation for the oath bound relationship (Gen. 17)
4. ) Written revelation associated with a specific biblical covenant (2 Cor. 3:14, 10 commandments)

Question 12

What is the unifying theme of the covenants?

Answer 12

The Immanuel Principle (I shall be your God, and you shall be my people”

Question 13

How is the Covenant of Grace and works related?

Answer 13

The covenant of grace is simply the execution of the original agreement of the covenant of works by Christ as our surety.

Question 14

What are the 3 covenants that typically organize covenant theology?

Answer 14

1. ) Covenant of Works (God and Adam)
2. ) Covenant of Redemption (Trinitarian)
3. ) Covenant of Grace (God and sinners)

Question 15

How has the Covenant of Grace been differently administered over time?

Answer 15

The covenant of grace in all ages has the same substance, but has been different administered.

1. ) Under the law: promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all fore signifying Christ to come.
2. ) Under the gospel: preaching of the word, and the administration of the Lord’s supper and Baptism.

Question 16

What are the 5 biblical themes of Covenant Theology?

Answer 16

1. ) Parties
2. ) Promises
3. ) Conditions (Stipulations)
4. ) Penalty
5. ) Signs

Question 17

What are the roles of signs in the covenant?

Answer 17

The sign operates as the physical, tangible, visible, ritual act to confirm, mark, display, and show God’s promise.

Question 18

What is meant by the Covenant of Redemption?

Answer 18

The Intra-Trinitarian relationship of God before the foundations of the world.

Question 19

How do the Puritans and WCF differ regarding the covenants in scripture?

Answer 19

Puritans: Covenant of Redemption, Works, and Grace
WCF: Covenant of works and grace