The Covenant of Grace

Question 1

Three working assumption of Covenant Theology

Answer 1

• Covenant theology is reformed theology. A framework for understanding redemption
• Is a result of theological reflection on the text of scripture as it relates to our relationship to the Godhead
• The covenant of redemption grounds the covenant of Grace, enabling continuity

Question 2

Criticisms of Covenant Theology

Answer 2

• It pits Calvin against Calvinist. Calvin focused on grace, while Calvinists focus on covenant.
• ## Disregards the Historical development of the biblical narrative. By focusing on the overarching theme you disregard the distinctions between covenants

Question 3

Theologoumena pantodapa” and the Federal Basis of Theology

Answer 3

• Author John Owen
• 1st attempt to organize theology under a covenantal lens from Adam to Christ
• asserts all theology is founded upon Covenantal knowledge of God and self

Question 4

Prelapsarian vs Postlapsarian Theology

Answer 4

-Prelapsarian, pre fall.
Postlapsarian Post fall
- With the fall our theology on how we relate to God has to change because “Works” are impossible (Prelapsarian theology)
-Postlapsarian theology answers the problem with Grace through Christ

Question 5

The role of supernatural revelation

Answer 5

• We need God to know God. As a transcendent spiritual being, He can only be known so far as He’s chosen to reveal Himself.
• If theology is knowing God then theology must be covenantal. God chooses to reveal himself through the covenants
• The Bible is where we meet God in covenant,

Question 6

“The basic foundation of all revealed truths in Scripture is thus the covenant of God with believers in Christ”

Answer 6

• Heinrich Heppe, reformed dogmatics
• Asserts a covenantal framework for understanding scripture
• personal knowledge of God and Christ cannot be obtained outside of scripture, and that knowledge is expressed through covenants

Question 7

Reformation and Post-Reformation Examples of CT

Answer 7

• William Tyndale 1494-1536, “the right way of scripture is to search the Covenants.
• Robert Rollock 1555-1599, “All of Gods words pertains to the covenants
• Francis Turretin 1623-1687, “Covenant forms the centerpiece of divine-human relationship

Question 8

Early church example of CT

Answer 8

• Irenaeus c. 130-c. 200, “Zelaous for the Covenant of Christ”

Question 9

Development of CT

Answer 9

• CT is aligned with the church from Irenaeus to Owen
• By the time you get to the reformation CT blossoms
• CT was not a new invention, it was a rediscovery of the OT!

Question 10

Covenant of Grace

Answer 10

• Seeks to fulfill the covenant of works through Christ as our mediator
• Unifies all the parts of Scripture. God provides what we cannot provide ourselves
• received in Faith and repentance
• Gods covenant with the elect for their redemption

Question 11

Covenant of Redemption

Answer 11

• Gods covenant with the Son regarding the elect
• The agreement between the trinity
• reflects the marching orders of the son

Question 12

Patrick Gillespie

Answer 12

• Scottish Theologian
• Author of “The Ark of the Covenant Opened”,
• Asserts the Cov. of grace is founded on the Cov. of redemption

Question 13

David Dickson and James Durham

Answer 13

• Scottish Theologians
• Co-Author of “The Summe of Saving
  Knowledge”
• Asserts the Sum of the Cov of redemption is that God has freely chosen to save some unto life. Through an agreement with Christ to take on human nature, satisfy the law and die in their stead.