Shepherds College Systematic Theology Session 11

Covenant. 18 November 2025 Definitions 1. Covenant 2. Contract 3. Suzerain Covenant 4. Covenants in Scripture Covenant of Works The covenant of works is an essential concept in covenant theology, framed through the opening chapters of Genesis with Adam viewed as the federal head of humanity[1]. In this covenant, God created humans as free creatures and established a pact that included: (1) a promise of eternal life conditional on perfect obedience during a probationary period, (2) the threat of death for disobedience, and (3) sacramental elements like the tree of life[2]. Adam was created in a state of innocence with the abilities to fulfill his commission, and his role was crucial because he was not just the natural head but the federal (legal) representative of all humanity. When he transgressed, the guilt of his actions was imputed to his children[1]. Before the fall, Adam was perfect but could have sinned. Had he maintained his perfection, he would have been confirmed in righteousness. However, his fall affected the entire human race, with all now being conceived and born in sin, leaving no hope without God's intervention[2]. Fortunately, God intervened with the covenant of grace, which forgives sins and accepts people as children through Jesus Christ's merits, by faith[2]. This covenant of works is significant not only for understanding sin but also for establishing the principle of corporate solidarity and providing a foundation for Christ's active obedience and the law/gospel distinction in Reformed theology[1]. [1] Brent E. Parker and Richard J. Lucas, "Introduction to Covenantal and Dispensational Theologies: Four Views on the Continuity of Scripture," in Covenantal and Dispensational Theologies: Four Views on the Continuity of Scripture, ed. Brent E. Parker and Richard J. Lucas, Spectrum Multiview Books (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2022), 6-8. [2] M. Eugene Osterhaven, "Covenant Theology," in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. Daniel J. Treier and Walter A. Elwell (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017), 215. Covenant of Grace The Covenant of Grace is a divine arrangement whereby God offers life and salvation to sinners through Jesus Christ, requiring faith for salvation[1]. This covenant ensures that all people, both in the Old and New Testaments, are saved through faith in Christ, with Jesus being central to salvation throughout all time[1]. Covenant theologians typically view it as encompassing the Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New Covenants, understood as one covenant with multiple administrations[2]. The covenant is a profound agreement between the omnipotent, faithful God and the elect, who are sinful by nature. Through this covenant, God promises deliverance and full salvation by grace through Jesus Christ[3]. Its core promise is "I will be your God, and ye shall be my people," effectively removing the barrier of sin between God and the elect, and securing all the benefits of salvation, including eternal life[2]. Interestingly, this Covenant of Grace is interrelated with an eternal intratrinitarian covenant, where Christ earns the kingdom reward through his messianic mission, and then by grace makes believers co-heirs of what he has earned[4]. While the specific provisions of the covenant varied throughout redemptive history, the essential condition of requiring faith in Christ remained constant[5]. [1] Mark Jones, "Puritans on Paedobaptist Covenant Theology," in To God's Glory: Lessons on Puritanism (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2019), 231. [2] Brian Collins, "The Covenants of Grace," in Lexham Survey of Theology, ed. Mark Ward et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018). [3] Wilhelmus à Brakel, The Christian's Reasonable Service, ed. Joel R. Beeke, trans. Bartel Elshout, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 1992), 429. [4] Meredith G. Kline, God, Heaven and Har Magedon: A Covenantal Tale of Cosmos and Telos (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2006), 74. [5] Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House, 2004), 1239. Covenant of Redemption The covenant of redemption refers to the Triune God's sovereign decree and plan from eternity past that he is accomplishing in history[1]. It is a unique covenant among the members of the Trinity, where the Son agreed to become human, be our representative, obey the covenant of works on our behalf, and pay the penalty for sin[2]. The Father's part of this covenant included: - Giving the Son a people to redeem - Sending the Son as a representative - Preparing a body for the Son - Accepting the Son as representative - Giving him authority in heaven and earth, including the power to pour out the Holy Spirit[2] The Son's agreement involved: - Coming into the world as a man - Living under the Mosaic law - Being perfectly obedient to the Father's commands - Becoming obedient even to death on the cross - Gathering a people so that none given by the Father would be lost[2] While this might seem like speculative theology, there is substantial scriptural evidence. The elect were chosen in Christ before the world's foundation, with promises made to Christ that he would be given a people by the Father. Essentially, the Son was granted an eternal arrangement to save and redeem a specific people[3]. Ultimately, the covenant of grace in time is made possible by this eternal covenant of redemption[3]. [1] Oren R. Martin, "How Does Covenant Theology Understand Biblical Theology?," in 40 Questions about Biblical Theology, ed. Benjamin L. Merkle, 40 Questions Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2020), 180. [2] Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House, 2004), 518. [3] Kevin DeYoung, "Afterword: Why Covenant Theology?," in Covenant Theology: Biblical, Theological, and Historical Perspectives, ed. Guy Prentiss Waters, J. Nicholas Reid, and John R. Muether (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020), 592-593. Structure of the Suzerain Covenant 1. Who's in charge here? True Transcendence (Deuteronomy 1:1-5) 2. To whom do I report? Hierarchy (Deuteronomy 1:6-4:49) 3. What are the rules? Ethics (Deuteronomy 5-26) 4. What do I get for obeying or disobeying? Sanctions (Deuteronomy 27-30) 5. Does this outfit have a future? Continuity (Deuteronomy 31-34) Examples of Covenant Genesis 2:15 Genesis 3:8-24 Genesis 15 Genesis 6:18 Covenant of Grace John 6:37 John 17:4 John 17:18 Romans 5:12-21 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 1 Corinthians 15:47-49 Galatians 3:16 Hebrews 7:22 Hebrews 10:10 2