Pros And Cons Of Covenants

Covenant theology developed fairly recently with the secondary reformers and is defined loosely as a doctrine or system of theology that explains the relationship between God and mankind (Ryrie, 2007). Unlike dispensationalists who focus on epochs of time, covenant theologians base covenant doctrine on biblical themes, especially God’s covenants with ethnic Israel recorded in the Old Testament (Reid, Linder, Shelley, & Stout, 1990). Hence, most covenant theologians systematically interpret the Scriptures based on two or three features or covenants: works, redemption, and grace (Enns, 2014). The Covenant of Works is based on the promise of eternal life God made to Adam (Gen. 2:15-17) for his obedience (Enns, 2014). Therefore, to receive the benefit of the covenant, Adam was to refrain from eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Enns, 2014). Unfortunately, Adam failed and

Furthermore, dispensational theology, unlike covenant theology, does not spiritualize or replace Israel with the church, and purports that God will completely fulfill the covenant provisions of the Abrahamic (Gen. 12:1-3) and Davidic (2 Sam. 7:12-16) covenants upon Christ’s return to establish the Millennial Kingdom (Enns, 2014). In addition, dispensational theology also leaves no room for a Covenant of Works concerning Adam, nor does dispensational theology ascribe to any teaching on a partial Trinitarian Covenant of Redemption between God the Father, and God the Son. However, both covenantal and dispensational theologians have been accused of tampering with God’s grace by teaching different ways of salvation through the dispensations and the covenantal doctrines of law and grace (Enns, 2014). Accusations aside, the Bible affirms that salvation is by God’s grace alone, through faith alone in the personhood of Jesus Christ (Eph.