Scott Bushey
Puritanboard Commissioner
I find it funny that White says:
"If we approach the topic backwards, beginning with traditions regarding covenant membership, signs, or a particular view of apostasy, we run a great danger of turning the direct and plain exegesis of the text of Hebrews upon its head."
and Neill says:
"From the outset, note that the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews inserts the entire quotation of Jeremiah 31:31-34 to assert the truths of the New Covenant. The entire quotation is concerned with the "œnewness," not just verse 11, so whatever interpretation is derived from this text must be applied to the entire quotation. One cannot come to a single verse and declare, "œThis is what is new!" without regard for the other phrases and realities; the author is making a point about the newness of the New Covenant, and the quotation from Jeremiah corroborates that point. Let us now begin to consider some specific matters that are not new in the New Covenant.
The passage does not teach a radical separation between the peoples of the Old and New Testaments
I will effect a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. (8:8)
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel. (8:10)
The passage is clear: this new covenant will be made with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. The Church of this New Covenant era is referred to as Judah and Israel, the people of God. This fact is in perfect consonance with the teaching of the New Testament. The Apostle Paul writes to the Church in Galatia and refers to the saints as "œthe Israel of God" (6:16) and refers to himself and the disciples in Philippi as members of "œthe circumcision" (3:2). The Church in the New Covenant era is frequently described in the same terms used to refer to the people of God during the Old Covenant administration (1 Peter 2:9-10; Romans 9:24-26). Additionally, note that God did not initiate a new standard of conduct for His people in the New Covenant era. The text is clear: "œI will put my laws into their minds, and I will write them upon their hearts" (8:10). God´s law, the transcript of His holiness and expectation for His people, being upon the hearts of His people is not part of the newness of the New Covenant."
It looks to me like White hasalready turned the plain exegesis of the Hebrews passage on it's ear...........first paragraph!
"If we approach the topic backwards, beginning with traditions regarding covenant membership, signs, or a particular view of apostasy, we run a great danger of turning the direct and plain exegesis of the text of Hebrews upon its head."
and Neill says:
"From the outset, note that the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews inserts the entire quotation of Jeremiah 31:31-34 to assert the truths of the New Covenant. The entire quotation is concerned with the "œnewness," not just verse 11, so whatever interpretation is derived from this text must be applied to the entire quotation. One cannot come to a single verse and declare, "œThis is what is new!" without regard for the other phrases and realities; the author is making a point about the newness of the New Covenant, and the quotation from Jeremiah corroborates that point. Let us now begin to consider some specific matters that are not new in the New Covenant.
The passage does not teach a radical separation between the peoples of the Old and New Testaments
I will effect a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. (8:8)
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel. (8:10)
The passage is clear: this new covenant will be made with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. The Church of this New Covenant era is referred to as Judah and Israel, the people of God. This fact is in perfect consonance with the teaching of the New Testament. The Apostle Paul writes to the Church in Galatia and refers to the saints as "œthe Israel of God" (6:16) and refers to himself and the disciples in Philippi as members of "œthe circumcision" (3:2). The Church in the New Covenant era is frequently described in the same terms used to refer to the people of God during the Old Covenant administration (1 Peter 2:9-10; Romans 9:24-26). Additionally, note that God did not initiate a new standard of conduct for His people in the New Covenant era. The text is clear: "œI will put my laws into their minds, and I will write them upon their hearts" (8:10). God´s law, the transcript of His holiness and expectation for His people, being upon the hearts of His people is not part of the newness of the New Covenant."
It looks to me like White hasalready turned the plain exegesis of the Hebrews passage on it's ear...........first paragraph!