ReformedWretch
Puritan Board Doctor
This was directed at me on another forum;
Without trying to explain all the details of covenant theology I will simply say that it has many problems.
It begins by assuming two (or three) covenants that are never mentioned in Scripture.
It tries to unify scripture by saying that Biblical distinctions are merely different phases of the same Covenant of Grace. For example, they insist that the Mosaic Covenant is essentially the same as the Abrahamic Covenant. Yet, the apostle Paul asserts the distinctiveness of these two covenants in Galatians 3:18. Even a cursory reading of these two covenants reveals that the Abrahamic Covenant was unconditional whereas the Mosaic Covenant had many conditions attached.
It denies the distinctiveness of the gospel of grace and the gospel of the kingdom.
It denies the distinction between Israel and the Church.
It uses a double standard with regard to interpretation of Scripture. Covenant theologians use the historical-grammatical method of interpretation, except for passages concerning future events. When dealing with passages regarding the future of Israel or the kingdom of God they revert to Augustine´s allegorical or spiritualizing method of interpretation.
It places the believer under the law.
This last point, in my opinion, is probably the most devastating blow against Christian doctrine and practice. The Galatian error of law and works has plagued the church from its very beginning. Covenant theology has only served to promote this error.
Without trying to explain all the details of covenant theology I will simply say that it has many problems.
It begins by assuming two (or three) covenants that are never mentioned in Scripture.
It tries to unify scripture by saying that Biblical distinctions are merely different phases of the same Covenant of Grace. For example, they insist that the Mosaic Covenant is essentially the same as the Abrahamic Covenant. Yet, the apostle Paul asserts the distinctiveness of these two covenants in Galatians 3:18. Even a cursory reading of these two covenants reveals that the Abrahamic Covenant was unconditional whereas the Mosaic Covenant had many conditions attached.
It denies the distinctiveness of the gospel of grace and the gospel of the kingdom.
It denies the distinction between Israel and the Church.
It uses a double standard with regard to interpretation of Scripture. Covenant theologians use the historical-grammatical method of interpretation, except for passages concerning future events. When dealing with passages regarding the future of Israel or the kingdom of God they revert to Augustine´s allegorical or spiritualizing method of interpretation.
It places the believer under the law.
This last point, in my opinion, is probably the most devastating blow against Christian doctrine and practice. The Galatian error of law and works has plagued the church from its very beginning. Covenant theology has only served to promote this error.