I have been thinking of ways of defending Covenant Theology when discussing theology with dispensational friends. I have argued that Eph 2 clearly teaches one way of salvation and thus Eph 2 itself undermines dispensationalism. But it seems to me that Eph 1 strengthens this argument. Firstly we see that God the Father chose a people before the foundation of the world. 2:4. This is significant because it shows that God's sovereign plan in eternity past was to choose a people for Himself, not to make a distinction between Israel and the Church. Secondly, the passage goes on to describe how all the members of the Trinity work together for our salvation. Salvation is Trinitarian, Covenantal, a Sovereign plan to redeem ONE people of God.
I am specifically thinking of Calvinistic Dispensationalists here, ones influenced by John MacArthur and/or the Masters Seminary. They would affirm a 5 point Calvinism but would try to argue that Eph 2 does not deny a distinction between Israel and the Church. However, as I have sought to argue above, Eph 1 and Eph 2 work together to undermine dispensationalism and affirm Covenant theology because Eph 1 clearly is Trinitarian and Covenantal, thus laying the foundation for the argument in Eph 2.
Thoughts?
I am specifically thinking of Calvinistic Dispensationalists here, ones influenced by John MacArthur and/or the Masters Seminary. They would affirm a 5 point Calvinism but would try to argue that Eph 2 does not deny a distinction between Israel and the Church. However, as I have sought to argue above, Eph 1 and Eph 2 work together to undermine dispensationalism and affirm Covenant theology because Eph 1 clearly is Trinitarian and Covenantal, thus laying the foundation for the argument in Eph 2.
Thoughts?