DOCSLIB.ORG

New Covenant Theology

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
New Covenant Theology … It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace … Hebrews 13:9 Issue 204 February 2014 Christ, Our New Covenant King #3 In This Issue Christ, Our New Covenant King John G. Reisinger #3 1 John G. Reisinger This is the third study on “Christ Our New Covenant King.” Some of the Law, Wisdom and Christ, A Study material in this article should have been given in the first of these studies. in Biblical Theology, Part 3, Christ 1 Nearly everyone agrees with most of what we said about Christ as our Prophet Stan F. Vaninger and Priest, but there is great disagreement concerning Christ in the role of King. The primary reason for the disagreement centers on Dispensationalism’s Shepherding the New Covenant Flock: Part 3 of 6 3 position on the establishing of a future earthly kingdom with one of David’s Shepherding Imagery in the OT: sons sitting on the throne of that kingdom as king. This is referred to as “the The Lord is my Shepherd Davidic kingdom.” Steve West Scripture is quite clear in 2 Samuel 7:1-17 and 1 Chronicles 17:1-15 that God New Covenant Theology— Questions Answered 5 promised David that he, God, would establish a future kingdom and raise up one of David’s sons to sit as king on a throne in that kingdom. No one disputes the A. Blake White fact of that covenant; however, all do not agree on either the nature of the promised kingdom to David or the time of the promise being fulfilled. I would insist that the kingdom promised to David was a spiritual kingdom that was established by Christ at his first coming. I believe Christ is already sitting on the throne of that kingdom. The kingdom promised to David is the Church and Christ is David’s greater son. Classical Dispensationalism Reisinger—Continued on page 2 Law, Wisdom and Christ A Study in Biblical Theology–Part 3–Christ Stan F. Vaninger When we come to the NT, a dominant theme is that of a thew portrays Jesus as a new Moses. ‘Matthew portrays progression and fulfillment from OT revelation to the per- Jesus as the new Moses, who provides the new Israel with son and work of Christ. Jesus himself told the two disciples her new law (especially in Mt 5-7).’1 Without doubt, there on the road to Emmaus that ‘all the Scriptures’ spoke of are a number of striking parallels in Matthew between Mo- him (Luke 24:27, cf. Acts 3:24). Jesus was the prophet that ses and Christ. Typical is the list adapted from Westerholm was to come after Moses (Matt. 17:1-8; Acts 3:22-23; 7:37). and summarized below:2 The faithful were now to listen to him. The wisdom of the • Shortly after birth, both barely escape death at the OT found its fullest expression in the life and words of hands of a wicked ruler. Christ. All the promises of the OT era found their fulfill- ment in Christ (2 Cor. 1:20). Many OT types and shadows • Early in life, both spend time in Egypt. were found to have anticipated Christ. Likewise, many OT prophecies pointed to Christ in various ways. Here we are 1 Bartholomew; O’Dowd, Old Testament Wisdom Literature: A primarily interested in seeing how Christ has become a Theological Introduction, 240. more perfect expression of the wisdom of God. 2 Stephen Westerholm, Understanding Matthew (Grand Rapids, Many writers have emphasized that the gospel of Mat- MI: Baker, 2006), 68-69. Vaninger—Continued on page 12 Page 2 February 2014 Issue 204 Reisinger—Continued from page 1 cross for my sins. I totally reject the Sound of Grace is a publication of Sovereign disagrees and insists that the kingdom statement “Jesus Christ, the rejected Grace New Covenant Ministries, a tax exempt King, has died on the cross.” It was 501(c)3 corporation. Contributions to Sound promised to David was an earthly of Grace are deductible under section 170 of kingdom, and it is not yet established. not a rejected king that died for me. the Code. Jesus is said to have offered that This idea is a necessary consequence Sound of Grace is published 10 times a year. kingdom to the Jews at his first of holding the postponement theory. The subscription price is shown below. This is I believe the death of Christ on the a paper unashamedly committed to the truth coming, and they rejected it. It was of God’s sovereign grace and New Covenant postponed and will be fulfilled in cross is the good news that Jesus Theology. We invite all who love these same a future earthly millennium. The Christ, not a rejected king, but truths to pray for us and help us financially. following note in the first edition of God’s anointed Son and ordained We do not take any paid advertising. the Scofield Bible sets forth classical Prophet, Priest and King, has, in The use of an article by a particular person perfect fulfillment of the eternal is not an endorsement of all that person Dispensationalism’s position on the believes, but it merely means that we thought Davidic kingdom and throne. The purpose and promise of the Father, that a particular article was worthy of printing. quotation is listed in the footnote died on the cross as promised and Sound of Grace Board: John G. Reisinger, titled “four forms of the Gospel.” The covenanted. It is no accident that David Leon, John Thorhauer, Bob VanWing- quotation is the first form mentioned. another consequence of rejecting erden and Jacob Moseley. the present kingship of Christ is the Editor: John G. Reisinger; Phone: (585)396- II. Four forms of the Gospel are to 3385; e-mail: [email protected]. carnal Christian doctrine. Many be distinguished: General Manager: Jacob Moseley: modern dispensationalists reject the [email protected] (1) The Gospel of the kingdom. carnal Christian doctrine, but others Send all orders and all subscriptions to: This is the good news that God say such people are inconsistent in Sound of Grace, 5317 Wye Creek Drive, purposes to set up on the earth, so doing. I am sure it is not intended, Frederick, MD 21703-6938 – Phone 301- in fulfilment of the Davidic 473-8781 Visit the bookstore: http://www. Covenant (2 Sam. vii. 8, and refs.), but Scofield in the above quotation newcovenantmedia.com a kingdom, political, spiritual, makes the cross sound like a “plan B” Address all editorial material and questions Israelitish, universal, over which or after-thought. God’s real purpose to: John G. Reisinger, 3302 County Road 16, God’s Son, David’s heir, shall be and goal, or plan A, was establishing Canandaigua, NY 14424-2441. King, and which shall be, for one the earthly kingdom, but the Jews Webpage: www.soundofgrace.org or SOGNCM.org thousand years, the manifestation refused to go along with that, so plan Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken of the righteousness of God in B, the cross and the Church, was put from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNA- 1 human affairs. into effect. Plan A was “postponed” TIONAL VERSION® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by Dispensationalism is clear that until the second coming of Christ. The nature of the kingdom and its Permission. All rights reserved. Christ is not yet reigning as king. Scripture quotations marked “NKJV” are These writers will often state that supposed rejection and postponement taken from the New King James Version. Christ is our Prophet, Priest and is at the heart of the theology of Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. coming King. The following Scofield Dispensationalism. It seems to me this Used by Permission. All rights reserved. down grades the cross even though Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from footnote defining the second “form The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, of the Gospel” refers to Jesus as the that was certainly not its intention. copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a “rejected king.” It is the second of It might be good to mention division of Good News Publishers. Used by four forms of the Gospel. permission. All rights reserved. several things that are often not Contributions (2) The Gospel of the grace of discussed when Dispensationalism Orders God. This is the good news that Jesus is taught. For instance, the footnote Discover, MasterCard or VISA Christ, the rejected King (emphasis just quoted defines the kingdom If you wish to make a tax-deductible contri- mine), has died on the cross for the promised to David as being “political, bution to Sound of Grace, please mail a check sins of the world, that He was raised spiritual, Israelitish, universal, over to: Sound of Grace, 5317 Wye Creek Drive, Frederick, MD 21703-6938. from the dead for our justification, which God’s Son, David’s heir, shall and that by Him all that believe are reign as King.” If Jesus would have Please check the mailing label to find the justified from all things.…2 expiration of your subscription. Please send offered the Jews a kingdom that was payment if you want your subscription to I do not believe that it was a “political, spiritual, Israelitish and continue—$20.00 for ten issues. Or if you “rejected king” that died on the universal,” they would have accepted would prefer to have a pdf file emailed, that is it without hesitation. They would available for $10.00 for ten issues. If you are 1 C.I. Scofield, The First Scofield Refer- unable to subscribe at this time, please call or ence Bible (Westwood, NJ, Barbour never have crucified him.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pat-Abendroth-Dissertation.Pdf
    A Pastoral Note About My Doctoral Project I am glad you are interested in reading my dissertation. Given that it took a fair amount of effort and my passion for the subject matter, I am happy to share it with church members and friends. Please allow me to introduce you to the project by saying just a few things. If you ask someone what Covenant Theology is and if it is a good or bad thing, you will likely hear lots of different answers. It is fairly common for evangelicals to respond by either saying they do not know what Covenant Theology is or by describing it as something unbiblical and relating to a particular view regarding millennialism, baptism, or Israel. There are three major problems with such responses. First, classic Covenant Theology is essentially concerned with matters of sin and salvation, not something else. Second, the biblical support for such things as the federal headship of Adam and Jesus is strong (federal being from the Latin foedus meaning covenant). Third, when Covenant Theology is rejected, justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone is at best in serious jeopardy. My dissertation is a promotion and defense of classic Covenant Theology. I have written out of a pastoral passion to help people understand human history federally/covenantally just as the Apostle Paul did as he wrote inspired Scripture (see Romans 5:12-21). Likewise, I have written in order to demonstrate the vital connection between Covenant Theology and justification by faith alone, the doctrine that is so commonly compromised by rejecters of the federal perspective.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring the Contours of Paul's New Covenant
    What is So New About the New Covenant? Exploring the Contours of Paul’s New Covenant Theology in 2 Corinthians 3 Matthew Barrett Matthew Barrett is Tutor of Systematic Theology and Church History at Oak Hill Theological College in London, England. He earned his Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Systematic Theology. Dr. Barrett is the executive editor of Credo Magazine, as well as the author and editor of several books, including Salvation by Grace (P&R, 2013), Four Views on the Historical Adam (Zondervan, 2013 with A. B. Caneday), Owen on the Christian Life (Crossway, 2015 with Michael Haykin), and editor of the The 5 Solas Series (Zondervan, 2015-2017). Second Corinthians 3 is a hotly debated and difficult text. For example, Thomas Schreiner says 2 Corinthians 3 is “one of the most controverted texts in the Pauline corpus,”1 and is “full of exegetical difficulties and knotty problems.”2 David Garland believes the passage is “notoriously obscure”3 and Anthony Hanson says it is the “mount Everest of Pauline texts as far as difficulty is concerned—or should we rather call it the sphinx among texts, since its difficulty lies in its enigmatic quality rather than its com- plexity?”4 The result has been a hermeneutical maze of literature almost impossible to navigate.5 Nevertheless, the complexity and difficulty in translating and interpreting 2 Corinthians 3 is matched by its biblical-theological depth and insight.6 As the growing literature demonstrates, this one chapter leaves readers with a host of themes central to developing a Pauline theology (e.g., law, ministry, SBJT 19.3 (2015): 61-96 61 The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 19.3 (2015) Spirit, glory, covenant).
    [Show full text]
  • PROGRESSIVE COVENANTALISTS AS REFORMED BAPTISTS Daniel Scheiderer
    WTJ 82 (2020): 137–52 PROGRESSIVE COVENANTALISTS AS REFORMED BAPTISTS Daniel Scheiderer At least three new systems of covenant theology have arisen in Calvinistic Baptist circles in recent decades: new covenant theology, progressive covenantalism, and 1689 Federalism (Reformed Baptists). Each group has its own proponents and its own circles of influence, but churches impacted by each proposal are generally familiar to one another. Because progressive covenantalists initially described themselves as a subset of new covenant theology, arguments against new covenant theology were often simply co-opted for use against progressive covenantalists. This article aims to demonstrate that progressive covenantalists have significant points of continuity with their Reformed Baptist brothers that facilitate mutual benefit between the two camps. To demonstrate this continuity, the cov- enants of works and grace and the new covenant are examined in the two systems alongside their Particular Baptist forefathers to show that all three groups operate with a basically continuous infrastructure. The benefit of such a study is that it distinguishes the progressive covenantal proposal from the proposal of new covenant theology while avoiding simplistic read- ings that deny the real differences between progressive covenantalists and Reformed Baptists. The study does not deny the real tension that exists in progressive covenantalists’ reinterpretation of the fourth commandment, but it sets aside that debate so that points of clear commonalities may be seen for what they are. Too often conversations about covenant theology have passed one another, and so this article aims to initiate a conversation between two groups that ought to be the nearest allies. “ rogressive covenantalism” broke onto the scene in 2012 with Peter Gentry and Stephen Wellum’s book Kingdom through Covenant.
    [Show full text]
  • New Covenant Theology and Futuristic Premillennialism
    TMSJ 18/1 (Fall 2007) 221-232 NEW COVENANT THEOLOGY AND FUTURISTIC PREMILLENNIALISM Richard L. Mayhue Senior Vice President and Dean Professor of Pastoral Ministries and Theology New Covenant Theology (NCT) advocates have correctly abandoned the non-biblical covenants of Covenant Theology (CT). However, with few exceptions, they have inconsistently maintained CT’s eschatologies, which usually reject a future premillennial kingdom on earth, ruled over by Christ for 1,000 years in fulfillment of OT unconditional promises made to Abraham and David. After surveying the current theological landscape among prominent NCT writers, seven compelling reasons for embracing Futuristic Premillennialism (FP) are discussed: (1) Hermeneutics Is a Presupposition, Not a Theology, (2) Careful Exegesis Is Required, Not a Presupposed Theology, (3) Unconfused and Separate Identities for Israel and the Church, (4) Preservation of the Jewish Race and Israel, (5) Unconditional Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants, (6) Proper Order of Christ’s Return and Christ’s Reign, and (7) Promises of an Irreversible Restoration for the Nation. Because of these seven determinative, biblical facts, the only eschatology which would be consistent with NCT’s denial of the non-existent covenants espoused by CT would be FP. ***** This essay builds upon the four previous articles in this issue of TMSJ, dealing with New Covenant Theology (NCT): A Critique. If you have not yet read Dr. Barrick on how NCT relates to OT covenants and Dr. Vlach on how NCT relates to Covenant Theology (CT), please do so before proceeding here. NCT is to be commended for having recognized the absolute lack of biblical evidence for the three covenantal mainstays of CT, i.e., Covenant of Grace, Covenant of Redemption, and Covenant of Works.
    [Show full text]
  • NEW COVENANT THEOLOGY: What It Is and How It Differs from Covenant Theology
    NEW COVENANT THEOLOGY: What It Is and How It Differs from Covenant Theology Gary D. Long Extract (including the Dedication page, Preface, Contents, Chapter 1 and Appendix D) of a forthcoming book with the above title by the Faculty President of Providence Theological Seminary in Colorado Springs, CO. www.ptsco.org; [email protected] [Planned for publication by early 2012] Dedication To my mentor, S. Lewis Johnson, Jr., a gracious man and gentleman scholar whose submission to the teaching of the Word of God in doctrine and life lives on PREFACE This book is a condensed one volume documented work purposefully written in a non- technical, palatable style. It is designed to explain what New Covenant Theology is as a developing theological system by showing how it differs from Reformed Theology’s system of Covenant Theology. After an opening chapter to state briefly what New Covenant Theology is and how it differs from Covenant Theology, Chapter 2 surveys the historical background to the rise and development of Covenant Theology as a theological system inseparably linked to its practice of infant baptism. The follow-on chapters then elaborate upon how New Covenant Theology differs from Covenant Theology (including that Reformed Baptist teaching which also basically holds to it) by focusing upon the theological heart of its system: its one overarching covenant of grace, which undergirds its doctrine of the church (ecclesiology), and its understanding of the covenantal administration of the law of God. My approach is doctrinal not personal. I owe much to many reformed theologians holding to Covenant Theology, especially in their contribution to the sovereignty of God in creation, providence and redemption.
    [Show full text]
  • Dispensational Understanding of the New Covenant © 2012 Regular Baptist Press • Schaumburg, Illinois
    3 VIEWS Mike Stallard editor l Contributions from: John Master Dave Fredrickson Roy E. Beacham Elliott E. Johnson Rodney J. Decker Bruce Compton Dispensational Understanding of the New Covenant © 2012 Regular Baptist Press • Schaumburg, Illinois. www.RegularBaptistPress.org • 1-800-727-4440 RBP5330 • ISBN: 978-1-60776-494-6 Contents Abbreviations 6 Contributors 7 Preface 9 Mike Stallard, editor Foreword 15 John Master 1. Which Are the New Covenant Passages in the Bible? 29 Dave Fredrickson 2. The Interpretation of the New Covenant in the History of Traditional Dispensationalism 73 Mike Stallard 3. The Church Has No Legal Relationship to or Participation in the New Covenant 107 Roy E. Beacham Responses to Roy E. Beacham 145 4. The Church Has an Indirect Relationship to the New Covenant 164 Elliott E. Johnson Responses to Elliott E. Johnson 176 5. The Church Has a Direct Relationship to the New Covenant 194 Rodney J. Decker Responses to Rodney J. Decker 223 6. Epilogue: Dispensationalism, the Church, and the New Covenant 240 Bruce Compton Scripture Index 280 Abbreviations ABD Anchor Bible Dictionary ANE Ancient Near East/Ancient Near Eastern BDAG Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. BDF Blass, Debrunner, Funk, A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature DPT Dictionary of Premillennial Theology ISBE International Standard Bible Encyclopedia EDT Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 2nd ed. LEH Lust, Eynikel, Hauspie, A Greek-English Lexicon of the Septuagint L&N Louw and Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, 3rd ed.
    [Show full text]
  • Differences Between Dispensational, Covenant, and New Covenant Theology
    Differences Between Dispensational, Covenant, and New Covenant Theology Dispensational Covenant Theology New Covenant Theology May be Arminian or modified Usually those from a Reformed Calvinist. Almost never five-point perspective, though there are Same as CT Calvinist exceptions. Stresses 'literal' interpretation of Accepts both literal and figurative Same as CT the Bible (spiritual) interpretation of the Bible Almost always accept the idea of the Usually does not accept the idea 'Analogy of Faith.' (Scriptures should Same as CT of the 'Analogy of Faith.' interpret scriptures). ‘Israel’ may mean either literal, 'Israel' always means only the physical descendants of Jacob or the literal, physical descendants of Same as CT figurative, spiritual Israel, depending Jacob. on context. 'Israel of God' in Gal. 6:16 means 'Israel of God' in Gal. 6:16 means spiritual Israel, parallel to Gal. 3:29; Same as CT physical Israel alone. Rom. 2:28-29; 9:6; Phil. 3:3. In OT, believers are called simply "the elect of Israel", not the Church. God always had only one people , the NCT doesn't recognize a Church in Church gradually developed through the OT, such as in the NT. They use God has 2 peoples with 2 separate the ages, in accordance with an Matt 16:18 where Jesus said that destinies: Israel (earthly) and the Covenant worked out in etrnity past he will build His Church. "There is Church (heavenly). between the "Three Persons of the but one people of God of whom Godhead." natural Israel was the typical foreshadowing. So, the Church is the "New Israel." The Church* began in the OT (Acts 7:38) and reached fulfillment in the NT.
    [Show full text]
  • Reformation
    Reformation <Stevival A Quarterly Journal for Church Leadership Volume 6, Number 3 • Summer 1997 What Is This Thing Called the New Covenant? The entire Mosaic law comes to fulfillment in Christ, and Tom Wells this fulfillment means that this law is no longer a direct and immediate source of, or judge of, the conduct of God's peo­ ince the present issue of Reformation & Revival Journal ple. Christian behavior, rather, is now guided directly by Sis devoted to the sl,lbject of the new covenant, we will "the law of Christ." This "law" does not consist of legal pre­ need to grasp two things. First, we will have to have a clear scriptions and ordinances, but of the teaching and example idea of what the' phrase "new covenant" refers to.1 of Jesus and the apostles, the central demand of love, and Following on that we ~ill want to see in a rough way the the guiding influence of the indwelling Holy Spirit. points at which a "new covenant theology" comes into ten~ Douglas J. Moo sion with other understandings of the same phrase, along with a brief defense of each of these points. Later articles There is perhaps no part of divinity attended with so will take closer looks at some of these points and offer much intricacy, and wherein orthodox divines do so much more extensive exegetical underpinnings. differ, as stating the precise agreement and difference The only thing that all parties in the discussion agree between the two dispensations of Moses and Christ. upon is this: there is something called "the new covenant" Jonathan Edwards spoken of in both the Old Testament and the New Testament (e.g., Jer.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding the Infant Baptism in the Covenant Community of God's
    UNDERSTANDING INFANT BAPTISM IN THE COVENANT COMMUNITY OF GOD’S PEOPLE By David L. Reichelderfer B.S., Bloomsburg University, 1980 M.Ed., Bloomsburg University, 1987 A THESIS Submitted to the faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Religion) at Reformed Theological Seminary Charlotte, North Carolina October 2014 Accepted Thesis Advisor: Dr. Benjamin Gladd RTS Global President: Dr. James Anderson ii ABSTRACT The understanding of infant baptism within Presbyterian churches is on decline. This decline parallels that in other Protestant churches, especially those who identify themselves as being evangelical. This decline has been attributed to the influence of revivalism in evangelicalism, and the emphasis on baptism which follows an individual’s profession of faith. Furthermore, many evangelicals often attend churches which have different traditions from those they have attended in the past, and influence the practice of infant baptism negatively within Presbyterian churches they attend. This study seeks to present the Presbyterian understanding of infant baptism from the perspectives of history, theology and biblical studies, and apply those perspectives to circumstances in the present-day church. iii CONTENTS CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................1 2. HISTORIAL UNDERSTANDINGS OF INFANT BAPTISM .....................................3 Church Fathers Through The Middle Ages .........................................................3
    [Show full text]
  • COVENANT THEOLOGY CORAM DEO Before the Face of God   C ONTENTS True Theology   20 20 |   44 |   10
    2020 | $3 COVENANT THEOLOGY CORAM DEO Before the Face of God C ONTENTS True Theology 20 20 | 44 | 10 n a sermon on Hebrews 8:10 published on October 31, 1912, the English Baptist pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon declared: “The doctrine of the divine covenant lies at the root of all true theology. It has been said that he who well understands the distinction between the covenant of works and the covenant of grace is a mas- 4 20 ter of divinity. I am persuaded that most of the mistakes which men make con- The Covenantal The Covenants cerning the doctrines of Scripture are based upon fundamental errors with regard Hermeneutic in Scripture to the covenants of law and of grace.” Spurgeon was exactly right, and just as the eth A Mthson Robert Rothwell Ichurch at the beginning of the twentieth century needed to hear his words, the church in the twenty-first century desperately needs to hear them as well. The church in our day has largely forgotten, ignored, or denied many of the tenets of covenant theology. But to under- stand the unity of God’s Word rightly, we must understand covenant theology accurately. 8 28 The doctrine of covenant is foundational not only to our understanding of God’s prom- The Covenant Covenant Theology ises throughout history, but also to our understanding of everything—in Scripture and in History Applied in life. Covenant is not only a topic of theology; it is at the core of all theology. When we R Scott Clr 12 Donn Frederchsen talk about covenant theology, we are talking not only about one aspect of what we believe Covenant Dynamics as Christians, but we are also talking about that which constitutes part of the bedrock Gu Prentss Wters of everything we believe.
    [Show full text]
  • Intro to Revelation: Glossary of Terms
    Study Notes Intro to Revelation: Glossary of Terms The terms below will be used throughout our study of the Book of Revelation. Please note that the purpose of this document is to simply define these terms. It should not be considered an endorsement or denial of the viewpoints discussed. Eschatology Literally means the study of last things. Broadly speaking it is the theological study that seeks to understand the ultimate direction and purpose of history as it moves toward the future. The three main questions of concern in eschatology are 1. What is the kingdom of God? 2. What happens to men and women when they die? 3. How will history end? Most theologians speak of the inauguration and consummation of the kingdom. The inauguration of the kingdom was the first coming of Christ recorded in the Gospels. The consummation will be the second coming of Christ. Second Coming of Christ This is a vital doctrine upheld by every Christian to ever live. The Church has always held that to deny the second coming of Christ is to deny the Christian faith. The Nicene Creed states: He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end. Resurrection The bodily resurrection of all believers who have died in Christ will occur at the Second Coming. 1 Corinthians 15 lays out a logical defense of this doctrine. Like the Second Coming, this is an essential doctrine upheld by all Christians at all times.
    [Show full text]
  • Promise, Law, and the Gospel: Reading the Biblical Narrative with Paul Pierre Constant
    Promise, Law, and the Gospel: Reading the Biblical Narrative with Paul Pierre Constant Pierre Constant is the Chair of New Testament Studies at the Toronto Baptist Semi- nary and Bible College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada since 2003. He is also an elder at the Église chrétienne du Plateau in Gatineau where he previously served full time in pastoral ministry for fifteen years, and is involved in French-speaking ministries in Québec (SEMBEQ) and in Switzerland (Institut Biblique de Genève), where he teaches and mentors young adults. He is the author of the Survol des Évangiles (SEMBEQ, 2012), and works on a forthcoming French book on New Covenant theology. Pierre is married to Lise and together they have four adult children and five grand-children. Introduction The Bible did not come to us as a catechism, or in a way similar to a systematic theology book. Even though it contains literature written in different genres, the Bible not simply a stitching together of stories, laws, proverbs, praises to God, words spoken by prophets, miracles stories, bizarre images of dragons, stars falling from the sky, and the battle of Armageddon. As it is nowadays more and more recognized, the Bible presents a single story, from creation in the book of Genesis, to new creation in the book of Revelation. Words such as “meta-narrative,” or “the biblical storyline” and the like, are becoming more familiar. Bible readers and scholars alike acknowledge that each part of Scripture is to be read in light of its overall storyline to better understand its different components. Instead of readings paragraphs or SBJT 23.2 (2019): 123–136 123 The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 23.2 (2019) chapters in the Bible from the “street view” perspective, we slowly learn to scroll back to an overview of sections or entire books of Scripture and come to a more satisfying interpretation of more difficult passages.
    [Show full text]