I was thinking about how one might visualize “Biblical Covenantalism.” Traditional Dispensationalism has its seven dispensations; Progressive Dispensationalism its four. But BC does not regard dispensations as basic to the system. That is to say, dispensations do not structure BC. I have given my reasons for this before. If I were asked to put my finger on one problem with defining a system by dispensations it would be that they are descriptive, not prescriptive. Because they don’t prescribe anything, Dispensational-ism has …
Category: Theology
Another excerpt from The Words of the Covenant: A Biblical Theology A Concern for God’s Covenants The prophet Jeremiah is certainly concerned about covenant. He refers constantly to the Mosaic covenant (e.g. Jer.11:1-12), especially as understood in Deuteronomy. But chapter 3 shows him to be focused also on the Davidic covenant (Jer. 3:17), and the land aspect of the Abrahamic covenant (Jer. 3:18. Cf. 25:5). Having noted this there are still signs of God’s allegiance to Israel, as when in …
This is an older post which I have taken the opportunity to revise and update, hopefully in light of more mature thinking. A Little Back-Story As many of my readers will know, I have spent a lot of time and energy trying to place Dispensational theology on what I believe is a more secure footing. Dispensationalism has not produced many top-line academic works, especially in the last half century, and with only one or two exceptions it presents itself as …
Part Five The Kingdom of God and the New Heaven and New Earth The prediction of a new heaven and a new earth seems to throw a spanner in the works of those interpreters who think they see a kingdom-age after the second coming of Christ but before the New Creation. I think McClain is right in saying that the prophet simply views the kingdom-age and the New Creation together.[1] And it is true that the Prophets do place events …
The Day of the LORD in the Old Testament[1] The expression “the Day of the Lord” is sometimes thought to refer to the time of the end of this age.[2] Unquestionably, there are passages which do refer to the eschaton, and we shall look at them, but not every usage of the phrase can be slotted into the last days; the locust plague in Joel 1 being a case in point. In Joel 1 the Day of the Lord …
Part Four God and Israel: A Special Bond Isaiah 54 is a reminder to Israel that she bears a special relationship to Yahweh, who is both her Redeemer and Husband (Isa. 54:5). This role of husband has been seen already in Hosea (2:16), and will be repeated in Jeremiah (Jer. 3:14; 31:32). It is no coincidence that what might properly be labelled “New covenant blessings” follow the atoning work of the Suffering Servant. The overtures of God to Israel ought …
Part Three The Suffering Servant God’s Servant reappears in Isaiah 52:13-53:12. This passage is of great significance because in it the Holy Spirit puts emphasis not on the reign of Messiah (if I may at this place call Him that), but upon His sufferings. It is a singular fact that the Old Testament prophecies are more concerned with the reign of the coming Ruler than with his death. This point has even caused interpreters to question whether we are dealing …
Part Two The Intertwining of the Covenants: A Little Summary of the Coming Kingdom In these kinds of passages Isaiah presents a picture of the future kingdom of the Branch that is glorious in many respects. It is fair and just and safe and beautiful. After the initial battles, there will be a realization of the dream of world peace, brought about by the great mass of people turning to the true God; a New covenant era. Additionally, the beautification …
Part One Isaiah 11 A great monarch, called the “Branch” (Isa. 11:1. Cf. 4:2) will be possessed of the Holy Spirit (11:2). His wisdom and justice will be equal to Yahweh (11:2-4). Already Isaiah has taught us that this person will be miraculously conceived by a virgin (7:14 cf. Gen. 3:15); and no wonder, because He will be “Immanuel” – God with us. Now we understand more clearly the import of Micah’s words about the coming One, “Whose goings forth …
This post and those to follow are extracts from a draft chapter in the book ‘The Words of the Covenant: A Biblical Theology’ Vol. 1 (forthcoming d.v.) The prophet Isaiah prosecuted his ministry between around 755 to 685 B.C.[1] Isaiah has a lot to say about both the developing picture of the Creation Project and the person of the promised King who will reign upon the earth. His presentation of both of these broad themes furthers the developmental picture of …
