Covenant Theology: Introduction & Overview (Part One)

In this first session, we are doing a big picture overview of Covenant Theology. We discuss how Covenant Theology serves as a biblical framework for understanding scripture, give an overview of the three major covenants that form that framework, and explain why a covenantal understanding of scripture is so important for our everyday life as Christians.

Instructor: Jon Moffitt, Justin Perdue, and Jimmy Buehler

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Keywords:
Covenant Theology
Pactum Solutis
Covenant of Works
Covenant of Grace
Covenant of Redemption
1689 Federalism
Baptist Covenant Theology
Westminster Confession
1689 London Baptist Confession

[pietersmith]

So I've been battling with the notion of Covenant Theology for a few years now. Been reading a lot, listening a lot, but today it clicked. I'm thankful for your gracious method of teaching. Thank you.

[RobGamer]

I'm excited to continue to listen to this series. I started studying covenant theology a month or so ago. It's all new to me having come up in a dispy home. Learning about covenant theology has helped me get to know God better!

[mattmsharp]

Man, you guys have been a blessing to me. I wish there was a Reformed Baptist Church here in Searcy Arkansas. I presume the Church of Christ has ran them out.

[rosemarysutton]

So wonderful to know I can't add or take away what Jesus did for me

[FreedomTours]

I was jimmy’s youth Pastor… so proud to hear that he has landed here with his beliefs. I found this accidentally.

[mrhudson]

Thank you men for this excellent study and presentation. I know a lot of time and work went into the planning including the addition of the transcript. THANK YOU!

[bhimsen]

Thanks. Listening in for the second time.
I praise the Lord for your ministry.
Bhim sen
Nz.

[jacksamia]

This is awesome!! Loud and clear...Thankyou brothers..

[emf]

I disagree with your comment that we all read scripture through a lens. As a new convert 40 years ago, I voraciously read scripture to learn more about God and as I read, I discovered fascinating things about Him and His plans for redemption. Obviously, I did not understand everything so I put those on a shelf until I could learn more. I think if we approach scripture as a complete neophyte, it’ll be relatively clear. Unfortunately, as we become part of a church body and listen to doctrine preached from the pulpit, we begin to put on specific lenses! Then the Lord has to go back and ‘adjust’ the lens!

[Matthew-]

You can’t have different covenants without different dispensations (time periods in which God relates to mankind through particular covenants and rules). Covenant theology and dispensational theology are portrayed as opposite viewpoints, yet the reality is that they are hand in glove. They are both essential elements to understanding correctly the Bible as a whole.

[Benjamin-rphq]

I noticed the views die off by the last video. I started skeptic but by the end I can really encourage people to watch the entire series. Plenty to glean from even if you aren't reformed (I'm not reformed)

[rosemarysutton]

We are ambassadors for Christ Jesus with the gospel of reconciliation

[rosemarysutton]

Such a thrill to tell someone they have been reconciled to God with nothing between them Jesus paid it all

[williamtolbert]

I Thank you for this introduction to COVENANT THEOLOGY. I have been studying Dispensationalism for a while, never knew much about it, now I am trying to study Covenant Theology, and decide which way to go here. I have listened to John MacArthur and R.C. Sproul for many years. I am a part time Believer in Calvinism and Predestination. and Dispensationalism does not go there much. The main foundation of their doctrine is the Apostle Paul and From Mid Acts to Philemon, which is for the Church. The Old Testament is only Historical information, But they say The Bible is For you But everything in the Bible is not Address to you. The Books of the New Testament after Philemon is for the Tribulation Jews and Lost after the Church has been Raptured off the Earth. Which includes Revelations. So I am between a rock and a hard place. So of it is credible, and some of it is a lost in understanding.

[gillesalbert]

I do agree that because of Adam all have sinned, and you said if Adam would have no sinned we would be living with God, but do you think if Adam did not sin someone would have sin down the line, let me know

[martinea]

You explained that Adam was under a works covenant because if he had obeyed God (ie not eaten the fruit) he would have “earned” his righteousness. The problem is Adam was already righteous when God created man God said it was good. At the same time you say adam fell when he disobeyed and went into a fallen state. So this indicates that you understand he was in a superior state before the fall. How then can you call the Adamic covenant a works based covenant when it was not his works that made him righteous?

I think this just shows the danger of reading your systematic into the scripture

[lesliestroud]

Is it possible to be postmill and adhere to covenant of works/grace?

[meisaak]

Without the base of the old testament, wouldn't Jesus's blood needed to atone for sins seem odd? The base of the old testament builds upon itself until the fulfillment in the new testament. The prophecies about Christ are in the OT and revealed/accomplished in the NT. This didn't really answer any questions for me, but there seems to be a lot of positioning and build up to something. The Adam covenant didn't really make sense either, since covenants are sealed in blood, and no blood was spilled until after Adam sinned. Abraham didn't walk through the blood, but God did, and Jesus's blood was the blood of the new covenant.

[mattlepage]

CT is interpreted through the Reformation; Creed and Confession. Hence, you don't allow scripture to interpret scripture. Which is wrong. The New Testament priority does not help us explain the Bible, but it is that both Testaments help us explain the Bible.

[scotwells]

How is this different from dispensations? Aren’t the two synonymous?