Covenants In Reformed Theology and Dispensational Theology
Introduction
There are two views of the types or numbers of Covenants between God and man. Reformed (Covenant Theology) sees Scripture structured around three overarching covenants (Redemption, Works, Grace), emphasizing God’s unified plan of salvation. Dispensational Theology sees multiple biblical covenants tied to distinct dispensations (periods of God’s administration), such as Edenic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New Covenants, often distinguishing between Israel and the Church.
The difference between the Reformed (Covenant Theology) and Dispensational Theology
1. Core Idea: One unified redemptive plan vs Multiple distinct administration
2. Key Questions: How does God save? vs How does God govern history?
3. Israel & Church: One people of God (continuity) vs Distinct Peoples (discontinuity)
4. Eternal Focus: Very Explicit vs. Implicit but less systematized.
Reformed (Covenant Theology)
Definition: Reformed theology interprets the Bible through the lens of covenants, viewing them as the backbone of God’s relationship with humanity. Covenants are not just agreements but divine promises grounded in grace and fulfilled in Christ.
Key Covenants:
Covenant of Redemption – An eternal pact within the Trinity: the Father appoints the Son to redeem the elect, and the Spirit applies salvation.
Covenant of Works – God’s arrangement with Adam, requiring perfect obedience for eternal life. Adam’s failure brought condemnation.
Covenant of Grace – God’s promise to save sinners through Christ, progressively revealed through biblical history:
- Adamic administration - Promise of Redemption (Gen 3)
- Noahic administration - Preservation (Gen 9)
- Abrahamic administration - Promise and faith (Gen 12,15)
- Mosaic administration - Law as tutor (Exod-Deut)
- Davidic administration - Kingly line (2 Sam 7)
- New Covenant - Fulfillment (Christ)
- Everlasting Covenant - Eternal State (Rev 21,22) - Covenant of Grace fully consumated. Eternal relationship with God, complete restoration of creation.
Dispensational (Dispensational Theology)
Definition: Dispensationalism divides history into distinct “dispensations” (eras of God’s governance). Each dispensation has corresponding covenants, some conditional and some unconditional. It emphasizes a distinction between Israel and the Church, with covenants often tied to Israel’s national destiny
Key Covenants
| Covenant | Scripture | Scope | Key Promise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edenic Adamic | Beginning Genesis 1–3 | Humanity Humanity | God’s command to Adam in Eden (dominion, fruitfulness, prohibition of the tree) [Conditional; Broken) Dominion over creation, promise of redemption after the fall (Genesis 3:15). [Unconditional; Ongoing] |
| Noahic | Genesis 9 | All creation | God will never again destroy the earth by flood; rainbow as sign. [Unconditional; Ongoing] |
| Abrahamic | Genesis 12, 15, 17 | Abraham & descendants | Land, nationhood, blessing to all nations through his seed. [Unconditional; Partially Fulfilled] |
| Mosaic | Exodus 19–24 | Israel | Law given at Sinai; blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience. [Conditional; Fulfilled/ ended) |
| Land (Palestinian) Davidic | Deuteronomy 2 Samuel 7 | Israel David’s line | Promise of Israel’s restoration to the land. [Conditional; Future] Promise of an eternal throne through David’s offspring. [Unconditional; Awaiting full fulfillment] |
| New Covenant | Jeremiah 31:31–34; Luke 22:20 | All believers | Forgiveness of sins, indwelling Spirit, heart transformation through Christ. This includes Everlasting Covenant (Heb 13:20, Rev 21-22) [Unconditional; inaugurated but not yet complete] |
1. Unity vs. Discontinuity
Reformed (Covenant Theology): Sees one overarching Covenant of Grace unfolding through history. Israel and the Church are part of the same covenant people, united in Christ.
Dispensationalism: Sees multiple distinct covenants tied to different dispensations. Israel and the Church are separate entities with different destinies.
Contradiction: Reformed emphasizes continuity; Dispensational emphasizes discontinuity.
2. Israel and the Church
Reformed: The Church is the continuation of Israel (spiritual Israel). Old Testament promises find fulfillment in Christ and His people.
Dispensational: Israel and the Church are distinct. Promises to Israel (like land and kingdom) will be fulfilled literally in the future, not spiritually in the Church.
Contradiction: Reformed sees one people of God; Dispensational sees two peoples of God.
3. Covenant Structure
Reformed: Organizes theology around three theological covenants (Redemption, Works, Grace).
Dispensational: Organizes theology around biblical covenants (Edenic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New, etc.), tied to dispensations.
Contradiction: Reformed covenants are theological and overarching; Dispensational covenants are historical and distinct.
4. Fulfillment in Christ
Reformed: All covenants culminate in Christ, who fulfills the Covenant of Grace.
Dispensational: Christ fulfills the New Covenant, but other covenants (like land promises to Israel) await future literal fulfillment.
Contradiction: Reformed sees fulfillment as already realized in Christ; Dispensational sees fulfillment as partly future and literal for Israel.
Summary
Reformed Theology: One covenant of grace, continuity, Israel = Church.
Dispensational Theology: Multiple covenants, discontinuity, Israel ≠ Church.
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