What we believe about Covenant Theology at PressieChurch.org

This site is a vociferous advocate of Covenant theology because it is our opinion that this is the most faithful framework to understand God and his redemptive purposes in Christ. As a response to the spreading indifference and ambivalence towards reformed theology within the Presbyterian Church of Australia this site hopes to encourage and engage many on this most important issue.  

 

Covenant Theology, Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology

Covenant theology is Biblical theology. At its best, it's inherently sensitive to redemptive history and as a consequence provides the redemptive lens in which the various covenants in the Old Testament are understood to be fulfilled through the person and work of Jesus Christ our righteousness. However, Covenant theology not only relies on biblical theology but also systematic theology.

 

Indeed, biblical theology requires systematic theology, if biblical theology follows salvation history, then it requires systematic theology to traverse salvation history and correlate truths and then by inference and deduction formulate our systematic theology. That's not only how you get the theological covenants (of redemption, works and grace) but how we get the doctrine of the Trinity or much of our Christology, not through proof text, but by inference and deduction from the biblical texts.

Covenant Theology and the Gospel

PressieChurch.org is committed to the teachings of covenant theology and in particular a vociferous commitment to the active obedience of Christ as our law keeper and our righteousness. This is the basis of our acceptance and assurance as the people of God and the centrepiece of the good news of Jesus Christ to a world dead in sin.

Covenant Theology and the Presbyterian Church

Consequently this site wants to encourage an examination of and a return to reformed theology as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith and to once again popularise its teaching in the Presbyterian Church of Australia.

 

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Reformed Theology is Covenant Theology

Reformed soteriology is really two Adam theology, two federal representatives, the first man Adam and the last man Jesus.

• "So it is written : the first man Adam became a living being the last Adam, a life giving spirit. The first man was from the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven." (1 Cor 15:45,47)

• "...sin entered the world through one man and death through sin and in this way death came to all men.." (Rom 5:12]

• "For if many die through the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift [righteousness] that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many." (Rom 5:15)

• Just as the result of the one trespass was condemnation for all men [in Adam], so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life to all men [in Christ] (Rom 5:18)

In this way these two men represent all people. A man is either in the first man Adam or the last man Jesus, the man of the earth or the man of heaven.

• The first Adam broke the covenant [of works] in Eden and brought sin, death and judgment upon us all (Hos 6:7; Rom 5:12f).

• The second Adam kept the covenant [of works] with perfect obedience and then gave up his righteous life as a propitiation for sin and through him brought righteousness and life to all who who trust in him. [Rom 3:25; Rom 5:12ff]

Covenant Theology

 

"What is covenant theology? The straightforward, if provocative answer to that question is that it is what is nowadays called a hermeneutic - that is, a way of reading the whole Bible that is itself part of the overall interpretation of the Bible that it under girds. A successful hermeneutic is a consistent interpretation procedure yielding a consistent understanding of Scripture that in turn confirms the proprietary of the procedure itself. Covenant theology is a case in point. It is a hermeneutic that forces itself upon every thoughtful Bible reader..."

James Packer, Introduction to covenant theology in Witsius' "The economy of the covenants between man and God"

 

"Acquaintance with this covenant is of the greatest importance, for whoever errs here or denies the existence of the covenant of works, will not understand the covenant of grace, and will readily err concerning the mediatorship of the Lord Jesus. Such a person will very readily deny that Christ by His active obedience has merited a right to eternal life for the elect."

Wilhelmus б Brakel, 'The Christian’s Reasonable Service' Vol 1, pg 355.

 

“The doctrine of the 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 master of divinity. I am persuaded that most of the mistakes which men make concerning the doctrines of Scripture, are based upon fundamental errors with regard to the covenant of law and of grace. May God grant us now the power to instruct, and you the grace to receive instruction on this vital subject.” He also said If anyone should ask me what I mean by a Calvinist, "I should reply, 'He is one who says, Salvation is of the Lord.'"

Charles Spurgeon, addressing the Pastors College Conference in 1891 a few years before his death.

 

At Caringbah Presbyterian church we have Recommended 40 Books for God's people and leaders

Books marked with an * are reading specifically for leadership.

Knowing God - J Packer The Holy Spirit - J Owen Chosen By God - RC Sproul Potters Freedom - R White Saved by Grace - A Hoekema Sovereignty of God - A W Pink* On the Freedom of the Will - J Edwards* Reformed Doctrine of Predestination - L Boettner* Justification by Faith Alone - C Hodge Justification by Faith Alone -  J Edwards* Redemption Accomplished and Applied - J Murray Death of Death in the Death of Christ - J Owen* The Everlasting Righteousness - H Bonar* The Bruised Reed - R Sibbes The Enemy Within – K Lungaard Mortification of  Sin – J Edwards* The Bible and the Future - A Hoekma A Case for Amillennialism - K Riddlebarger* Economy of Covenants- H Witsuis* Christ of the Covenants – O Palmer Robertson*

Israel of God – O Palmer Robertson Pilgrims Progress – J Bunyan Gospel and the Kingdom – G Goldsworthy Truth For All time - J Calvin Biblical Theology - G Vos* Systematic Theology – W Grudem* New Systematic Theology – R Reymond* Depression: A Stubborn Darkness – E Welch Addiction: A Banquet in the Grave – E Welch Baptism Mode and Meaning – J Adams Shepherding a Childs Heart – T Tripp Darwin on Trial - P Johnstone Decision Making and Will of God - G Frieson Today's Gospel: Authentic or Synthetic – W Chantry Tell the Truth - W Metzger Biblical Preaching - H Robbinson* Lectures to my Students – C Spurgeon* Preachers and Preaching – M Lloyd-Jones* The Imperative of preaching – J Carrick* Preaching with Freshness – B Mawhinney*