Covenantal Theology Sees Discontinuity Among The Testament

Covenantal Theology and the Discontinuity Between the Old and New Testaments

Covenantal theology, a dominant theological framework within Reformed and Presbyterian traditions, emphasizes God's covenant relationship with humanity as the central organizing principle of biblical history. While emphasizing God's faithfulness and the continuity of his plan, covenantal theology also acknowledges significant discontinuities between the Old and New Testaments. Understanding these discontinuities is crucial for a robust and nuanced understanding of biblical revelation. This article will explore the key areas where covenantal theologians perceive a break, while highlighting the underlying unity maintained within the overarching covenant structure.

The Nature of Covenantal Discontinuity

The perceived discontinuity isn't a rejection of the Old Testament but rather a recognition of its fulfillment and transformation within the New Covenant. It’s not about discarding the Old Testament but understanding its purpose within the larger narrative of God's redemptive plan. This discontinuity manifests in several key areas:

1. The Mosaic Covenant: A Pedagogical Stage?

Many covenantal theologians view the Mosaic Covenant, specifically its legal and ceremonial aspects, as a pedagogical stage in God's redemptive plan. This doesn't diminish its importance; instead, it highlights its temporary nature and its function as a preparation for the superior covenant established in Christ. The Mosaic Law, with its extensive regulations governing ritual purity, sacrificial offerings, and social life, pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the inauguration of a new spiritual order. The temporary nature of the Law is evident in its fulfillment in Christ, as Hebrews 8-10 clearly illustrates. The Law's inability to truly cleanse the conscience and its reliance on animal sacrifices underscored its inadequacy to fully atone for sin, highlighting the need for a superior, enduring covenant.

The key here is not that the Mosaic Law was flawed or evil, but that it served a specific purpose within God's overall plan. It served as a tutor (Galatians 3:24), guiding God's people towards the ultimate reality of the covenant in Christ. Understanding this pedagogical role helps us avoid the pitfalls of legalism while appreciating the historical and theological significance of the Old Testament Law.

2. The Change in the Mediator

A significant discontinuity lies in the change of mediator. In the Old Covenant, Moses acted as the mediator between God and Israel. While God directly revealed Himself to Moses, the communication was mediated through a human instrument. The New Covenant, however, introduces a far more profound mediator—Jesus Christ, the God-man. This signifies a dramatic shift in the relationship between God and humanity. The incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ provide a direct, unmediated access to God that was unavailable under the Old Covenant. This personal, intimate relationship with God through Christ is a hallmark of the New Covenant.

This difference goes beyond simply changing the person of the mediator; it represents a fundamental shift in the nature of the relationship. The Old Covenant, while established by God's grace, had elements of conditional obedience. The New Covenant, however, is founded on the unconditional grace and atoning sacrifice of Christ, a grace freely given and received through faith.

3. The Nature of the Covenant's Promise

While both covenants promise blessing and life, the nature of the promise significantly differs. The Old Covenant promised blessings contingent upon obedience to the Law. Though God's promise of blessing was freely given, the reception of those blessings was tied to obedience. The New Covenant, conversely, promises blessings based solely on the unconditional grace and atoning work of Christ. These blessings are freely given to those who believe, regardless of their perfect obedience to the law. The covenant is sealed by the blood of Christ, offering forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit, resulting in a transformed heart and life.

This distinction emphasizes the difference between works-based righteousness and grace-based righteousness. While the Old Covenant contained promises of blessing, the emphasis fell heavily on obedience as the condition for receiving those blessings. The New Covenant, however, emphasizes that God's grace is sufficient, and believers receive blessings as a gift of God’s unmerited favor through faith in Christ.

4. The Permanence of the New Covenant

A crucial element of discontinuity is the permanence of the New Covenant. The Old Covenant, while divinely instituted, was explicitly temporary. It was structured to point towards a future reality. The New Covenant, however, is described as an everlasting covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:6-13), signifying its enduring nature and ultimate fulfillment. The establishment of the New Covenant marks a definitive shift from a temporary arrangement to a permanent relationship between God and His people.

This permanence underscores the finality of Christ’s work and the absolute security of salvation for those who trust in Him. It provides a sense of stability and confidence that the Old Covenant, with its conditional elements and temporary nature, couldn't fully offer.

5. The People of the Covenant

While the Old Covenant centered primarily on the nation of Israel, the New Covenant extends to all nations (Galatians 3:28-29). This universality is a key aspect of the discontinuity, representing a widening of God's redemptive plan to encompass all humanity. While Israel held a unique role in God's plan, the New Covenant demonstrates God’s broader desire for reconciliation with all people. This global reach of the New Covenant represents a significant departure from the more geographically limited scope of the Old Covenant.

This inclusion underscores the universal nature of God's love and the availability of salvation to all who believe, regardless of ethnicity or background. This expansion transcends ethnic and national boundaries, solidifying the New Covenant’s inclusivity.

The Continuity Within the Discontinuity

Despite these significant discontinuities, covenantal theology emphasizes a crucial element of continuity: the unwavering faithfulness of God throughout both covenants. God's promises, though expressed differently in the Old and New Testaments, remain fundamentally the same. The central promise of God's relationship with his people, a promise of redemption and blessing, endures throughout both covenants.

The continuity is found in:

• God's unchanging character: God’s attributes of faithfulness, love, mercy, and justice remain consistent throughout both covenants.
• The consistent theme of redemption: Both covenants focus on God's initiative to redeem humanity from sin and restore fellowship with Himself.
• The promise of a new creation: Both covenants anticipate a future restoration of all things, a new heaven and a new earth. The Old Testament foreshadows this through prophetic imagery, while the New Testament affirms it as the ultimate goal of God's plan.
• The role of faith: Faith is essential in both covenants. In the Old Covenant, it involved trusting in God's promises and obeying His commands. In the New Covenant, it involves trusting in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice.

Understanding the Discontinuity: Avoiding Misinterpretations

Recognizing both the discontinuity and the continuity is essential for a balanced understanding of biblical revelation. Failure to acknowledge either aspect leads to misinterpretations:

• Ignoring the discontinuity can lead to legalism, emphasizing the Old Testament Law as binding for Christians and overlooking the fulfillment of the Law in Christ.
• Ignoring the continuity can lead to a disjointed understanding of God's plan, failing to recognize the consistent theme of redemption throughout scripture.

Conclusion: A Unified Narrative

Covenantal theology presents a compelling framework for understanding the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. While acknowledging significant discontinuities, this approach emphasizes the underlying unity of God's redemptive plan. The Old Covenant serves as a preparation for the New, with the latter fulfilling and transforming the promises and institutions of the former. By understanding both the discontinuities and continuities within the covenantal framework, we gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and coherence of God's word and its message of salvation. The apparent breaks in the narrative are not ruptures, but rather pivotal transitions leading toward the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise in Jesus Christ. This nuanced understanding fosters a richer appreciation for both Testaments and their interconnected roles in revealing God's glorious plan for humanity. The apparent differences ultimately serve to highlight the profound and transformative nature of God's grace offered freely through the New Covenant.