Kingdom through Covenant (4)

Well, I have got to the beginning of the last two major sections, the systematic sections after the biblical theological procession through the biblical covenants. I am looking forward to them.

The sections on the new covenant were helpful but not earth-shattering. Over against covenant theology, Gentry insists that the new covenant is made only with believers and that the key new element about it is that it cannot be broken (contra what many Presbyterians believe about the new covenant). I agree with what is 'Baptist' about his analysis, I disagree with what is 'new covenant'; for he insists that, as the new covenant is a 'new' covenant and not confirming an old covenant, therefore the law code of the old covenant is gone. However the righteousness of God remains the same and will be reflected in the law of the new covenant. There is however no discussion of what law is written on the heart of the believer; nor why, if the laws against adultery, murder and stealing are still valid (as Gentry says they are), the Sabbath is no longer to be kept. Not a mention of that. So the new law code is obviously very selective. All rather unsatisfactory. Maybe they will pick it up later...

There is a useful chapter on the 'Seventy Weeks' of Daniel 9:24f, and a rather mediocre chapter on life in the New Covenant community, based on Ephesians 4:20-6:20.

There is a helpful analysis, however, of the identification of the new Zion/Jerusalem with the church and the new creation in Isaiah, leaving no place for fulfilments of promises to national Israel.

So far I am more impressed with the arguments against Dispensationalism than with anything rallied against the Reformed 'Westminster' position on the law. But then, Dispensationalism is a much easier target.