A Comparison of 5 Views on Theology (part 6)

The following series is meant for fun only. As the different views are explained, they will be caricatures only. As I express my view (very po-mo of me), it is a way for me to interact with all the different views out there. I invite your feedback on either my views or the traditional views.

My view will be identified as the Theology of Hope

Is There a Covenant of Works?
Covenant Theology:
God made a conditional Covenant of Works with Adam as representative for all his posterity. A Promise of life was offered on a probationary status. If Adam had kept the covenant he would have merited eternal life. Adam broke the Covenant of Works and merited eternal death for his posterity.


Historic Dispensationalism:
Most believe there was no Covenant of Works with Adam in the Garden of Eden.

Progressive Dispensationalism:
Same as HD

New Covenant Theology:
Many disagree over what God did establish with man AND if any of what He established is still abiding (i.e. Covenant of Works, etc.). NCT advocates do agree with CT on Adam as a representative for all his posterity. All believe that Adam’s sin was imputed to his posterity. All deny any type of probation or a reward for obedience.

The Theology of Hope:
Same as NCT and would add that a promise of life for obedience is not necessary because they already possessed life. Calling this relationship a Covenant of Works tends to remove grace from the picture. The Scriptures never tell us that Adam was called to earn salvation.

A Comparison of 5 Views on Theology (part 5)

The following series is meant for fun only. As the different views are explained, they will be caricatures only. As I express my view (very po-mo of me), it is a way for me to interact with all the different views out there. I invite your feedback on either my views or the traditional views.

My view will be identified as the Theology of Hope

Is There a Covenant of Redemption?
Covenant Theology:
Yes. The eternal Covenant of Redemption was within the Trinity to effect the election of God’s covenant people.

Historic Dispensationalism:
The general consensus is that there was no eternal Covenant of Redemption within the Trinity, to effect election. Some of the old Dispensationalists did believe in a Covenant of Redemption.

Progressive Dispensationalism:
PD is divided over this subject. Some agree with CT; some agree with HD

New Covenant Theology:
NCT is also divided over this subject. Many NCT enthusiasts prefer Biblical language in reference to any action of God “before time” – the Scripture designates God’s intentions before time as an “eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Clearly, before history, God “purposed” to glorify His Son in history

The Theology of Hope:
Would agree with NCT and would add that this eternal purpose is a declaration of the will and purpose of the Triune God toward His chosen people, mediated to us in the Son, attested to in the Holy Scriptures, worked in us by a supernatural moving of the Holy Spirit. This was sealed in the blood of Christ (cf. Acts 20:28) and guaranteed by His resurrection.

A Comparison of 5 Views on Theology (part 4)

The following series is meant for fun only. As the different views are explained, they will be caricatures only. As I express my view (very po-mo of me), it is a way for me to interact with all the different views out there. I invite your feedback on either my views or the traditional views.

My view will be identified as the Theology of Hope

View of God’s Redemptive Work
Covenant Theology:
The covenants revealed in Scripture are different administrations of the Covenant of Grace – they are not separate. All of which were derived from the eternal covenant that the Trinity made in eternity.

1) Covenant of Works (creation) with Adam
2) Covenant of Grace with Christ on behalf of the elect (excluding the covenant of works)
3) Covenant of Redemption (some distinguish between Covenant of Redemption with Christ and Covenant of Grace with the elect)

Historic Dispensationalism:
There are Seven Dispensations which mark off periods of time during which God’s specific demands of man differ.
1) Innocence (pre-Fall)
2) Conscience (Adam)
3) Human Government (Noah)
4) Promise (Abraham)
5) Law (Moses)
6) Grace (Christ’s First Coming)
7) Kingdom (Christ’s Second Coming)

Progressive Dispensationalism:
For PD there are Four Dispensations:

1) Patriarchal (Adam to Mt. Sinai)
2) Mosaic (Mt. Sinai to ascension of Messiah)
3) Ecclesial (Church – Ascension to Second Coming of Christ
4) Zionic (Subdivided into 2 phases – Part 1: Millennium, Part: 2 Eternal State.)

New Covenant Theology:
NCT is divided over this subject.
God’s plan of salvation is revealed and administered through the unfolding of biblical covenants in the flow of redemptive history, not through the theologically deduced system of CT’s Redemption schema. All believe that the Mosaic Covenant was with the nation of Israel alone. The New Covenant is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan and fulfills all preceding Covenants.

The Theology of Hope:
Same as NCT but also agrees with CT that the eternal covenant or purpose is the foundation for God’s redemptive plan.

A Comparison of 5 Views on Theology (part 3)

The following series is meant for fun only. As the different views are explained, they will be caricatures only. As I express my view (very po-mo of me), it is a way for me to interact with all the different views out there. I invite your feedback on either my views or the traditional views.

My view will be identified as the Theology of Hope

God’s Purpose in History
Covenant Theology:
God’s main purpose is His own glory and Christ is the glory of God and we (the elect of God – from both the OT and NT) are in Christ.

Historic Dispensationalism:
God’s main purpose in history is national, physical Israel. God has two separate peoples, Israel and the church – with two separate plans for two distinct peoples.

Progressive Dispensationalism:
Same as CT

New Covenant Theology:
Same as CT

The Theology of Hope:
Would agree with CT and would add that God’s goal (or eternal purpose; aka misseo Dei) for creation is a renewed heaven and earth, on which all those for whom Christ died will dwell. Here they will enjoy the presence of the Triune God for all eternity.

A Comparison of 5 Views on Theology (part 2)

The following series is meant for fun only. As the different views are explained, they will be caricatures only. As I express my view (very po-mo of me), it is a way for me to interact with all the different views out there. I invite your feedback on either my views or the traditional views.

My view will be identified as the Theology of Hope

View of History
Covenant Theology:
Optimistic: God is extending His kingdom.

Historic Dispensationalism:
Pessimistic: the Last Days are marked by increasingly worse wickedness in the world and by apostasy in the church.

Progressive Dispensationalism:
Similar to CT

New Covenant Theology:
NCT is divided over this subject. Most agree with CT.

The Theology of Hope:
Same as CT

A Comparison of 5 Views on Theology (part 1)

The following series is meant for fun only. As the different views are explained, they will be caricatures only. The expression of my view (very po-mo of me) is a way for me to interact with all the different views out there.

We will discuss different topics and their correlation to one another. I invite your feedback on either my views or the traditional views.

My view will be identified as the Theology of Hope

Pattern of History
Covenant Theology:

God’s program in history is mainly through related covenants:
1. The Covenant of Redemption involves the Trinity, and does not directly include human beings.
2. The Covenant of Works, instituted in the Garden of Eden, was the promise that perfect obedience would be rewarded with eternal life. This is the pre-fall relationship, God had with man.
3. The Covenant of Grace structures God’s post-fall relationship to mankind.

Historic Dispensationalism:

God’s program (purpose) in history is mainly through separate dispensations (stages or economies) – usually seven:
1) Innocence (before the Fall); Genesis 1-3
2) Conscience (Adam to Noah); Genesis 6-8
3) Human Government (Noah to Abraham); Genesis 11
4) Promise (Abraham to Moses); Gen 12 – Exodus 20
5) Law (Moses to Christ – His First Coming); Exodus 20 – Acts 1, Pentecost
6) Grace (Pentecost to the rapture); Acts 1ff
7) The Millennium or Kingdom (Christ’s Second Coming to the end of the 1,000 yrs.).

Progressive Dispensationalism:

God’s program is history is the progressive relationship of the successive dispensations to one another:
1. Patriarchal (Adam to Mt. Sinai)
2. Mosaic (Mt. Sinai to ascension of Messiah)
3. Ecclesial (Church – Ascension to Second Coming of Christ)
4. Zionic (Subdivided into 2 phases – Part 1: Millennium, Part: 2 Eternal State.)

New Covenant Theology:

God’s program in history is through related covenants, but culminating in the new covenant that fulfills the others because they were all realized in Christ.

The Theology of Hope:
Agrees with NCT; would add that redemption “holistically” is revealed in the following (not linear) :
1. Promise (Gen. 3:15; 17:1-8; II Sam. 7:4-17; Gal.3:16)

2. Law / Administration (Exodus 19:1-9a; cf. Gal. 3:17, 23, 25)

3. Fulfillment – consisting of both Inauguration and Consummation (Gal. 3:23, 25)