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We have noticed that covenant theology is a topic coming up more frequently in recent times. The same sorts of people who advocate for Calvinism are also on-board for this brand of theology. We critiqued one explanation here, and another here and found both to be lacking.
We should note that we have not sought out explanations of covenant theology or made any deep dives into it. We simply comment when given an opportunity. So we really don't have an axe to grind.
Today's article recites standard Christian doctrine, but claims it as covenant theology. It appears, therefore, that covenant theology simply rebrands biblical concepts with new titles and then represents itself as unique.
One of the links the author provides leads us to an article that mentions an alternative understanding, dispensationalism. We don't know why we should prefer one over the other, or if there are more alternatives than these two. On the whole, the issue seems like an intellectual exercise with no practical benefit. Covenant theology doesn't change any obligation or privilege we have as Christians, and as such is of little benefit.
Lastly, in her title the author proports to offer us "a beginners guide" to teach covenant theology to kids. As such we would expect to find a basic explanation of the origin of, and reasons specific to covenant theology, how it better explains Scripture, and what particular benefit there is in knowing it.
She does none of this. We must consider this Bad Bible Teaching.
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When we send our kids to Sunday school or VBS, what are we hoping they will receive? How can we help them connect seemingly obscure Bible characters to the big picture? What exactly are the essential truths that have radically transformed the lives of Christians? (The author implies that covenant theology is one of those essential truths.)
Ligonier Ministries’ new children’s curriculum, Growing in God’s Word, unpacks the basics of the Bible in a yearlong study, uniquely written from the covenantal framework of Scripture that gives us the big picture of God’s plan of salvation and dealings with humanity. We don’t need to wait until our kids are older to share the foundational truths of the Bible or to introduce them to theology. This resource seeks to make the key elements of covenant theology accessible with developmentally appropriate activities and questions. (So covenant theology is a foundational truth, and kids really need to learn about it.)
Churches, parents, and teachers are solemnly called to follow Jesus’ command: “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14). Here are just a few themes we can begin with as we seek to consistently and faithfully make the Bible accessible to our children in their early learning.
1. Creator
When we introduce children to covenant theology, we can simply begin with the beginning. God is the creator. God spoke creation out of nothing. He is revealed in His creation, but it is only in His Word that we can understand the significance of life, death, sin, and the person of Christ. (So far, covenant theology is indistinguishable from general Christian doctrine.)
2. Christ
All of Scripture points to Christ. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is full of diverse stories, and together they weave the tapestry of the greatest story ever told—God’s grace to His creation as ultimately revealed in the work of Christ. Covenant theology connects the Old and New Testaments to reveal the holy God in both His law and the once-for-all work of Christ (Gal. 3:24–29). (Again we must say that covenant theology remains indistinguishable from general Christian theology. Nothing the author has written to this point illustrates any particular distinctive of covenant theology.)
3. Church
The covenant of grace is for a community of believers from every tribe, nation, and tongue. There are no lone rangers and there are no favorites. To understand the church, we must understand covenant theology and the importance of a historic faith where corporate worship is the priority. The gospel unites a covenant people under one banner: Jesus is the only way (John 14:6). It was in the first Adam that humanity died in sin and in the last Adam that we are made righteous in faith (1 Cor. 15:45). This faith brings us out of the dominion of darkness and into the light where all who call on the name of Christ will never be separated or alone again. (How does covenant theology uniquely explain this? We are still unable to understand the distinction.)
While this is an immediate reality, we still live in a broken world until Christ returns or calls us home. Sunday worship is not simply about preferred weekend activities but is a bigger picture of what we were made for: to grow in the knowledge of our creator God and the Trinitarian rest in which He invites us to participate in Christ. (Sigh. Still waiting.)
4. Call
Covenant children—like all who hear the gospel proclaimed—are given a unique privilege and blessing, a repeated call to continue in the way of the Lord. When we teach our kids covenant theology, (If the author is unable to explain covenant theology to us, then how can she explain it to children?)
When we send our kids to Sunday school or VBS, what are we hoping they will receive? How can we help them connect seemingly obscure Bible characters to the big picture? What exactly are the essential truths that have radically transformed the lives of Christians? (The author implies that covenant theology is one of those essential truths.)
Ligonier Ministries’ new children’s curriculum, Growing in God’s Word, unpacks the basics of the Bible in a yearlong study, uniquely written from the covenantal framework of Scripture that gives us the big picture of God’s plan of salvation and dealings with humanity. We don’t need to wait until our kids are older to share the foundational truths of the Bible or to introduce them to theology. This resource seeks to make the key elements of covenant theology accessible with developmentally appropriate activities and questions. (So covenant theology is a foundational truth, and kids really need to learn about it.)
Churches, parents, and teachers are solemnly called to follow Jesus’ command: “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14). Here are just a few themes we can begin with as we seek to consistently and faithfully make the Bible accessible to our children in their early learning.
1. Creator
When we introduce children to covenant theology, we can simply begin with the beginning. God is the creator. God spoke creation out of nothing. He is revealed in His creation, but it is only in His Word that we can understand the significance of life, death, sin, and the person of Christ. (So far, covenant theology is indistinguishable from general Christian doctrine.)
Martin Luther said, “If I do not know the works and power of God, I know not God himself; and if I know not God, I cannot worship, praise, give thanks to, or serve him.”1
God made all things and sovereignly cares for His creation through covenant (see Rom. 5; 1 Cor. 15). (Ordinarily we would quote Bible references such as this, but Romans chapter 5 is 21 verses, and 1 Corinthians chapter 15 is 58 verses. We are not going to quote them, but we did reread them with the idea of covenant in mind. We are at loss to explain any place in these two references where covenant is even a minor theme.)
God made all things and sovereignly cares for His creation through covenant (see Rom. 5; 1 Cor. 15). (Ordinarily we would quote Bible references such as this, but Romans chapter 5 is 21 verses, and 1 Corinthians chapter 15 is 58 verses. We are not going to quote them, but we did reread them with the idea of covenant in mind. We are at loss to explain any place in these two references where covenant is even a minor theme.)
A covenant is a promise with blessings and commitments.2 (The footnote is to reference to J.V. Fesko's book, an excerpt we critiqued here. We were rather disappointed by his presentation.)
God’s covenants are not arbitrary or transactional; rather, they display the self-revelation of His holiness and His works in His creation. (An unenlightening statement.)
He acts consistently with His triune nature and not erratically from passions, convenience, or pragmatism. (An even less enlightening statement.)
The Bible reveals three foundational covenants: the covenant of redemption, the covenant of works, and the covenant of grace. (The reader may wish to chase these three links, which we did to absolutely no profit. The third link to J.V. Fesko's article we've already critiqued, as mentioned above.)
2. Christ
All of Scripture points to Christ. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is full of diverse stories, and together they weave the tapestry of the greatest story ever told—God’s grace to His creation as ultimately revealed in the work of Christ. Covenant theology connects the Old and New Testaments to reveal the holy God in both His law and the once-for-all work of Christ (Gal. 3:24–29). (Again we must say that covenant theology remains indistinguishable from general Christian theology. Nothing the author has written to this point illustrates any particular distinctive of covenant theology.)
Rather than forget the law, Christ has fulfilled the covenant of works by His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection from the grave, leading all who follow Him into the covenant of grace (Matt. 5:17). Let's quote:
Mt. 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.
The author's claim was about the covenant of works, but this verse refers to the fulfillment of the law and prophets.)
Truly man and truly God, Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between perfect God and broken humanity. It is by the Father’s sending His only begotten Son; the Son’s atoning life, death, and resurrection; and the power of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit that we receive all the benefits of the covenant of grace. Being united to Christ through faith, Christians can now call God “Father” and know the peace, assurance, and perfect rest found in this relational God. (All this standard Christian doctrine. We are still waiting for an explanation of the distinctive utility of covenant theology.)
Truly man and truly God, Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between perfect God and broken humanity. It is by the Father’s sending His only begotten Son; the Son’s atoning life, death, and resurrection; and the power of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit that we receive all the benefits of the covenant of grace. Being united to Christ through faith, Christians can now call God “Father” and know the peace, assurance, and perfect rest found in this relational God. (All this standard Christian doctrine. We are still waiting for an explanation of the distinctive utility of covenant theology.)
3. Church
The covenant of grace is for a community of believers from every tribe, nation, and tongue. There are no lone rangers and there are no favorites. To understand the church, we must understand covenant theology and the importance of a historic faith where corporate worship is the priority. The gospel unites a covenant people under one banner: Jesus is the only way (John 14:6). It was in the first Adam that humanity died in sin and in the last Adam that we are made righteous in faith (1 Cor. 15:45). This faith brings us out of the dominion of darkness and into the light where all who call on the name of Christ will never be separated or alone again. (How does covenant theology uniquely explain this? We are still unable to understand the distinction.)
While this is an immediate reality, we still live in a broken world until Christ returns or calls us home. Sunday worship is not simply about preferred weekend activities but is a bigger picture of what we were made for: to grow in the knowledge of our creator God and the Trinitarian rest in which He invites us to participate in Christ. (Sigh. Still waiting.)
4. Call
Covenant children—like all who hear the gospel proclaimed—are given a unique privilege and blessing, a repeated call to continue in the way of the Lord. When we teach our kids covenant theology, (If the author is unable to explain covenant theology to us, then how can she explain it to children?)
we provide a framework for life built on eternal truth. But if our instruction stops at memorization or behavior modification, we will not call them to abide in the Vine, the Lord Jesus Christ. We want to call our children to respond to Jesus in faith and to grow in the Vine through the means of grace. This call in the context of the local church is exactly what those diverse stories of the Bible are made of: the call of faith to believe the promises of God.
There is an urgency to this message that we can express to our children all the while patiently training and admonishing them to seek the Lord while He may be found (Isa. 55:6). When we teach our children covenant theology, we point them to the ultimate journey where they can be fully known, secure, and led by still waters for this life and the life to come.
1. Martin Luther, Bondage of the Will.
2. See J.V. Fesko’s new book and teaching series Signed, Sealed, Delivered: An Introduction to Covenant Theology for an adult-level survey of covenant theology.
There is an urgency to this message that we can express to our children all the while patiently training and admonishing them to seek the Lord while He may be found (Isa. 55:6). When we teach our children covenant theology, we point them to the ultimate journey where they can be fully known, secure, and led by still waters for this life and the life to come.
1. Martin Luther, Bondage of the Will.
2. See J.V. Fesko’s new book and teaching series Signed, Sealed, Delivered: An Introduction to Covenant Theology for an adult-level survey of covenant theology.
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