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Covenant Theology (Dispensation of the Covenants)
Meaning
Covenant Theology refers to trying to interpret the entire Bible in relation to the covenants of God. It’s often referred to as the “Dispensation of the Covenants” and it primarily looks at three different covenants. This mode of thinking looks at Genesis chapter two as outlining a covenant of works which is later replaced by the covenant of grace introduced in Genesis chapter three. Moreover, that both of these covenants work against the backdrop of the covenant of redemption. The covenant of redemption reflects the eternal and timeless plan of redemption within the three members of the Godhead. However the one problem with this theology is it does not take into consideration the entirety of the Bible as one seamless whole.
The Bible from Old Testament to New Testament tell one seamless story of God’s plan of redemption for all mankind. From start to finish the Bible reveals the grace of God and His plan of redemption through Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore the Bible from front to back speaks of Jesus. Therefore the dangers of this type of thinking are two fold. First, it can lead to disregarding the Old Testament because it is thought to have been replaced by the New Testament. And second, it can lead to the incorrect doctrine of “Replacement Theology.” Replacement Theology is the heresy that the Church has replaced Israel. And this we know from scripture is incorrect. As a matter of fact the Apostle Paul himself tells us that we who are followers of Christ, through faith have been grafted into the faithful remnant of Israel. And if grafted in, then we cannot be a replacement.
“I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew.” (Book of Romans 11:1-2)
“Just as it is written: ‘God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day.’ And David says: ‘Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them. Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and bow down their back always.’ I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness.” (Book of Romans 11:8-12)
“For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.” (Book of Romans 11:16-18)