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How well does it compare with Scripture?
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Introduction In an article titled, "What is the Difference Between Covenant Theology and New Covenant Theology?", I believe Tony Warren summed up the difference well:
"The difference between Covenant Theology and New Covenant Theology basically boils down to the distinction that Covenant Theology believes in the continuity between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, and New Covenant Theology believes that the New Covenant law of Christ stands 'in contrast' to the Old Covenant law of Moses. There are many flavors of these Theologies, but generally speaking, this is the difference."
I agree. Covenant Theology recognizes the eternal, unchanging nature of God's moral law. But New Covenant Theology denies this. According to New Covenant Theology, God did not reveal His perfect moral law to Adam, Noah, or Moses. Even the 10 commandments were only temporary. Rather, God waited until the coming of Christ to reveal His perfect law. And I believe New Covenant Theology in error at this very point.
In addition, I believe New Covenant Theology is incorrect when it uses Jeremiah 31 and Hebrews 8 to argue that only regenerate people are members of the New Covenant, effectively denying the possibility of apostasy under the New Covenant.
Therefore, I have set up this webpage as a resource to aid others in the Biblical discussion between Covenant Theology and New Covenant Theology. Adherents to both CT and NCT are brothers in Christ, and we must enter into charitable Biblical discussions with each other. As you come across valuable articles that are helpful in the CT/NCT discussion, feel free to email me to let me know.
New Covenant Law - Has the Old Testament moral Law Passed Away? Here is an article refuting John Reisinger's "But I Say Unto You" NCT arguments:
But I say unto you, Jesus was not a New Covenant Theologian! - by Joseph M. Gleason The NCT movement suggests that Jesus is a new and better lawgiver than Moses, and that He established this position with His "but I say unto you" statements in the Sermon on the Mount. According to NCT, Jesus extended, changed, and abrogated various elements of Old Testament Law. In 1997, John Reisinger wrote "But I Say Unto You" to support these claims of NCT. The paper above is a critique of these NCT claims.
My friend, Richard Barcellos, has written some excellent Scriptural & historical critiques of NCT, and has been kind enough to allow republication of some articles here:
Book Review of New Covenant Theology (Wells & Zaspel) John Owen and New Covenant Theology - Owen on the Old and New Covenants and the Functions of the Decalogue in Redemptive History in Historical and Contemporary Perspective First Timothy 1:8-11 and the Utility of the Decalogue - an examination of 1 Tim. 1:8-11, with the goal of determining if Paul’s list of sinners found there reflects both the content and order of the first nine commandments of the Decalogue
Here is a collection of articles by Greg Welty which critique NCT:
Eschatological Fulfilment and the Confirmation of Mosaic Law - (A Response to D. A. Carson and Fred Zaspel on Matthew 5:17-48) A Response to Mike Adams's "In Defense of the New Covenant" - (Greg offers a comprehensive, critical evaluation of Mike Adams's "In Defense of the New Covenant," which was a reply to Richard Barcellos's In Defense of the Decalogue.) A Response to Steve Lehrer's "Israel: An Unbelieving People" - (Greg's brief response to a characteristic NCT argument that Israel should be viewed primarily as a nation of unbelievers.) A Response to Steve Lehrer's "The Active Obedience of Christ in NCT (Part II)" - (Greg's brief response to Steve's Lehrer's argument that Ga 3:13 only applies to Jews, not to Jews and Gentiles, and that therefore Gentiles are not under the curse of the Mosaic law.)
Here are some additional articles which are helpful in their critique of the abrogation of Law in New Covenant Theology:
Antinomianism - part 1 - an article by Pastor Richard Brooks, introducing some of the problems with New Covenant Theology Antinomianism - part 2 - an article by Pastor Richard Brooks, dicussing the perpetuity of the Ten Commandments Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience - an article by Pastor Brian Schwertley, which includes multiple explicit statements pointing out the incompatibility of NCT with the Pauline epistles Freedom from the Law in Christ - an article by Gabriel Martini . . . "When reading through the New Testament, one will find several times a reference to our 'freedom in Christ,' and how we are not 'under the law' any longer but 'under grace,' as true believers. But what exactly do these phrases mean? Do they line up with Scripture, at least in how many evangelicals today understand them? . . ."
New Covenant Membership - Are there unregenerate members of the New Covenant? I disagree with NCT's assertion that only regenerate people are members of the New Covenant. As with every other covenant God has made with man, the New Covenant contains unregenerate members. Here are some good resources that highlight this important point:
New Covenant Theologians are in Error, from the Least to the Greatest - (Jeremiah 31) - by Joseph M. Gleason
Breaking the New Covenant - by Kent Muhling
Dr. Richard Pratt's article on Jeremiah 31 - (PDF file)
Want to read some excellent books on Covenant Theology? --- For a great easy-to-understand introduction, I recommend A Simple Overview of Covenant Theology by C. Matthew McMahon.
--- For a terrific, detailed, exegetical look at Covenant Theology, I highly recommend The Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man by Herman Witsius.
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