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A STUDY IN COVENANT THEOLOGY

AN EXPOSITION OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS

-UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEX DEFINITION WHEN IDENTIFYING GOD’S PEOPLES- 

-VISIBLE ISRAEL, THE VISIBLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, AND THE INVISIBLE ISRAEL OF GOD-

-THEN FINALLY UNDERSTANDING PRECISELY WHO THE PEOPLES OF GOD ARE-

THE THESIS STATEMENT

THE THESIS STATEMENT is presented as an overview to this entire work. After pointing out some obvious discrepancies that are very common to all three Abrahamic faiths, it is in fact a direct challenge to all those who are seeking to understand the Abrahamic Covenant and Covenant Theology.

THE ARGUMENT

THE ARGUMENT is presented in an effort to lay the foundation for understand the complexities that surround the Abrahamic Covenant and Covenant Theology, the relationship between the visible institutions of Israel and the Christian Church, and then how and why we must identify and distinguish between the visible characteristics and the invisible characteristics of God’s covenant peoples.

THE THEOLOGY OF ROMANS - OVERVIEW

THE THEOLOGY OF ROMANS OVERVIEW is presented as a brief thumbnail sketch of the Covenant Theology that one might glean from the book of Romans.

ROMANS (RASV-1901)

  ROMANS CHAPTERS 1 - 2

 Romans Chapters 1-2 presents the inclusive Gospel message that fully defines God’s universal reconciliation that is presently being fulfilled through the Abrahamic Covenant of Grace. We then receive our first formal introduction to the presence of God’s invisible dispositions (Israel, the Circumcision, and a Jew) that are only identifiable from our previous knowledge of His visible dispositions (Israel, the Circumcision, and a Jew). We must understand that all of these God established dispositions (Webster’s-Divine Dispensations) now have complex definitions.

  ROMANS CHAPTER 3

Romans Chapter 3 explains the ultimate hope that remains for God’s first peoples Israel. This section also includes some lengthy Covenant Theology history excerpts from the Systematic Theology’s of Charles Hodge and Louis Berkhof: With some additional excerpts from John Calvin. 

  ROMANS CHAPTER 4

The Abrahamic Covenant-God’s Covenant of Grace that is being distributed to the world through Israel and the Christian Church.

Chapters five, six, seven, and eight of Romans, give us more of the details about where we are in God’s reconciliation by explaining precisely how we got there. That it is only by God’s grace, grace, wonderful grace. Then we should especially notice the subtle definitions that are being given to the visible characteristics and the invisible characteristics of God’s dispositions.

  ROMANS CHAPTER 5

  ROMANS CHAPTER 6

  ROMANS CHAPTER 7  

  ROMANS CHAPTER 8

  ROMANS CHAPTER 9

The Apostle Paul now directly challenges some of the natural misconceptions that had arisen within the Christian Church concerning his countrymen, as he further defines God’s invisible dispositions by showing us the complex character of the term Israel. 

  ROMANS CHAPTER 10

We are reminded again in chapter ten that the intended universality of God’s reconciliation was clearly predicted very early on. All Nations were to be included in the Abrahamic Covenant.

  ROMANS CHAPTER 11

Romans chapter eleven brings us to the very heart of these covenant matters. Having observed the transition that was brought about by the establishment of the New Covenant order, we have now come to more clearly understand the universal character of God’s reconciliation. Yet, in the light of this covenantal transition, it remains absolutely essential that we determine, with the Apostle Paul, the precise covenant position and potential for both visible Israel and the visible Christian Church. We must also keep this important fact in mind, that there are many passages recorded in book of Romans that do speak specifically about the continued hope for God’s visible peoples of Israel: Ref. Rom.3:1-4; 4:1-; 9:1-5; 10:1-3; 11:1, 2, 11-15, 26  

  ROMANS CHAPTERS 12 - 16 - REVIEW

For grace to be fully effective, all must receive it in exactly the same way--as a free and unmerited gift from God! Israel was elected in this sense--to the specific task of being a visible example of the covenant relationship that the invisible Creator God desired to establish with His visible creation.