"The Lenses of Reformation Concerning Covenant"
by Dr. Patti Amsden
God deals with humanity in terms of covenant. In the beginning, God determined to create mankind to bear his image and to be like him. This creation description places man is a special category and with a special assignment. All of the created order reflects aspects of or testifies about God at some level, but mankind does so in a unique fashion. Mankind was created to be sons or family members and, as such, represents the Father in certain communicable attributes, in management of the family assets, and in heavenly authority over earthly matters.
Reformation lens #1 – Covenant defines man’s status as an image-bearer.
Covenantal life contains relationship, but relational life does not necessarily encompass covenant. For the sake of this discussion, relationship is being defined as an emotional association, a kinship, or a common affinity. Two friends may share a relationship but are not necessarily bound together by a covenant or any official, legal bond. Two business associates may have created a legal contract or covenant that defines their interactions but may not necessarily interact through a relational bond. Husband and wife, as well as other members of a family, share relationship and covenant.
Reformation lens #2 – God created image bearers or family members to share relationship in the context of covenant life.
Covenant envelopes both identity and ethical faithfulness. In the covenant God offers man, God is the sovereign or the giver while man is the receiver and the co-laborer in the covenant. Because Sovereign God is both the Creator of man’s biological life and the initiator of man’s covenantal standing (sonship), man relational standing is derivative and subservient. God is Lord. Covenant relationship is available because God is causative. Man is grateful and worshipful. Man ascribes honor as he enjoys a loving relationship with his Father. God not only defines the roles, He also sets the terms. God will be faithful to live in and do what He has promised, and God requires man to be faithful to follow that example to live in and do what he has promised.
Reformation lens #3 – Mankind’s relational bond to God is one of love and worship; mankind’s covenantal bond with God includes obedience and faithfulness.
As reformers, we must understand that God has created mankind to faithfully represent God. We are called to do what God would do, say what God would say, love like God would love. Mankind is uniquely designed to represent the interests of God and His kingdom within the earth. We are representatives of the Lord. God gives His Word and He ever lives to perform it (Jer. 1:12). God is faithful to all His covenant promises (Heb. 6:16-18). When a man makes or a group of men make a covenant with God, he or they, respectively, must be faithful to fulfill the terms. The Pilgrims bound themselves to God and to one another to represent Christ and His Kingdom through acts of worship and obedience. Covenant life demands no less for every image bearer.
Reformation lens #1 – Covenant defines man’s status as an image-bearer.
Covenantal life contains relationship, but relational life does not necessarily encompass covenant. For the sake of this discussion, relationship is being defined as an emotional association, a kinship, or a common affinity. Two friends may share a relationship but are not necessarily bound together by a covenant or any official, legal bond. Two business associates may have created a legal contract or covenant that defines their interactions but may not necessarily interact through a relational bond. Husband and wife, as well as other members of a family, share relationship and covenant.
Reformation lens #2 – God created image bearers or family members to share relationship in the context of covenant life.
Covenant envelopes both identity and ethical faithfulness. In the covenant God offers man, God is the sovereign or the giver while man is the receiver and the co-laborer in the covenant. Because Sovereign God is both the Creator of man’s biological life and the initiator of man’s covenantal standing (sonship), man relational standing is derivative and subservient. God is Lord. Covenant relationship is available because God is causative. Man is grateful and worshipful. Man ascribes honor as he enjoys a loving relationship with his Father. God not only defines the roles, He also sets the terms. God will be faithful to live in and do what He has promised, and God requires man to be faithful to follow that example to live in and do what he has promised.
Reformation lens #3 – Mankind’s relational bond to God is one of love and worship; mankind’s covenantal bond with God includes obedience and faithfulness.
As reformers, we must understand that God has created mankind to faithfully represent God. We are called to do what God would do, say what God would say, love like God would love. Mankind is uniquely designed to represent the interests of God and His kingdom within the earth. We are representatives of the Lord. God gives His Word and He ever lives to perform it (Jer. 1:12). God is faithful to all His covenant promises (Heb. 6:16-18). When a man makes or a group of men make a covenant with God, he or they, respectively, must be faithful to fulfill the terms. The Pilgrims bound themselves to God and to one another to represent Christ and His Kingdom through acts of worship and obedience. Covenant life demands no less for every image bearer.