Our recent series of articles focussed on the conditionality of the mosaic covenant. In reality, we are only just starting to scratch the surface of the complexities that hinder a right understanding of this important aspect of Covenant Theology.
So far, we’ve made the claim that the mosaic covenant is conditional in nature, but much more needs to be said. I am sure that there are some, for example, wanting to know if we affirm a typological works principle in the mosaic covenant. Further details like these need to be addressed and given satisfactory attention.
To give an idea of what we still need to cover, Brenton C. Ferry has compiled a helpful list. In ‘The Law is not of Faith’, he has written an excellent chapter detailing the various aspects of complexity that need resolution.[1]
He says that any, “attempt to interact with the Reformed tradition regarding the problem of [the mosaic covenant]”[2], needs to be able to address the following:
The Problem of Antithesis
- The function of the substance-accidents distinction
- The civil-ceremonial-moral distinctions
- The law-gospel emphases
- The national principle of works
- The redemptive-historical perspective
- The principle of abstraction
- The softer contrast
- The principle of misinterpretation
The Principle of Republication
- Paul’s use of Leviticus 18:5
- The distinction between material and formal republication
- The formal principles of relativity, pedagogy, hypothetical, typological, and complex republication
The Organic Question
- The distinction between an administration and a distinct covenant; and among the latter, recognise further distinctions between works, grace, complex, national, subservient, and bastard covenants.
To continue sketching an outline of a Dispensational Federalism, we need to keep moving without getting bogged down in these details right now. So, this is unfinished business, but the intention is to return and respond sufficiently to everything just noted. As we have opportunity to do that, we anticipate the strength of The Thesis will become increasingly evident.
In the following article we will continue to focus on the bigger picture, and begin to describe our understanding of The Covenant of Grace. This will be Tenet No.4
[1] The Law is Not of Faith, edited by Bryan D. Estelle, J. V. Fesko, David Van Drunen, Chapter entitled ‘Works in the Mosaic Covenant, a Reformed Taxonomy’, p76-103.
[2] The Law is Not of Faith, p102-103. The list of issues given above are taken entirely from Brenton C. Ferry’s chapter entitled ‘Works in the Mosaic Covenant, A Reformed Taxonomy’.
Dispensational Federalism 