3.35 James White, David Schrock, Steven Wellum • Interview • "The Newness of the New Covenant"
Jul 26, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, James White, a respected theologian known for his deep insights into biblical interpretation, teams up with David Schrock and Stephen Wellum. They explore the new covenant in Hebrews, dissecting its transformative nature and implications for believers. The trio tackles the baptism debate, contrasts covenant theologies, and examines how the Old Testament saints relate to the new covenant. Their conversation reveals the theological tensions within reform theology and the significance of Christ's interceding work.
The podcast emphasizes the need to critically examine the assumption of inherent regeneration in covenant children by Paedobaptists to accurately define covenant membership.
Participants highlight the New Covenant's significant discontinuity from previous covenants, redefining covenant community as one of regenerate believers with Christ as the superior mediator.
The discussion addresses the distinction between Old Testament saints and New Covenant believers, clarifying that Old Testament faith looked forward to Christ's redemptive work.
Deep dives
The Assumptions of Paedobaptism
The discussion highlights the potential dangers in the assumption by Paedobaptists that children of believers are inherently regenerate until proven otherwise. This perspective risks misidentifying the true nature of covenantal membership and may lead to confusion regarding who constitutes the covenant people. The participants argue that treating covenant children as regenerate can undermine the biblical understanding of regeneration as a conscious faith response to God. It is emphasized that such assumptions should be critically examined to maintain a clear definition of covenant membership.
The New Covenant's Newness
The conversation explores the unique aspects of the New Covenant as articulated in the book of Hebrews, particularly its foundation in Christ's role as a superior mediator. The authors argue that the New Covenant presents significant discontinuity with previous covenants, providing better promises and a new understanding of God's relationship with His people. They emphasize that the New Covenant radically redefines who is included in the covenant community, moving away from simply a mixed community to one comprised of regenerate believers. This distinction is crucial in understanding the implications of baptism and ecclesiology in the context of Reformed theology.
The Role of Covenant Theology
Covenant theology plays a critical role in shaping the arguments surrounding baptism and the nature of the church in the podcast discussion. The participants assert that viewing the covenants in light of their progressive revelation helps clarify the distinction between the Old and New Covenants. They emphasize the need for a robust understanding of the nature of the new covenant community, which necessitates regeneration as opposed to mere inclusion based on lineage or baptism. The issues surrounding covenant theology are intricately tied to broader doctrinal concerns such as definite atonement and the implications for church membership.
Old Testament Saints and the New Covenant
The discussion addresses the relationship between Old Testament saints and the New Covenant, emphasizing that while they were justified by grace through faith, they were not technically part of the New Covenant until its inauguration through Christ. This view asserts that the Old Testament believers had hope in the promised Redeemer, but their experience and understanding of the covenant differed from that of New Covenant believers. The podcast clarifies that historical context and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan in Christ are essential for understanding this relationship. It is argued that maintaining this distinction is vital for a coherent theological framework.
Challenges of Definite Atonement
The podcast raises significant questions regarding the implications of definite atonement in relation to covenant theology and the understanding of baptism. The participants discuss how varying views within Reformed circles can lead to inconsistency in applying the doctrine of definite atonement, particularly concerning who Christ died for and how that aligns with the nature of the New Covenant. They caution against separating Christ's intercessory work from His atoning sacrifice, arguing that such a division undermines the fullness of His redemptive work. This leads to broader implications for ecclesiology, especially concerning membership and the nature of the church.
