This week we discuss Kline’s article from the mid 1990s called Covenant Theology Under Attack. First, we talk about Kline’s critique of Daniel Fuller. Fuller rejected the idea that God ever related to people on the basis of a works principle. Fuller argued that human obedience could not add to God’s glory. Here, he appealed to Luke 17:10, like many Reformed theologians. Like the authors of Merit & Moses, Fuller also used a speculative, ontological analysis to argue that any reward God might have given Adam would have far exceeded the value of Adam’s obedience. Next, Kline focuses his critique on John Murray because Murray restricted the definition of covenant to involve only the principle of grace. Finally, Kline critiques Murray’s student and successor, Norman Shepherd because Shepherd followed Murray’s covenant theology to its logical conclusion, and Shepherd denied the imputation of the active obedience of Christ to believers.

Show Notes:

Give us a 5-star rating on iTunes! (Click “View in iTunes” and “Ratings and Reviews”)

Covenant Theology Under Attack (censored version)

Covenant Theology Under Attack (uncensored version)

Covenant Theology Under Attack (audio)

1 Corinthians 15

The Unity of the Bible by Daniel Fuller

Gospel and Law: Contrast or Continuum? by Daniel Fuller

Covenant Theology in Reformed Perspective by Mark Karlberg

Romans 5

Episode 24: Kline’s Definition of Grace

Redefining Merit by Lee Irons

098 - Covenant Theology Under Attack