Renewing Your Mind The Covenant of Works
Mar 11, 2025
J.V. Fesko, the Harriet Barbour Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology and an Orthodox Presbyterian minister, dives into the profound implications of the Covenant of Works. He discusses how Adam's disobedience in the Garden of Eden sets the stage for humanity's desperate need for salvation. Fesko highlights the importance of obedience and disobedience, drawing connections between biblical covenants and their significance for modern believers. This engaging conversation encourages deeper understanding of covenant theology and its relevance to Christ's redemptive work.
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Implied Covenant
- The word "covenant" doesn't appear in Genesis 1-3, where the Covenant of Works is found.
- J.V. Fesko suggests identifying a covenant's elements even without the explicit term, like overhearing wedding plans without hearing "wedding".
Covenant of Works Defined
- The Covenant of Works is the first covenant between God and Adam, promising eternal life for perfect obedience.
- Early theological writings, like the Wisdom of Ben Sirach and Augustine's interpretations, support this idea.
Scriptural Evidence in Genesis
- Scriptural evidence for the Covenant of Works exists in Genesis 1-3, including commands, blessings, curses, and covenantal language.
- These elements, like the command "you shall not eat," mirror those in the Mosaic Covenant, suggesting a covenantal framework.