Understanding God's Covenants: History and Divine Promise

 

Summary

In our exploration of the biblical covenants, we delve into the profound structure of God's revelation throughout history. The concept of covenant is not merely an agreement but a divine promise that is deeply intertwined with the history of redemption. This history is not an abstract or mystical occurrence but is firmly rooted in real, tangible events. The debate in the mid-20th century, led by scholars like Rudolf Bultmann, attempted to separate salvation history from actual history, suggesting that the supernatural elements of the Bible were mythological. However, theologians like Oscar Cullman and Hermann Ridderbos argued that the Bible's narrative is indeed redemptive history, but it is also real history, filled with references to actual historical figures and events.

The New Testament documents, for instance, place the birth of Christ within the context of real historical events, emphasizing that God's work of redemption unfolds within the normal plane of history. The distinction between the Greek words "chronos" and "kairos" further illustrates this point. While "chronos" refers to the simple passage of time, "kairos" signifies historic moments that are pivotal and transformative, such as the coming of Christ in the "fullness of time."

The translation of the Hebrew word "berith" into Greek as "diatheke" in the Septuagint highlights the complexity of conveying the covenant concept. Unlike a testament, which can be altered by the testator, God's covenant promises are irrevocable and eternal. The choice of "diatheke" over "synertheke" underscores the nature of God's covenants as sovereign and unilateral, not agreements between equals.

As we continue to examine the covenants of Scripture, it is crucial to understand these distinctions and their implications for our understanding of divine revelation. The transition from the Old to the New Covenant, marked by Christ's work, signifies a new era in redemptive history, yet it remains deeply connected to the historical narrative of the Bible.

Key Takeaways:

1. The biblical covenants are not abstract agreements but divine promises deeply rooted in real history. This understanding challenges the notion that salvation history is separate from actual historical events, emphasizing that God's redemptive work unfolds within the tangible context of human history. [03:58]

2. The distinction between "chronos" and "kairos" in the New Testament highlights the significance of historic moments in God's plan. While "chronos" refers to the passage of time, "kairos" signifies pivotal events that transform history, such as the coming of Christ in the "fullness of time." [07:02]

3. The translation of "berith" as "diatheke" in the Septuagint reflects the complexity of conveying the covenant concept. Unlike a testament, God's covenants are irrevocable and eternal, underscoring His sovereignty and the divine promise inherent in these agreements. [15:05]

4. The transition from the Old to the New Covenant marks a new era in redemptive history, initiated by Christ's work. This shift is not merely a change in testament but a profound transformation in the relationship between God and His people, rooted in historical events. [21:12]

5. Understanding the biblical covenants requires recognizing the distinction between the Covenant of Creation and the Covenant of Redemption. These covenants highlight different aspects of God's relationship with humanity, emphasizing His faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. [22:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:35] - Introduction to Biblical Covenants
- [01:15] - Bultmann's Existential Theology
- [02:35] - Oscar Cullman's Rebuttal
- [03:14] - Salvation in History
- [04:51] - Real History in the Bible
- [06:11] - Chronos vs. Kairos
- [07:44] - Fullness of Time
- [09:02] - Gospel and Redemptive History
- [10:26] - Covenant Terminology
- [11:50] - Septuagint's Role
- [13:18] - Testament vs. Covenant
- [15:49] - Diatheke and Berith
- [17:53] - Sovereignty in Covenants
- [19:20] - Old vs. New Covenant
- [22:21] - Covenant of Creation vs. Redemption

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Understanding Biblical Covenants

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 2:1-2 - "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)"
2. Galatians 4:4 - "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law."
3. Hebrews 9:15 - "For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant."

Observation Questions:
1. How does the sermon describe the relationship between salvation history and actual historical events? [03:14]
2. What distinction does the sermon make between the Greek words "chronos" and "kairos"? [06:11]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of translating the Hebrew word "berith" as "diatheke" in the Septuagint? [15:05]
4. How does the sermon explain the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant? [21:12]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What implications does the sermon suggest about the nature of God's covenants being irrevocable and eternal? How does this understanding affect one's view of God's promises? [15:05]
2. How does the concept of "kairos" moments in the sermon relate to the idea of pivotal events in one's personal faith journey? [07:02]
3. In what ways does the sermon challenge the notion that the supernatural elements of the Bible are mythological? How does this perspective influence one's understanding of biblical narratives? [01:58]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus' work in marking a new era in redemptive history? What does this mean for the relationship between God and His people? [21:12]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "kairos" moment in your life. How did it transform your faith or perspective? [07:02]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding God's covenants as real historical events. How does this perspective change the way you read and interpret the Bible? [03:14]
3. Consider the irrevocable nature of God's promises. How does this assurance impact your trust in God's faithfulness during challenging times? [15:05]
4. The transition from the Old to the New Covenant signifies a profound transformation. How can you personally embrace this transformation in your daily walk with God? [21:12]
5. The sermon discusses the distinction between the Covenant of Creation and the Covenant of Redemption. How do these covenants highlight different aspects of God's relationship with humanity? How can this understanding deepen your relationship with God? [22:21]
6. How can you identify and seize "kairos" moments in your life to align more closely with God's plan for you? [07:02]
7. Reflect on the historical context of Jesus' birth as described in the sermon. How does recognizing the real historical setting of biblical events enhance your faith? [05:28]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Promises in Real History
The biblical covenants are not abstract agreements but divine promises deeply rooted in real history. This understanding challenges the notion that salvation history is separate from actual historical events, emphasizing that God's redemptive work unfolds within the tangible context of human history. The debate in the mid-20th century, led by scholars like Rudolf Bultmann, attempted to separate salvation history from actual history, suggesting that the supernatural elements of the Bible were mythological. However, theologians like Oscar Cullman and Hermann Ridderbos argued that the Bible's narrative is indeed redemptive history, but it is also real history, filled with references to actual historical figures and events. The New Testament documents, for instance, place the birth of Christ within the context of real historical events, emphasizing that God's work of redemption unfolds within the normal plane of history. [03:58]

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a moment in your life where you have seen God's promises fulfilled in a tangible way. How does this reinforce your understanding of God's work in real history?


Day 2: Chronos and Kairos in God's Plan
The distinction between "chronos" and "kairos" in the New Testament highlights the significance of historic moments in God's plan. While "chronos" refers to the passage of time, "kairos" signifies pivotal events that transform history, such as the coming of Christ in the "fullness of time." This distinction helps us understand that while time passes in a linear fashion, there are moments that are divinely appointed and transformative. These "kairos" moments are when God's intervention in history becomes evident, marking significant shifts in His redemptive plan. The coming of Christ is the ultimate "kairos" moment, where the divine intersects with the temporal to bring about salvation. [07:02]

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a "kairos" moment in your life where you felt God's presence in a transformative way. How can you remain open to recognizing these moments in your daily life?


Day 3: The Irrevocable Nature of God's Covenants
The translation of "berith" as "diatheke" in the Septuagint reflects the complexity of conveying the covenant concept. Unlike a testament, God's covenants are irrevocable and eternal, underscoring His sovereignty and the divine promise inherent in these agreements. The choice of "diatheke" over "synertheke" underscores the nature of God's covenants as sovereign and unilateral, not agreements between equals. This highlights the assurance and security we have in God's promises, knowing that they are not subject to change or revocation. God's covenants are a testament to His unchanging nature and His commitment to His people. [15:05]

"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in the irrevocable nature of God's promises? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness today?


Day 4: The New Era of the New Covenant
The transition from the Old to the New Covenant marks a new era in redemptive history, initiated by Christ's work. This shift is not merely a change in testament but a profound transformation in the relationship between God and His people, rooted in historical events. The New Covenant, established through Christ's sacrifice, brings about a new way of relating to God, characterized by grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This transformation is not just theological but deeply personal, affecting how we live and interact with God and others. [21:12]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: How has the New Covenant transformed your relationship with God? What changes can you make to live more fully in this new era of grace?


Day 5: The Covenants of Creation and Redemption
Understanding the biblical covenants requires recognizing the distinction between the Covenant of Creation and the Covenant of Redemption. These covenants highlight different aspects of God's relationship with humanity, emphasizing His faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. The Covenant of Creation establishes God's intention for humanity and the world, while the Covenant of Redemption reveals His plan to restore and redeem through Christ. Together, they provide a comprehensive view of God's purposes and His unwavering commitment to His creation. [22:21]

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight." (Ephesians 1:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: How do the Covenants of Creation and Redemption shape your understanding of God's plan for your life? What steps can you take to align your life with His redemptive purposes?

Quotes

"As we continue now with our study of the biblical covenants, in our first session, I mentioned to you, that the basic role of the covenant is that it is the structure of God's revelation in history. And I've used this term more than once -- the history of redemption or redemptive history -- because history is the context in which God works out His plan of redemption." [00:00:02]

"Oscar Cullman, the Swiss theologian and New Testament scholar, wrote a trilogy of books in the middle of the twentieth century concerned with this matter of redemptive history. His first book was called Christ And Time (Cristos ein Gestist -- Christ And Time) in which he examined the time-frame references of the Bible, like years, days, hours, and so on." [00:02:48]

"When we come to the New Testament documents, we come to the very birth of Christ -- the famous Christmas story. 'The decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled -- and that took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria.' In other words, the setting for the birth of Christ was placed in real history." [00:05:03]

"Again, a distinction that Oscar Cullman made in his first book of the trilogy, Christ in Time, was the distinction between two different words for 'time' in the Greek. One is the word chronos and the word chronos is the ordinary Greek word that refers to the moment by moment passing of time." [00:05:47]

"But the other word in the New Testament that can be translated 'time' is the word kairos, and kairos has a special meaning. It has to do not simply with history, but with what we would call the historical. I'm sorry, the historic. Everything that ever happens in time is historical, but not everything that happens is historic." [00:06:38]

"At the heart of the biblical announcement of the coming of the Messiah is the statement that 'Jesus came in the fullness of time -- the fullness of time.' The word there is pleroma and it's translated 'fullness,' but it's the kind of fullness that indicates satiation." [00:08:08]

"And that whole idea is inseparably related to the Gospel itself; that when Paul announces the Gospel in his letters, or the preaching in the book of Acts, they talk about how Jesus was born according to the Scriptures, in the fullness of time -- that God had prepared that throughout all of history." [00:09:10]

"In the Old Testament, the word that is translated by the English word 'covenant' is the word berith. And we run in to a little bit of problem when we come into the New Testament, because remember, the Old Testament is written in Hebrew and the New Testament is written in Greek." [00:10:04]

"Well, during the time of the writing of the Septuagint, lest the sacred Scriptures of the Hebrews be lost to the Jewish people who were now speaking Greek, a team of seventy scholars, Jewish scholars, came together and translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek." [00:10:55]

"Well, there were a couple of words that kind of competed and the word that won the day was the word diatheke, which is the New Testament translates -- which is how the Septuagint translates berith and how for the most part diatheke is used in the New Testament to translate the Hebrew word or the Hebrew concept of covenant." [00:12:36]

"But, when God makes a covenant with His people, He can punish them for covenant breaking, but He never, ever destroys the covenant promises that He makes. That's why baptism is so important in the life of the church; because baptism is the covenant sign in the New Testament -- and we'll get into that later." [00:14:37]

"The second way in which it's impoverished is that the benefits of the testament or diatheke do not accrue until after the testator dies. Well, obviously, when God enters into covenant with people, people don't have to wait for God to die to inherit the blessings from that covenant because He's incapable of dying." [00:15:23]

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Transcript
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