Over the weekend a did a bit of surfing the web (the weather was gorgeous and I spent most of Saturday outdoors enjoying God's creation). Over at The Gospel Coalition I came across something that puzzled me. Towards the end of an interview he did on studying the book of Genesis, Dr. Bryan Chapell, is asked the following question. Below it I've posted his answer:
I've underlined the phrase that confuses me. One of the things that makes historic reformed theology different from say, dispensationalism, is covenant theology. We believe that the structure of Scripture (i.e. its skeleton) is not different epochs or dispensations but divine covenants. If anything, historic reformed theology has always seen "covenant" as a primary theme of Scripture -- not a literary sub-theme.
Dr. Chapell currently serves as the president of Covenant Theological Seminary and he worships at The Covenant Presbyterian Church. I don't think the founders of those institutions believed "covenant" to be a literary sub-theme.
For those who think that I'm exaggerating you can read the entire post here: Studying Genesis with Bryan Chapell – The Gospel Coalition Blog
I don't have a good explanation for this statement except that Dr. Chapell is playing to the "evangelical middle" in this interview. But, if appealing to The Young, Restless and Reformed crowd means that we downplay the core of our theological system, then we are giving away the store.
For those who want to know what a more robust view of reformed theology looks like consider this essay:
http://kimriddlebarger.squarespace.com/how-many-points/
What are the major themes of the book of Genesis?
Surely, creation would have to be a theme of Genesis, then the fall—something went wrong. . . . Then provision: God is going to make it right again; a plan to do so; and a people through whom he will do it. Creation, fall, provision, plan, and people: God is, in essence, unfolding that gospel story.
There are many literary sub-themes in the book of Genesis—we’ll see principles of covenant; we’ll see principles of people; the establishment of the land for God’s people; the establishment of family.
I've underlined the phrase that confuses me. One of the things that makes historic reformed theology different from say, dispensationalism, is covenant theology. We believe that the structure of Scripture (i.e. its skeleton) is not different epochs or dispensations but divine covenants. If anything, historic reformed theology has always seen "covenant" as a primary theme of Scripture -- not a literary sub-theme.
Dr. Chapell currently serves as the president of Covenant Theological Seminary and he worships at The Covenant Presbyterian Church. I don't think the founders of those institutions believed "covenant" to be a literary sub-theme.
For those who think that I'm exaggerating you can read the entire post here: Studying Genesis with Bryan Chapell – The Gospel Coalition Blog
I don't have a good explanation for this statement except that Dr. Chapell is playing to the "evangelical middle" in this interview. But, if appealing to The Young, Restless and Reformed crowd means that we downplay the core of our theological system, then we are giving away the store.
For those who want to know what a more robust view of reformed theology looks like consider this essay:
http://kimriddlebarger.squarespace.com/how-many-points/
