Quick summary of classical covenant theology (Federal Theology)

In classical covenant theology (Federal Theology is classical covenant theology systematized) there are three basic covenants. The Covenant of Redemption made between God the Father (representing the Trinity) and God the Son. This covenant was made before the foundation of the world. In this covenant the Son agrees to pay the price for God's elect. The Covenant of Redemption is a covenant of 'works.' Then there is the Covenant of Works itself made between God and Adam. This takes place in time, in history. God commands Adam "do this and live" and Adam fails to fulfill the covenant and falls, and all who are 'in Adam' fall as well because Adam is the *federal head* of all humanity. The creation itself falls as well.

Once Adam falls the Covenant of Grace is announced to him (this is the aforementioned Covenant of Redemption as it plays out in historical time). The Covenant of Grace says "believe this and live". It begins with types and shadows of the coming Saviour. The object of Old Testament saint's saving faith was the *coming* Messiah, which they knew of in the types and shadows of the ceremonial laws and from their prophets. The object of New Testament saints saving faith is the *already come* Messiah.

All the other covenants from the fall to the incarnation of Christ are part of the Covenant of Grace (including the Mosaic Covenant). The Noaic Covenant is part of the Covenant of Grace because with it God sets the stage for the Covenant of Grace to play out. He says He won't bring destruction on man or creation like He did with the flood. The Abrahmic is the covenant of grace, the Davidic as well. The Mosaic Covenant *seems* like a covenant of works and it *is* BUT only for Jesus to fulfull. The Mosaic Covenant is a *republication* of the Covenant of Works in the Garden that God made with Adam. Jesus needed to be born under the law to have that law to fulfill. It is made with *national Israel* which is a type for Jesus Christ. When Jesus fulfills the law (to a 't') he is doing what the *first Adam* failed to do, and thus as the federal head of God's elect he is fulfilling the Covenant of Works AND he is paying the penalty for it being broken - death. Jesus' following the law to a 't' and his willing death on the cross is called his active and passive obedience. It is *imputed* to any who believe in Him.

The new covenant is different from the old in that what God demands in the new he *gives freely.* Faith for instance. Among other ways it's new and better.

Behind all this is - and what this is - is the Plan of Redemption. Man created 'on high', a fall, and then being drawn back up to a higher level than where you were created at (that is the eschatological glorification aspect). The Plan sets up the mechanics for created beings to develop by God's will *without* it being merely by fiat (which would just make us robots).

It's mystical. Self-will vs. God's will. The position (with all the tensions and mystery and acting 'top down') the covenants and our 'federal heads' Adam and Christ put us in gives us the potential to come alive in a real way (or not, i.e. hell is real, as real as glorification). You become 'in Christ' and no longer "in Adam" by simple belief in Jesus Christ and who He is. Of course this 'simple belief' entails alot of inner battle and getting above vanity, worldly pride, and rebellious self-will. It requires regeneration by the Word and the Spirit. Etc. You have to become a new man.

But everything else on this planet and in all cultures and activities of man is general revelation and idol worship and basically vanity chasing its tail. You can learn from it all, develop in it, but eventually there is one thing that is real and necessary. John 3:16! - C.