Our Position On Covenant Theology
(Also Known As Reformed Theology)
(Part 3)
Rock of Offence Special Commentary
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The Theology of Rock of Offence
What is generally referred to as "Christianity or the Christian faith" is sub-divided into over 2200 different groups and denominations. This alone testifies to Christianity's inability to agree on the teachings of the Bible. As a result, it's not hard to understand why the world rejects God. The issues that divide us will never be resolved until Jesus Christ returns. Because so many divisions and groups exist, there must be a method to distinguish between all the different doctrines and beliefs.
The following is a list that describes
the beliefs of this ministry in common
theological terms.
EVANGELICAL: Since the early days of the Protestant Reformation (and even as far back as the first century) an unbiblical salvation doctrine began to corrupt and dominate the institutional Christian Church. It essentially teaches the following; In order to receive Christian salvation from God an individual must first "clean up their life", repent from all sin and commit their life to Godly obedience and conduct. Yet, according to the New Testament Scriptures, this is actually an impossible precondition to satisfy. It strips a believer of the ability to have any "assurance of salvation" and places them in a state of intense fear and doubt. Dealing with personal sin (often called repentance) is necessary for the right reasons. However, the New Testament teaches that this act is not a prerequisite for obtaining our initial salvation (receiving God's gift of eternal life). We are instructed to “believe on Jesus Christ and be saved” regardless of the spiritual condition we are in at the time. This is clearly outlined in Romans 6:23, Romans 10:8-13, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 John 5:9-13, Romans 3:24-26 and Romans 5:18-21.
Our Heavenly Father, through His indwelling Holy Spirit, only begins to deal with personal sin and other character issues in the believer's life after salvation (eternal life) is received. The Bible refers to it as; Sanctification. However, if sanctification is made a pre-condition for receiving God's gift of eternal life ... the gift becomes nonsensical. The Evangelical movement generally came into existence to confront popular, yet misleading types of theology, which redefines Christ's unmerited and undeserved Grace-based salvation - into a works and merit-based system of religion ... which also refers to itself as; "Christianity”. Paul condemns this false system of faith in his "New Testament Epistles to the Church". The early roots of the Evangelical movement can be seen in the ministries of such men as George Whitfield (1714–1770), John Wesley (1703-1791), D.L. Moody (1837–1899), R.A. Torrey (1856-1928), Dr. Harry Ironside (1876-1951), William R. Newell (1868-1956), Billy Sunday (1862-1935), Chuck Smith (1927-2013), Jack Hayford (1934-*), Chuck Swindoll (1934-*), - and most notably; Dr. Billy Graham (born in 1917 and recently died in 2018). This list is not exhaustive and leaves out many other names. The movement's theme is based on the hymn "Just as I Am" written by Charlotte Elliott in 1835. It is estimated that the Evangelical movement has changed the lives of billions of people the world over and is specifically designed to be non-denominational in nature.
TRINITARIAN: Scripture teaches that God exists in three personages; The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The "three-in-one" existence of God is often referred to as "The Trinity".
DISPENSATIONAL: The Bible consists of 7 unique dispensations or administrations. Two of these are major administrations, which dominate both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. They are; the dispensation of Old Testament Law - and the dispensation of the Grace of God (established by the New Covenant). Mixing these two administrations together (as practiced by most churches and denominations) creates a counterfeit "works-based conditional salvation" established on the Law. Bible scholars often refer to it as 'meritorious salvation'. However, it's a false system of faith that our Heavenly Father rejects after His Son's death on the cross. Meritorious salvation is a foundational doctrine within Roman Catholicism and countless expressions of Protestant fundamentalism. The Apostle Paul commanded that God's Word is to be "rightly (or correctly) divided" to avoid this dangerous error (2 Timothy 2:15). Since they share the same goals and objectives, "rightly dividing God's Word" and the modern theological term 'Dispensationalism' are often used interchangeably.
FULL GOSPEL: Scripture teaches that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an empowerment (Jesus called it "an enduement of power from on high" in Luke 24:49), which is generally received only after an individual is saved or 'born again'. It is not to be confused with the "sealing of the Holy Spirit", which occurs at our initial salvation, when the Holy Spirit comes to indwell the believer (Ephesians 1:13-14). Both impartations can occur at the same time in unique situations. Yet, the pattern in the New Testament indicates that these are two separate events. A ministry that carries the "Full Gospel" label correctly believes that all nine "gifts of the Holy Spirit" (listed in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11) continue to operate in the Church of Jesus Christ today. Contrary to the critics, all of these gift ministries, used by the Holy Spirit to properly govern the Church of Christ, remain in place until the Church Age ends at the rapture.
PRE-TRIBULATIONAL: Scripture teaches that Jesus Christ bore all of the believer's judgment for sin (past-present-future) at the cross. As a result, His redemptive act exempts the Church (and all its true believing members) from a future time of God's global judgment known as the Tribulation, which is 7 years in length. In his Epistles to the Thessalonians", Paul describes how God removes His entire Church from the earth (they are caught up to meet the Lord in the air - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) shortly before this global judgment begins. Contrary to popular church teaching, the rapture is not a reward for good works, righteous behavior or Christian service. Jesus called it "an escape" and Paul gives more detail by referring to it as the Church's exemption and rescue from God's wrath and judgment sent against the world for rejecting His Son's salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).
PRE-MILLENNIAL: We believe in the New Testament teaching that the 1000 year (millennial) reign of Jesus Christ on the earth is a literal Divine administration, which only officially begins after Christ's Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation period. However, another theology known as Amillennialism currently dominates both the Catholic and Protestant sides of the world-wide Christian church. Simply understood, it falsely teaches that we are currently in "the millennium of God" (not considered to be a literal 1000 year period of time); and that Jesus Christ is governing it from heaven - not the earth. Amillennialism is part of a theology introduced by the 4th century Roman Catholic theologian Augustine ... also known as "the Father of Amillennial Theology". Over the years it has become an accepted "foundational doctrine of the church", which was brought into the Protestant Reformation by prominent preachers, such as John Calvin. Church history reveals that Calvin was a devoted disciple of Augustine. It is why many Protestant congregations today continue to embrace the misleading theology of Amillennialism. It corrupts countless church teachings, which are said to originate from the Bible.
Dispensationalism vs. Reformed
Theology
The Rock of Offence ministry is "Dispensational" in our interpretation of Scripture - which is also described by the Apostle Paul as "rightly dividing the Word of God" (2 Timothy 2:15). God's major dispensations didn't just start out of thin air. He didn't decide one day, "I think I'll start a new dispensation of Grace". The Scriptures teach that each dispensation (or administration) is initiated by something called “a blood covenant”. All the major dispensations of the Bible begin with a unique and physical blood covenant ceremonial event. Never confuse our teachings on the blood covenant - with Covenant Theology (or Reformed Theology). They may look and sound similar, but they are radically different. One purpose for our writings is to reveal the finished work of Christ at the cross - in the light of the historic and cultural institution of the blood covenant (the Bible calls it "the New Covenant"). As previously revealed by this study, our ministry does not support Covenant Theology (or Reformed Theology) in any way.
These unique dispensations and the blood covenants that govern their operation provide the reasons why Israel can never be the Church and the Church can never be "the new Israel". Covenant theologians (or "Reformed theologians") believe Israel is divinely cursed and eternally rejected from God's program. We see from the Scriptures (specifically the epistles of Saint Paul) that God is not finished with Israel (Rom. 11:25-36). Very soon this present dispensation of Grace will end with the departure (or the catching away) of the New Testament Church (1 Thess. 4:16-17). Following this event, Israel will be at the center of God's purposes once again during a seven-year period known as "The Tribulation" (also known as "Jacob's Trouble"). This seven year period of judgment is called 'Jacob's Trouble' ... not 'the Church's trouble. The name 'Jacob' directly applies to Israel. During this time, Saint Paul declares that "all of Israel will be saved".
"I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew..." (Rom 11:1-2)
“For I do not desire, brethren, that you (Christian believers living today) should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. AND SO ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED ...” (Romans 11:25-26)
The Grace of God
The problems with Covenant Theology become clear as we look at the topic of God's Grace. Most attacks and distortions against Saint Paul's Grace Gospel come from Covenant Theology and its close relative; Calvinism. We've done a number of studies on this topic and won't repeat these teachings here. Our comments are generalized and the reader can go to our website for more information.
The Apostle Paul preached the Gospel of Grace in his “Epistles to the Church” - described as "the unmerited and undeserved favor of God". When unmerited favor is extended to an individual, it means spiritual benefits and resources are given freely without requiring payment, performance or work. Another name for it is "free gift" (See Romans 9:31-33, Galatians 2:16, Romans 3:24-25, Romans 5:15-18, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 4:7, Hebrews 6:4, Romans 4:1-8, Titus 3:5-7). The authentic Gospel of Christ, established on the New Covenant, allows the unmerited favor of God to be expressed in the giving of spiritual benefits on the basis of faith only. Some Bible teachers, church leaders and evangelists attempt to discredit this New Testament Gospel message by calling it "cheap grace or greasy grace". Other’s like to call it “the watered-down gospel”. One angry fundamentalist pastor referred to those who believe in salvation through God’s Grace as belonging to "the grace cult". Yet, in some of these public tirades, these ministers are actually calling the blood of Christ; cheap. We are greatly concerned for the many preachers in this “anti-grace” camp. Their efforts reveal a total ignorance of the sufficiency of Christ's blood that now operates through the New Covenant. Grace (God's unmerited and undeserved favor) makes salvation totally free to us, but it cost Jesus Christ everything. If a friend went out and purchased an expensive sports car and gave it to you - would you thank him by saying, "What a cheap gift?" Just because you got it free doesn't make it cheap. It cost your friend a lot of money. So it is with God's Grace.
"Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." (Rom 3:27-28)
"And if by Grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work." (Romans 11:6)
“Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted (or reckoned) for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes (or assigns) righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin." (Romans 4:4-8)
"...not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:5-7)
Jesus Christ paid the full price of our salvation, which includes the future redemption of our bodies at the rapture of the Church. This allows our heavenly Father to bestow all the benefits of salvation upon the Christian believer according to His "unmerited and undeserved favor" called Grace.
The blood of Jesus enables Divine unmerited favor to be expressed because He perfectly fulfilled the Law for us - so that we could be liberated from its requirements (Matthew 5:17). Chapters 4-8 of Paul's epistle to the Romans give us the legal details of how it works. He explains how the law is only binding upon a person as long as they live. Yet, upon their death, they are freed from the Law. Saint Paul continues by saying that "we've become dead to the law through the body of Christ" (Romans 7:4). Jesus satisfied the judgment of the law against all human sin by taking our place. An ancient spiritual mandate was satisfied when Christ, the perfectly righteous and sinless Son of God, voluntarily died for the unrighteous human race. Through this act, our heavenly Father "imputes" our old cursed, sinful life onto Jesus as he hung on the cross - so that when Christ died, we died 'in Him' (Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:3) ... and was later "resurrected with him" (Ephesians 2:5-6). This is the legal foundation for our redemption through Grace: When Christ died, God reckons (considers it fact) that we died too ... and the requirements of the Law that were against us while being alive, also died with Him (Colossians 2:14). This is the reason God deals with believers through unmerited favor - and not as sinners. Paul reinforces this truth by making the following statement :
"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2:21)
Covenant Theology Redefines
God's Grace
During Saint Paul's ministry there were some Jewish evangelists, who waited for him to establish a church. They would then enter the fellowship after Paul left to "educate" the new Gentile Christians. They were known as "Judaizers". Jesus called them "wolves in sheep clothing" - and Saint Paul referred to them as "grievous wolves" (Acts 20:29). They were highly skilled in Jewish theology and instructed believers that, in addition to faith in Christ, they needed to keep the Mosaic Law of the Old Testament in order to be saved. Saint Paul had strong words for these teachers that he referred to as "false brethren" and "The Devil's ministers disguised as apostles of Christ" (Gal. 1:8-9 Gal. 2:4 Gal. 3:1-3, 2 Cor. 11:12-15).
Unfortunately, some denominations have their own brand of highly skilled modern-day Judaizers, who replace the teachings of Saint Paul with their own "covenant of grace theology" ... which they wrongly refer to as "the true apostolic doctrine". Their Bible teaching and salvation message is said to be based on Grace. Yet, on closer examination we find that it's a spiritual counterfeit (a look-alike or close copy). Under this brand of gospel you may be initially saved by Grace, but can only keep your salvation through a certain regiment, or system of religious works and merit. Various Bible scholars often referred to it as "The Jesus plus works gospel" ... or "the error of legalism". As we previously learned, some refer to it as "meritorious or conditional salvation" ... or "Galatian religion". Yet, regardless of its many labels - the result is the same; it makes God's free gift meaningless and nonsensical.
The supporters of Covenant/Reformed theology will not always be able to describe these merit-based works - so that the requirements can be satisfied. This sets the stage for what we call "treadmill religion." It occurs when the Christian believer is constantly working and performing, yet never knowing if their efforts are enough to satisfy God - so they keep working and performing. It also creates a religious dependency - where believers attend church services out of fear that they will "backslide" ... and lose their salvation. This is why you see an obsession with some Christians concerning church attendance. In their mind, a person's salvation could be jeopardized if meetings are missed (a form of "salvation by works and merit"). This is a result of Covenant/Reformed/Calvinistic teachings - rather than New Testament/New Covenant salvation. Suggesting that an individual’s salvation could be lost by failing to regularly attend church services is often a guarantee that the religious instituion involved will continue. There's no better way to motivate an individual to attend all services of the church than to convince them that attendance is a requirement for "keeping salvation". However, you can find no such requirement in the New Testament. In all fairness, an individual can be authentically saved under this kind of legalistic preaching. Yet, for the rest of their life they will constantly struggle (and suffer) under a counterfeit grace message, which brings them back under the bondage of the Law from which Christ had set them free (Galatians 2:4 and Galatians 5:1). This counterfeit message is always presented as fundamental teaching from the Bible - but it's actually established on out-of-context Scripture that makes God appear to says things ... that He does not say.
This is how it works: There is a secondary usage for the word "grace". It's referred to as "Divine enablement". If someone is suffering through a crisis - they might say something like, "I pray God gives me the grace to see this thing through" or "I pray God enables me with the strength to persevere". The word "Grace" used in this way suggests a "supernatural ability to perform or endure". Supporters of Covenant/Reformed theology allow their salvation doctrine to be based on this definition. The degree of influence varies between different congregations. To base their beliefs "literally" on the Grace teachings of Saint Paul - or God's unmerited favor - would undermine their doctrine. Remember our previous discussion concerning the two Covenants of Works and Grace? Covenant Theology views these as two expressions or subsets of one major covenant that governs the entire Bible. Yet, Dispensationalism (or what Paul referred to as "rightly dividing the Word") see works (the Law) and Grace (unmerited favor) as two different covenants (or dispensations) with totally different objectives and rules.
According to the foundational beliefs of Calvinism and Covenant/Reformed Theology, the Gospel of Grace conforms to the characteristic of Divine enablement, rather than unmerited favor. As a result, the following common saying will be quoted during a sermon or Bible teaching:
"Grace always exceeds the
requirements of the Law."
This statement represents a deceptive and persuasive maneuver that completely undermines the New Covenant teachings of Saint Paul. Yet, most church members hardly notice. The preachers who embrace this doctrine, claim that it is God's Grace - and not eternal life that is the real "gift of God".
These preachers then insist that this "gift of grace" enables you (or gives you the grace) to perform religious works in a way that exceeds the Law's original requirements, and thereby secures salvation and Divine favor. It is a cloaked way of saying that my religious performance or devotion contributes to salvation because God "enabled me" (or gave me the grace) to obey and live up to God's high standards. This is the way their Covenants of Works and Grace are "unified" and declared to be two aspects of the same truth.
But, Saint Paul calls this popular way of believing the Bible; "Handling the Word of God deceitfully" (2 Corinthians 4:2). It redefines and perverts the Gospel of Grace (established on Christ's New Covenant) and subtly reinstates Old Testament Law into the requirements for Christ's salvation. Yet, it "technically" continues to appear to be based on grace ... but it's not the Grace of Christ found in the New Testament Pauline epistles. This is the same kind of distortion and deception the Judaizers used to propagate their “different gospel of Christ” in Paul's day. There's really no difference. This error primarily operates through Protestant theology. We don't have to look at the various doctrines of Roman Catholicism to see wrong teaching. The Protestant side of Christianity has plenty of its own.
This is the reason we need to closely
examine the doctrine of various teachers
and church leaders, who claim that they
preach a "Grace Salvation message”. A
lot of dangerous teachings hide behind
the label of this redefined brand of
"grace".
Covenant Theology (or Reformed Theology) is popular. Do not underestimate the scope of its influence. It is a doctrine that exists in countless different flavors and expressions. It has not only infiltrated mainline denominational churches, but also many Pentecostal and Charismatic churches and groups. This same influence destroyed a successful youth for Christ revival in Washington, DC during the 1970's. I was deeply involved in this revival and witnessed, first hand, the destructive power of this theology. It has expression through the New Order Later Rain, Discipleship and Christian Restoration movements ... and often travels under the generic label of Christian fundamentalism. It is also the covert influence behind what's known as Christian Reconstructionism found in various Protestant denominations. The following is a brief description.
Christian Reconstructionism: A popular movement that seeks to impose God's Law on the civil governments of the World (primarily the United States) and attempts to bring back a form of "Old Testament theocracy", which is contrary to the New Covenant of Christ. It is also known as the "Kingdom Now movement", which has become popular because of immoral and godless lifestyles that have destroyed family values and traditional marriage.
Reconstructionism is a misguided
effort to physically bring the
"Kingdom of God" to earth, which
is something that Jesus specifically
said was not a characteristic of His
kingdom. (Luke 17:20-21).
Jesus establishes His kingdom on earth only after His Second Coming - and not before. Yet, theologians and adherents of the movement believe that civil governments must be made subject to the Kingdom of God (or Old Testament Law) before Jesus Christ will return. Another name for this belief is "Post-millennialism", which has its roots in a toxic and radical form of Calvinism/Reformed theology ... yet is embraced as Biblical truth by many professing Christians.
Rock of Offence does not support any of these movements or ideologies. We discuss the historic institution of the blood covenant found in Christ's New Covenant, which is recorded in the Bible.
The New Covenant, is also called "the new and living way of Christ" established on His blood (Read: Matt. 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, 1 Cor. 11:25, 2 Cor. 3:6, Heb. 8:6-13, Heb. 9:15, Heb. 10:19-23, Heb. 12:24).
It's unfortunate that some groups within the Christian church have distorted such a wonderful term as "covenant". This article is not designed as an exhaustive defense against Covenant Theology, but as a demonstration of the differences between our beliefs and their doctrine.
Additional Studies And Commentaries
Calvinism's Surprising Catholic Connection
By Dave Hunt (PDF format)
Why I Disagree With All Five Points
of Calvinism
Avoiding the Error of Replacement
Theology
The Controversy Concerning Christian
Zionism
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This is Part 3 of a three-part Bible study.
Click on the appropriate link to navigate
this material.
Part 1
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Part 2
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