This week we discuss Kline’s article from the mid 1990s called Covenant Theology Under Attack. First, we talk about Kline’s critique of Daniel Fuller. Fuller rejected the idea that God ever related to people on the basis of a works principle. Fuller argued that human obedience could not add to God’s glory. Here, he appealed to Luke 17:10, like many Reformed theologians. Like the authors of Merit & Moses, Fuller also used a speculative, ontological analysis to argue that any reward God might have given Adam would have far exceeded the value of Adam’s obedience. Next, Kline focuses his critique on John Murray because Murray restricted the definition of covenant to involve only the principle of grace. Finally, Kline critiques Murray’s student and successor, Norman Shepherd because Shepherd followed Murray’s covenant theology to its logical conclusion, and Shepherd denied the imputation of the active obedience of Christ to believers.
Show Notes:
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Covenant Theology Under Attack (censored version)
Covenant Theology Under Attack (uncensored version)
Covenant Theology Under Attack (audio)
1 Corinthians 15
The Unity of the Bible by Daniel Fuller
Gospel and Law: Contrast or Continuum? by Daniel Fuller
Covenant Theology in Reformed Perspective by Mark Karlberg
Romans 5
Episode 24: Kline’s Definition of Grace
Redefining Merit by Lee Irons
Redefining Merit by Lee Irons (audio)
Creator, Redeemer, Consummator: A Festschrift for Meredith G. Kline
Luke 17:10
Romans 5:14
Matthew 20:1-16
Genesis 3
The Covenant of Grace by John Murray
Collected Writings of John Murray Volume 2
Westminster Confession of Faith 19:1
The Imputation of Adam’s Sin by John Murray
Desiring God by John Piper
Future Grace by John Piper
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