Biblically Optimistic and Gospel-Based
"For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled." (Luke 21:22)
Posted on 10/22/2008 11:05:19 AM PDT by Gamecock
Many visitors have asked me where the new ESV Study Bible comes down on the issue of Covenant theology vs. Dispensationalism. The ESVSB being so broadly eccumenical again gave hesitation because I thought it may not take a stand on this issue. I was wrong again. Eccumenial in this instance, simply means the contributors included Baptists, Presbyterians, Anglicals and Charismatic. But the is it overall most definitely Reformed and quite strikingly covenantal in most places. While the Study Bible (perhaps wisely) does not take a firm stand on any millennial view, it does seem to openly affirm some basics of Covenant Theology rather than Dispensationalism or New Covenant Theology.
Vern S. Poythress wrote the ESVSB introductory article at the front of the Bible entitled Overview of the Bible: A Survey of the History of Salvation. As a committed covenant theologian, this view is clearly articulated here. This is a great article but especially read the subsections entitled, Covenants, Offspring, Christ the Last Adam and Shadows, Prefigures, and “Types”
Read Poythress ESVSB article here in .pdf.
Also in some of the Bible notes it has the same ideas expressed:
Heb 5:8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And a being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
The note for Hebrews 5:8-10 says
Heb. 5:8 Although he was a son. See 1:1–14 and 5:5. Jesus, though fully divine, was also fully human. he learned obedience through what he suffered. Though always without sin (4:15; 7:26) and thus always obedient, Jesus nevertheless acquired knowledge and experience by living as a human being (cf. Luke 2:40, 52), and he especially came to know firsthand what it cost to maintain obedience in the midst of suffering (see notes on Heb. 2:9; 2:10; 2:18; 4:15). As Jesus “increased in wisdom and stature” (Luke 2:52), successive temptations were no doubt more difficult to deal with (cf. Luke 4:12), and as he obeyed his Father in the face of each temptation, he “learned obedience,” so that his human moral ability was strengthened.
Heb. 5:9–10 being made perfect. During his childhood, Jesus was not lacking in any godly character quality, but he was lacking in the full experience of having lived a perfect human life, obeying the Father in everything, without sin. The lifelong perfect obedience of Jesus (v. 8; 7:26–28) provides the basis for eternal salvation (2:10; 9:23–28) and for the ultimate “perfection” of those who respond in faith and obedience (10:14; 11:40; 12:23; cf. 7:19; 9:9; 10:1). order of Melchizedek. See 5:6 and ch. 7.
While the terms Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism are never used as far as I can see, the ideas of CT are certainly articulated. It also may be of interest to note that the editors and a large number of the contributors subscribe to covenant theology, but I did notice one or two progressive dispensationalists like D. Bock as well. But the General Editors J.I. Packer and Wayne Grudem are clearly covenant in their outlook. See Grudems essay on The Covenant of Works which will cast aside all doubts where he stands. He is a credo baptist but in all else he is covenantal.
But also note that in very important critical books of the New Testament which touch upon this issues, the authors of the notes are covenantal. For example, the notes for Reveation are done by Dennis Johnson from Westminster Seminary; the notes for Ephesians are by S.M. Bough, also from Westminster, Hebrews by David Chapman from Covenant Seminary etc. Just one big happy family here. While I may not agree with everything in the notes, but overall the Bible has exceeded my expectations.
For Your Escatology Ping List?
Thank you. Our church went to ESV pew Bibles last year. Now I can get a study Bible, too :>)
Ping to a few who might be interested.
I look over study Bibles very closely before purchasing one. The stance of the editors on the Covenantal vs. Dispensational debate is critical in making my decision.
Tommorrow I will post a similar article on the equally important the topic of soteriology.
You betcha.
FWIW the “Reformation Study Bible” is ESV. It was done previously with the NKJV text and titled the “New Geneva Study Bible.” In spite of the Biblical texts consisting of different versions, the notes are the same. R.C. Sproul is the editor of this particular study Bible.
I have the NGSB.
How is the binding???? Call me a book snob, but I hate spending serious book money on expensive glued together Bibles.
to read later.
Well, I don't know some of those guys, but I know Eric Costa. I think his critique of dispensationalism might go just a tad deeper than that. Have you read any reformed critiques of dispensationalism? Vern Poythress is very clear, cogent, friendly and detailed. I have also read what I consider to be the "meat" of the defenses of dispensationalism by Walvoord, Pentecost, Ryrie.
Oh yeah, I’ve read critiques. They’re still often based on the Old Scofield Bible of (is it?) 1906, and they tend to be lame.
I want to read Poythress’; it is on my list. I’ll eventually force myself to grit my teeth through Riddlebarger, but only because it’s influential. Statements of his that I’ve read have me wondering why.
They’re still often based on the Old Scofield Bible
"Classic" dispensationalism (that Oswald Allis wrote about 50 years ago) is alive and well out in the churches. I have heard such whackiness as you would not believe, with my own ears.
"For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled." (Luke 21:22)
I recall sitting in a study once and having a guy start reading from his Bible only to find out it was the classic Scofield Notes he was quoting. I worked with a guy that would give away classic Scofield Bibles by the box load. He said the newer version was full of modernism.
I’ll keep my eye on amazon, you might get a practiacally new one for a penny, Many big book dealers selling books for a penny and they make their profit off of the shipping. Of course the books they offer for a penny are the mass produced books.
I’m a fan of the New Geneva Study Bible. I prefer the NKJV to the ESV.
I must have 20 Bibles easily. I love the notes in my Thompson Chain Reference which I think is the best, but I really don’t like the NASB as well as I thought I would. It’s a dispensational version but the other notes far outweigh that problem. I have an ESV which I like and we use at church but it has no notes which is a real bummer. Alas, if I purchase ONE more Bible I think my wife will throw me out the window.
I love the notes in my Thompson Chain Reference which I think is the best, but I really don’t like the NASB as well as I thought I would. It’s a dispensational version
How so? The NASB, or the Thompson Chain Reference stuff?
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