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103-526: CanRC emphasizes the importance of adherence to Biblical, covenantal , redemptive-historical preaching within the Reformed Christian tradition, as well as sanctification . CanRC churches believe in the full sovereignty of God and in Biblical infallibility . The basis of the preaching and teaching in these churches is the belief that Jesus Christ is both truly God and truly human, and

206-593: A "top-down" model of church government. This approach to church polity reflects their European Reformed roots and it is used to be both anti-hierarchical and anti-independent, promoting both the autonomy of the local church and the need to cooperate within a federation. Only male members who have made profession of faith and meet the conditions as set forth in certain Biblical passages (such as 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1) are eligible for office as pastors, elders, and deacons. Women are not eligible for office. The government of

309-545: A Covenant of Works in the writings of those such as Olevianus and Rollock . Additionally, defenders of the merit-based view argue that the concept of this works principle operating in the pre-Fall state in the Garden of Eden as a covenant is present in the early confessions even if the Covenant of Works is not explicitly named. Examples include Belgic Confession, article 14, which speaks of Adam having received and transgressed

412-520: A condition for life with Adam in the Garden of Eden, comparing Adam's works to the works of Christ. He disputed its label as a covenant, however, preferring to call this arrangement the Adamic administration. At Westminster Theological Seminary in the late 1970s, Norman Shepherd , a professor of systematic theology was dismissed due to controversy over his teaching on justification . His views involved

515-425: A covenant of works administered with Adam in the Garden of Eden. Upon Adam's failure, God established the covenant of grace in the promised seed Genesis 3:15 , and shows His redeeming care in clothing Adam and Eve in garments of skin—perhaps picturing the first instance of animal sacrifice. The specific covenants after the fall of Adam are seen as administered under the overarching theological covenant of grace. There

618-700: A debate as to whether the synod should be national, as the Contra-Remonstrants wished, or provincial for Holland, as the Remonstrants argued. This decision was worked out in 1617, with outside input from the English ambassador Dudley Carleton . The purpose of the Synod was to settle the controversy over Arminianism. It was subsequently alleged, but never proven, that the outcome had already been decided. According to Frederick Calder, "condemnation [of

721-687: A document called The Remonstrance of 1610 , and the Arminians were therefore also known as Remonstrants . They taught conditional election on the basis of foreseen faith, unlimited atonement , resistible grace , and the possibility of lapse from grace . The opposing Calvinists or Gomarists, led by Franciscus Gomarus of the University of Leiden , became known as the Contra-Remonstrants . The Arminians were accused of propagating false doctrine and perceived as ready to compromise with

824-405: A fundamental principle of the covenant of works. Christianity • Protestantism Methodism maintains the superstructure of classical covenant theology, but being Arminian in soteriology , it discards the "predestinarian template of Reformed theology that was part and parcel of its historical development." The main difference between Wesleyan covenant theology and classical covenant theology

927-430: A mirage. We who have believed on Christ would still be under condemnation. The gospel truth, however, is that Christ has performed the one act of righteousness and by His obedience of the one the many are made righteous (Rom 5:18, 19) .... Underlying Christ's mediatorship of a covenant of grace for the salvation of believers is His earthly fulfillment, through meritorious obedience, of His heavenly covenant of works with

1030-765: A missionary in West Timor, Indonesia . The church at Smithers, BC has started a program of outreach among the First Nations people living in the Bulkley Valley region of northern British Columbia. Local outreach involved Sunday schools, teen activities, and Bible camps. Smithers Home Mission also sent a missionary to work in Prince George, B.C ., the largest urban centre in Northern British Columbia. Many churches also support

1133-498: A point of doctrine or as a central dogma , but as the structure by which the biblical text organizes itself. The most well-known form of Covenant Theology is associated with Presbyterians and comes from the Westminster Confession of Faith . Another form is sometimes called Baptist Covenant Theology or 1689 Federalism, to distinguish it from the standard covenant theology of Presbyterian Westminster Federalism. It

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1236-633: A radio program called The Voice of the Church . The Canadian Reformed Churches also have "ecclesiastical fellowship" with a number of Reformed and Presbyterian church federations, including the following: The Americas: Abroad: The ecclesiastical fellowships involve accepting each other’s members as their iown, inviting delegates to each other’s assemblies or synods, allowing each other’s ministers to preach in church, keeping each other informed about major ecclesiastical decisions and relations with other parties, and generally helping each other remain true to

1339-430: A reconfiguration of covenant theology that went beyond those of Murray, his predecessor. Shepherd denied any notion of a works or merit principle, leading to a denial of the imputation of Christ's active obedience to the believer. He argued that Jesus' own justification was due to His faith and obedience. In the same way then, the believer must be justified before God by faith and obedience. Shepherd's followers claim that

1442-793: A refutation of the Calvinistic doctrines, especially that of reprobation, hoping that, by placing his objections to this doctrine in front of all the rest, he might excite such prejudice against the other articles of the system, as to secure the popular voice in his favor. The Synod, however, very properly, reminded him ... that, as the Remonstrants were accused of departing from the Reformed faith, they were bound first to justify themselves, by giving Scriptural proof in support of their opinions. The Arminians would not submit to this plan of procedure because it destroyed their whole scheme of argument ... and were thus compelled to withdraw. Upon their departure,

1545-565: A separate priestly covenant, independent of the Mosaic covenant (which he takes as a prophetic covenant). In taken with the Davidic (kingly) covenant, this represents the three offices of Christ. Van Dorn argues this case on the basis of Nehemiah 13:29 which refers to "the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites", Malachi 2:8 who speaks of "the covenant of Levi," and Jeremiah 33:21 who points to

1648-539: Is a biblical theology , a conceptual overview and interpretive framework for understanding the overall structure of the Bible . It is often distinguished from dispensational theology , a competing form of biblical theology. It uses the theological concept of a covenant as an organizing principle for Christian theology . The standard form of covenant theology views the history of God's dealings with mankind, from Creation to Fall to Redemption to Consummation , under

1751-587: Is a reinvigoration of the covenant of works beyond the fall. Synod of Dort The Synod of Dort (also known as the Synod of Dordt or the Synod of Dordrecht ) was a European transnational Synod held in Dordrecht in 1618–1619, by the Dutch Reformed Church , to settle a divisive controversy caused by the rise of Arminianism . The first meeting was on 13 November 1618 and the final meeting,

1854-423: Is as follows: The point of divergence is Wesley’s conviction that not only is the inauguration of the covenant of grace coincidental with the fall, but so is the termination of the covenant of works. This conviction is of supreme importance for Wesley in facilitating an Arminian adaptation of covenant theology—first, by reconfiguring the reach of the covenant of grace; and second, by disallowing any notion that there

1957-493: Is associated with Reformed Baptists and comes from the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. Methodist hermeneutics traditionally use a variation of this, known as Wesleyan covenant theology, which is consistent with Arminian soteriology. As a framework for Biblical interpretation, covenant theology stands in contrast to dispensationalism in regard to the relationship between

2060-496: Is considered to be the visible New Testament sign of entrance into the Abrahamic Covenant and therefore may be administered individually to new believers making a public profession of faith . Paedobaptists further believe this extends corporately to the households of believers which typically would include children , or individually to children or infants of believing parents (see Infant baptism ). In this view, baptism

2163-553: Is debate among the reformed if the Mosaic covenant was in some way a republication of the covenant of works . The view that there was such a republication was advocated by Thomas Boston , Edward Fisher , Meredith Kline and John Owen . The covenant of grace promises eternal life for all people who have faith in Christ. God also promises the Holy Spirit to the elect to give them willingness and ability to believe. Christ

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2266-677: Is divided first by local consistories, then into eight classical regions, next with two annual regional synods, and finally a general synod. General synod takes place every three years. All of the churches are also involved, either directly or indirectly, in the work of foreign mission. The Cornerstone Church of Hamilton, Ontario has sent a missionary working in northern Brazil . The church of Aldergrove, British Columbia, has sent two missionaries working in northern Brazil . The Bethel Church of Toronto has sent two missionaries in Papua New Guinea . The church of Smithville, Ontario, has sent

2369-454: Is formed with representatives from Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia school societies serving as a Board of Governors. By 2022, the CCRTC had graduated 250 students, many of whom are currently employed by Canadian Reformed schools across Canada. The Reformed Bible College is also run by CanRC. It runs short online courses on specific Bible books and topics. Although separate from

2472-638: Is most often used for the collection of books in the Bible, but can also refer to the New Covenant as a theological concept. The covenant of grace became the basis for all future covenants that God made with mankind such as with Noah ( Genesis 6, 9 ), with Abraham ( Genesis 12, 15, 17 ), with Moses ( Exodus 19–24 ), with David ( 2 Samuel 7 ), and finally in the New Covenant founded and fulfilled in Christ. These individual covenants are called

2575-482: Is prominent. Concerning this aspect of the Mosaic Covenant, Charles Hodge makes three points in his Commentary on Second Corinthians : (1) The Law of Moses was in first place a reenactment of the covenant of works; viewed this way, it is the ministration of condemnation and death. (2) It was also a national covenant, giving national blessings based on national obedience; in this way it was purely legal. (3) In

2678-436: Is taught at schools such as Covenant Theological Seminary , Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary , Knox Theological Seminary , Reformed Theological Seminary , Westminster Theological Seminary , and Westminster Seminary California . There have been recent developments in classical covenant theology by Reformed (Calvinist) pastors and theologians. Wesleyan covenant theology, a variation of classical covenant theology,

2781-412: Is the substitutionary covenantal representative fulfilling the covenant of works on their behalf, in both the positive requirements of righteousness and its negative penal consequences (commonly described as His active and passive obedience). It is the historical expression of the eternal covenant of redemption. Genesis 3:15 , with the promise of a "seed" of the woman who would crush the serpent's head,

2884-651: Is the long-awaited Messiah who suffered and died for the sins of God's people, and that this demands a thankful response of faith and obedience. Like many other Reformed churches, they teach that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. They broadly follow Calvinist theology, and have adopted the Three Forms of Unity , a common Calvinist doctrine. When a member of the church public states their faith in Jesus, they are understood to subscribe to

2987-511: Is the promise of the Lord , "I will be your God and you will be my people" ( cf . Exodus 6:7 , Leviticus 26:12 ), particularly displayed as His glory-presence comes to dwell in the midst of the people. This covenant is the one most in view when referring to the Old Covenant . Although it is a gracious covenant beginning with God's redemptive action ( cf . Exodus 20:1–2 ), a layer of law

3090-400: Is then due to an alien or imputed righteousness received by faith, not by personal faithfulness which is the fruition of salvation and not its ground. On the other hand, Calvinist theologians more in line with Murray tend to say that works were never meant to be the basis for grace, but that grace precedes the call for obedience. Consequently, works are the necessary response to grace and not

3193-402: Is then on grace and faith . This has not been developed consistently between the various theologians. For example, Barth, influential in the mainline churches and in certain evangelical circles, conceived of grace as the fundamental reality underlying all of creation. Influential among more conservative Calvinist churches, Murray acknowledged the traditional concept of a works principle as

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3296-548: Is thus seen as the functional replacement and sacramental equivalent of the Abrahamic rite of circumcision (Colossians 2:11–14) and symbolizes the internal cleansing from sin , among other things. Credobaptist Covenant theologians (such as the Baptists Benjamin Keach , John Gill , and Charles Spurgeon ) hold that baptism is only for those who can understand and profess their faith, and they argue that

3399-1066: Is used in some sister churches of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations and similar, smaller denominations. Like its sister translations, the Genevan Bible and the King James Version (Authorized Version), the Dutch pastor-scholars worked in the Old Testament from the Masoretic Text (consulting the Septuagint ) and in the New Testament from the Textus Receptus (consulting the Majority Text ). In 1645,

3502-585: Is usually identified as the historical inauguration for the covenant of grace. The covenant of grace runs through the Old and New Testaments, and is the same in substance under both the law and gospel, though there is some difference in the administration. Under the law, the sacrifices, prophesies, and other types and ordinances of the Jews signified Christ, and men were justified by their faith in Him just as they would be under

3605-594: The Acts of the Apostles 2:38–39 , the promise is seen to extend to the children of believers as it always was in the Abrahamic Covenant. The Biblical covenants between God and man include signs and seals that visibly represent the realities behind the covenants. These visible signs and symbols of God's covenant redemption are administered in a corporate manner (for instance, to households—see Acts 16:14–15 ; 16:31–34 ), not in an exclusively individualistic manner. Baptism

3708-825: The Calvinist position regarding the doctrine of the Sovereignty of God in salvation. The Decision of the Synod of Dort on the Five Main Points of Doctrine in Dispute in the Netherlands , popularly known as the Canons of Dort , is the explanation of the judicial decision of the Synod. In the original preface, the Decision is called: a judgment, in which both, the true view agreeing with God's word concerning

3811-557: The Old Covenant (with national Israel) and the New Covenant (with the house of Israel [ Jeremiah 31:31 ] in Christ's blood ). That such a framework exists appears at least feasible, since from New Testament times the Bible of Israel has been known as the Old Testament (i.e., Covenant; see 2 Corinthians 3:14 [NRSV], "they [Jews] hear the reading of the old covenant "), in contrast to the Christian addition which has become known as

3914-466: The Real Presence of Christ mediated by the Holy Spirit (that is, real spiritual presence or pneumatic presence ). This differs from Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism which believe in the Real Presence as an actual bodily presence of Christ, as well as from the generally Baptist position that the supper is strictly a memorial commemoration. Paedobaptist Covenant theologians argue that

4017-834: The Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated) (GKV) who immigrated to Canada following World War II . These Dutch immigrants first made contact with already-existing Reformed churches in Canada, especially the Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRC) and the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), in the hope that they could join with them. This was deemed impossible due to theological differences with

4120-573: The Second Helvetic Confession (1566). Some of Shepherd's critics contend that the concept of a works principle distinct from a Covenant of Grace is evident in the commentaries and dogmatic works of the earliest covenant theologians, particularly in the distinction made between Law and Gospel (for instance, Zacharias Ursinus , Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism ). There is also explicit articulation of

4223-801: The United States , the Princeton theologians ( Charles Hodge , A. A. Hodge , B. B. Warfield , Geerhardus Vos , and J. Gresham Machen ) and, in the Netherlands , Herman Bavinck followed the main lines of the classic view, teaching the Covenant of Redemption, the Covenant of Works (Law), and the Covenant of Grace ( Gospel ). Recent well-known covenant theologians in the United States include Michael Horton , J. Ligon Duncan III , Meredith G. Kline , J. I. Packer , Richard L. Pratt Jr. , O. Palmer Robertson and R. C. Sproul . This system

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4326-611: The Westminster Assembly appointed Theodore Haak to translate the Statenvertaling met kanttekeningen ( The Dort Bible and its Commentary ) into English for wider distribution. This work was published by Henry Hill in London 1657. The Synod rejected the teachings of the Remonstrants on the controverted points as falling outside the bounds of the Reformed confessions. There followed the political condemnation of

4429-461: The Westminster Confession of Faith , that the Mosaic covenant was fundamentally an administration of the Covenant of Grace. A number of major 20th-century covenant theologians including Karl Barth , Klaas Schilder , and John Murray have departed from the traditional recognition of a covenant of works in classical covenant theology to develop a monocovenantal scheme subsuming everything under one Covenant of Grace. The focus of all biblical covenants

4532-586: The biblical covenants because they are explicitly described in the Bible. Under the covenantal overview of the Bible, submission to God's rule and living in accordance with His moral law (expressed concisely in the Ten Commandments ) is a response to grace – never something which can earn God's acceptance ( legalism ). Even in His giving of the Ten Commandments, God introduces His law by reminding

4635-543: The regulative principle of worship , which many paedobaptists also advocate and which states that elements of worship (including baptism) must be based on explicit commands of Scripture, is violated by infant baptism. Furthermore, because the New Covenant is described in Jeremiah 31:31–34 as a time when all who were members of it would have the law written on their hearts and would know God, Baptist Covenant Theologians believe only those who are born again are members of

4738-620: The tree of life , the tree of knowledge of good and evil , and the Sabbath are commonly considered to be the sacraments of the covenant of works. The Eucharist or the Lord's Supper was instituted by Jesus at a Passover meal, to which he gave a radical reinterpretation. The festival of Passover commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt – specifically, how the lamb's blood which God commanded them to place on their door posts caused

4841-413: The "commandment of life"; or Heidelberg Catechism, Question and Answer 6 affirming the goodness of man in creation. The later Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) explicitly names the Covenant of Works which Adam transgressed (7.2; 19.1), and which "continues to be a perfect rule of righteousness" in the form of the moral law (19.2, 3). In opposition to the modern revisers, Meredith Kline reemphasized

4944-645: The "covenant with the Levitical priests." Van Dorn argues that the covenant document for this covenant is the book of Leviticus itself. The Davidic covenant is found in 2 Samuel 7 . The Lord proclaims that He will build a house and lineage for David, establishing His kingdom and throne forever. This covenant is appealed to as God preserves David's descendants despite their wickedness ( cf . 1 Kings 11:26–39 , 15:1–8 ; 2 Kings 8:19 , 19:32–34 ), although it did not stop judgment from finally arriving (compare 2 Kings 21:7 , 23:26–27 ; Jeremiah 13:12–14 ). Among

5047-480: The 154th, was on 9 May 1619. Voting representatives from eight foreign Reformed churches were also invited. Dort was a contemporary Dutch term for the town of Dordrecht (and it remains the local colloquial pronunciation). In 2014, the first entire critical edition of the Acts and Documents of the Synod was published. There had been previous provincial synods of Dort, and a National Synod in 1578. For that reason

5150-651: The 1618 meeting is sometimes called the Second Synod of Dort . The acts of the Synod were tied to political intrigues that arose during the Twelve Years' Truce , a pause in the Dutch war with Spain . After the death of Jacobus Arminius his followers presented objections to the Belgic Confession and the teaching of John Calvin , Theodore Beza , and their followers. These objections were published in

5253-420: The 1640s. John Calvin writes of a probationary period for Adam, a promise of life for obedience, and the federal headship of Adam, but he does not write of a covenant of works. It is not referred to as a covenant in the opening chapters of Genesis , but is referred to as a covenant in Hosea 6:7, "But like Adam, they transgressed the covenant; there, they dealt faithlessly with Me." Covenant theology first sees

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5356-458: The Abrahamic Covenant is still in force, and that God's covenantal promise "to be your God and the God of your descendants after you" still stands for every believer. The argument that the administration of all (other) Biblical covenants, including the New Covenant, include a principle of familial , corporate inclusion, or "generational succession" is therefore of secondary importance to whether infants should be baptized or not. The familial nature of

5459-443: The Abrahamic covenant is undisputed. Genesis 17 "You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. 13 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised." In

5562-451: The American states of Washington , Michigan and Colorado . (The Canadian Reformed Church was Started on April 16 1950) (CanRc was founded by members of the Reformed Churches in the NetherLands who immigrated to Canada Following World war 2) Under the assertion that the government of the church must be regulated by the Bible, the Canadian Reformed Churches practice what they call a traditionally Reformed "bottom-up" polity, as opposed to

5665-422: The Angel of Death to "pass over" their dwellings, so that their firstborn might be spared from the final plague. The New Testament writers understand this event typologically : as the lamb's blood saved the Israelites from the plague, so Jesus' substitutionary death saves God's New Covenant people from being judged for their sins. Calvinism has generally viewed the Eucharist as a mysterious participation in

5768-438: The Canadian Reformed Churches is based on the Church Order adopted by the Synod of Dort (1618–1619). The Canadian Reformed Churches have revised the Church Order to reflect changed circumstances, and to incorporate minor improvements. The revised Church Order follows the principles and structure of the Church Order of Dort. The Church Order contains 76 Articles which are divided into four sections dealing with: The federation

5871-415: The Covenant and Testament of God ( Summa doctrinae de foedere et testamento dei , 1648), Francis Turretin (1623–1687) in his Institutes of Elenctic Theology , and Hermann Witsius (1636–1708) in The Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man . It may also be seen in the writings of Jonathan Edwards (1703–58) in Collected Writings of Jonathan Edwards , Vol 2, Banner of Truth edition, p. 950. In

5974-421: The Covenant of Works between Adam and God in the Garden of Eden was not originally part of covenant theology, following John Murray's observation that a covenant of works at creation does not receive explicit mention in early confessions such as the French Confession (1559), the Scots Confession (1560), the Belgic Confession (1561), the Thirty-Nine Articles (1562), the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), and

6077-431: The Father. ... What begins as a rejection of works ends up as an attack, however unintentional, on the biblical message of saving grace. Kline, Michael Horton , and others have sought to uphold the distinction of two sorts of covenant traditions: one based on merit, earned by obedience to law (works), and the other on promise (grace). While the consensus in Calvinist theology is that works are antithetical to grace as

6180-518: The GKV's hermeneutics, as well as the GKV's more accepting views regarding women in office, common law couples, and homosexual members. The first Canadian Reformed congregation was instituted in Lethbridge , Alberta , on April 16, 1950. The same year, churches were instituted in Edmonton and Neerlandia , Alberta; Orangeville, Ontario ; and New Westminster, British Columbia . As of 2023, there are 70 congregations, which can be found in British Columbia , Alberta , Manitoba and Ontario , as well as in

6283-400: The Israelites that he is the one who brought them out of slavery in Egypt (grace). Moses Amyraut and few others proposed that the Mosaic Covenant is a third kind of substance, called the Subservient Covenant. As opposed to most covenant theologians, Moses Amyraut did not hold that the two substances are only the "Covenant of Grace" and the "Covenant of Works". The covenant of redemption is

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6386-522: The Mosaic Covenant with the Hittite Suzerainty Treaty formula. A suggested comparison of the treaty structure with the book of Deuteronomy is as follows: Kline has argued that comparisons between the suzerain-vassal treaties and royal grants of the Ancient Near East provide insight in highlighting certain distinctive features of the Mosaic covenant as a law covenant, in contrast with the other historic post-Fall covenants. Many who have embraced Kline's insights have still insisted, however, in accordance with

6489-408: The New Covenant. Huldrych Zwingli and Johannes Oecolampadius were among the first reformers to speak of God's salvation economy under the categories of a covenant of works and a covenant of grace. John Calvin ( Institutes 2:9–11), like Heinrich Bullinger ( A Brief Exposition of the One and Eternal Testament or Covenant of God ), focused on the continuity of the covenant of grace, but taught

6592-411: The New Testament (or Covenant). Detractors of covenant theology often refer to it as " supersessionism " or as "replacement theology" , due to the perception that it teaches that God has abandoned the promises made to the Jews and has replaced the Jews with Christians as His chosen people on the Earth. Covenant theologians deny that God has abandoned His promises to Israel, but see the fulfillment of

6695-474: The PRC, and the CRCNA's sympathy with the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands , which had expelled the GKV in 1944 over a disagreement regarding Abraham Kuyper 's view of the covenant . The Canadian Reformed Churches maintained ecumenical relations with the GKV until tension between the two churches led to an official termination of their relationship by the General Synod of the Canadian Reformed Churches in 2019. Reasons for this decision included disapproval of

6798-446: The Reformed faith. The Federation believes that a thorough theological education must be maintained by the churches and for the churches. As such, it operates three colleges; The Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary , located in Hamilton, Ontario . The Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers College , established in 1981 to train Christian teachers to serve in the field of education. The Canadian Reformed Teachers College Association

6901-461: The Remonstrant doctrines] was determined before the national synod met." On the other hand, beyond the condemnation of the Arminians, the theological formulations of the Canons of the Synod by no means gave support to all the Gomarists wanted. In fact, Johannes Bogerman , president of the synod, himself a Supralapsarian , argued for the inclusion of the Infralapsarian position in the Canons. The more extreme views of Dutch Calvinists were moderated in

7004-401: The Spanish, whereas the Dutch Calvinists were not, so Arminianism was considered by some to be not only theologically unsound but also political treason; in 1617–1618 there was a pamphlet war and Francis van Aarssens expressed the view that the Arminians were working for Philip IV of Spain . Planning for a National Synod was begun by Adriaan Pauw in March 1618. Before that, there had been

7107-447: The States or, the Dutch Authorized Version ) from the original languages that would be completed in 1637. Translators were appointed, and the States-General were asked to fund the project. It had a lasting impact on the standard Dutch language , which was just then beginning to gain wider acceptance and developing a literary tradition. It would remain the standard translation in Protestant churches for more than three centuries and still

7210-519: The Synod proceeded without them. He concluded by expressing his dissatisfaction with the organization of the assembly, and that the Contra-Remonstrants had prevented an accurate representation of the Arminian supporters in the Dutch Reformed Church with votes in the synod. A delegation of Episcopius consisting of Bernard Arentsz Dwinglo (1582–1652) and Johannes Arnoldi Corvinus called on the Church of England representatives, and others coming from outside, asking for support and giving written accounts of

7313-442: The aforesaid five points of doctrine is explained and, the false view disagreeing with God's Word is rejected. The thirteen Remonstrant ministers, including Episcopius, had been charged to remain in Dort until further instruction. On 20 May 1619 the Remonstrant ministers who had been present were summoned by the lay-commissioners of the synod and directed to abstain from ministerial activities such as preaching, exhorting, administering

7416-564: The apparent polarisation between Calvin and Olevianus on the one hand and Luther , Bullinger , and the Puritans on the other hand is a faulty reading of history. The Noahic covenant is found in Genesis 8:20–9:17 . Although redemption motifs are prominent as Noah and his family are delivered from the judgment waters, the narrative of the flood plays on the creation motifs of Genesis 1 as de-creation and re-creation. The formal terms of

7519-409: The confessions of the church as faithfully summarizing the doctrine of the Bible. Profession of faith also confirms their status as communicant members, subject to a process of church discipline, up to and including excommunication if they are considered delinquent in doctrine or lifestyle. This is ascertained by other members and by the elders through yearly home visits. CanRC was founded by members of

7622-509: The connection as a covenant, wherein the terms of the relationship are set down by God alone according to God's own will. The covenant of works ( Latin : foedus operum , also called the covenant of life) was made in the Garden of Eden between God and Adam who represented all humankind as a federal head ( Romans 5:12–21 ). God offered Adam a perfect and perpetual life if he did not violate God's single commandment, but warned that death would follow if he disobeyed that commandment. Adam broke

7725-476: The context. After that a month was spent on procedural matters concerning the Remonstrants. They were finally ejected from the Synod at session 57 on 14 January. Christianity • Protestantism The Synod concluded with a rejection of the Arminian views, and set forth the Reformed doctrine on each point, namely: total depravity , unconditional election , limited atonement (arguing that Christ's atoning work

7828-463: The covenant itself more reflect a reaffirmation of the universal created order, than a particular redemptive promise. The Abrahamic covenant is found in Genesis chapters 12, 15, and 17 . In contrast with the covenants made with Adam or Noah which were universal in scope, this covenant was with a particular people. Abraham is promised a seed and a land, although he would not see its fruition within his own lifetime. The Book of Hebrews explains that he

7931-779: The covenant of works and covenant of grace scheme along the lines of the law-gospel distinction. Classical statements of covenant theology can be found in the British Westminster Confession of Faith (particularly chap. 7, 8, 19), as well as in the writings of English theologians such as John Owen (1616–1683), Biblical Theology , and An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews . The classical statements among 17th century continental theologians include Johannes Cocceius (c. 1603–1669) in The Doctrine of

8034-410: The covenant, thus standing condemned as representative for all humankind. The term foedus operum was first used by Dudley Fenner in 1585, though Zacharias Ursinus had mentioned a covenant of creation in 1562. The concept of the covenant of works became commonly recognized in Reformed theology by 1590, though not by all; some members of the Westminster Assembly disagreed with the teaching in

8137-513: The covenant. The covenant was therefore also bilateral or dipleuric ( Latin : foedus dipleuron ). Scholars have challenged the notion in contemporary scholarship that Genevan Reformers taught a unilateral and unconditional covenant relationship whilst the Rhineland Reformers taught a bilateral contractual relationship. Mark Jones, Richard Muller , J. Mark Beach, and John Von Rohr have argued that Leonard Trinterud's identification of

8240-632: The cup of the Passover meal is "the New Covenant in [His] blood." This use of the Old Testament typology is developed further in the Epistle to the Hebrews ( esp. chs. 7–10 ). Jesus is the last Adam and Israel's hope and consolation: he is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets ( Matthew 5:17–18 ). He is the prophet greater than Jonah (Matthew 12:41 ), and the Son over the house where Moses

8343-745: The denomination, parents within the federation have organized a number of privately funded schools at the elementary and secondary levels across the country. In 2022, there were twenty-eight schools affiliated with the CanRC, including sixteen elementary schools, three high schools, and nine kindergarten-to-grade 12 schools. CanRC also runs five care homes, one in British Columbia and the rest in Ontario. Covenantal theology Christianity • Protestantism Covenant theology (also known as covenantalism , federal theology , or federalism )

8446-599: The detailed debates. The Synod had 27 members representing Reformed groups from continental Europe , as well as from the British Isles . Among these groups were also Anglican delegates from the Church of England and the Church of Scotland . Simon Episcopius (1583–1643) was spokesman of the 14 Remonstrants who were summoned before the Synod in 1618. At the opening of the synod, Episcopius asked to speak. Episcopius ... insisted on being permitted to begin with

8549-625: The eternal agreement within the Godhead in which the Father appointed the Son through the Spirit to become incarnate , suffer , and die as a federal head of mankind to make an atonement for their sin. In return, the Father promised to raise Christ from the dead , glorify Him, and give Him a people. Two of the earliest theologians to write about the covenant of redemption were Johannes Cocceius and John Owen , though Caspar Olevian had hinted at

8652-419: The framework of three overarching theological covenants: those of redemption, of works, and of grace. Covenentalists call these three covenants "theological" because, though not explicitly presented as such in the Bible, they are thought of as theologically implicit , describing and summarizing a wealth of scriptural data. Historical Reformed systems of thought treat classical covenant theology not merely as

8755-476: The gospel. These were done away with the coming of Christ, and replaced with the much simpler sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper. Reformed orthodox theologians taught that the covenant was primarily unilateral or monopleuric ( Latin : foedus monopleuron ) on the part of God, but also entailed conditions on the part of men. The conditions of the covenant of grace were spoken of as assumptive and confirmatory rather than duties required in order to receive

8858-529: The idea before them. This covenant is not mentioned in the Westminster Standards , but the idea of a contractual relationship between the Father and Son is present. Scriptural support for such a covenant may be found in Psalms 2 and 110, Isaiah 53, Philippians 2:5–11 and Revelation 5:9–10 . Some covenant theologians have denied the intra-Trinitarian covenant of redemption, or have questioned

8961-474: The idea of a covenant of works as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith 7.2 as a means to protect a gospel of grace. Kline wrote: If meritorious works could not be predicated of Jesus Christ as second Adam, then obviously there would be no meritorious achievement to be imputed to His people as the ground of their justification-approbation. The gospel invitation would turn out to be

9064-458: The law in fulfillment of the covenant of works. Jesus , earning the reward, graciously bestows it to His people ( cf. Luke 22:29 ). For example, R. C. Sproul writes, "Man's relationship to God in creation was based on works . What Adam failed to achieve, Christ, the second Adam, succeeded in achieving. Ultimately the only way one can be justified is by works ." The sinner is thus saved by Christ's works and not his own. Right standing before God

9167-623: The legalization of the order to desist from the ministry. When they refused to sign it, they were sentenced as "disturbers of the public peace" and ordered to leave the United Provinces. However, in the 18th century, Arminian theology spread to England where it became integral to the theology of the Methodist churches . The synod also initiated an official Dutch Bible translation (the Statenvertaling , i.e. Translation of

9270-405: The means of justification , differences emerge in attempts to describe this antithesis. On the one hand, Calvinist theologians were more in line with Kline tend to say that works are ultimately the basis for grace, since God requires perfect upholding of the law for heavenly reward. Since this is understood to be an impossible task for the corrupted sinner , it is Christ who perfectly obeyed

9373-462: The notion of the Son's works leading to the reward of gaining a people for God, or have challenged the covenantal nature of this arrangement. In Reformed theology, a sacrament is usually defined as a sign and seal of the covenant of grace. Since covenant theology today is mainly Reformed in its outlook, proponents view Baptism and the Lord's Supper as the only two sacraments in this sense, which are sometimes called "church ordinances." Along with

9476-400: The preached word, they are identified as an ordinary means of grace for salvation. The benefits of these rites do not occur from participating in the rite itself ( ex opere operato ), but through the power of the Holy Spirit as they are received by faith. Sometimes Reformed covenantal theologians define sacrament to include signs and seals of the covenant of works. The Garden of Eden ,

9579-488: The precondition for it. For example, Michael Williams writes, "The function of law within Scripture is the maintenance of relationship, not the creation of relationship. Legal obligation is not the precondition for life and relationship. Rather, life and relationship form the necessary environment for obligation." While this view still affirms the necessity of the merit of Christ, it departs from Kline's construal of merit as

9682-500: The promises to Israel in the person and the work of the Messiah , Jesus of Nazareth , who established the church in organic continuity with Israel , not as a separate replacement entity. Many covenant theologians have also seen a distinct future promise of gracious restoration for unregenerate Israel . God's covenantal relationship with God's creation is not made automatically or out of necessity. Rather, God chooses to establish

9785-489: The prophets of the exile , there is hope of restoration under a Davidic king who will bring peace and justice ( cf . Book of Ezekiel 37:24–28 ). The New Covenant is anticipated with the hopes of the Davidic messiah , and most explicitly predicted by the prophet Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 31:31 – 33 ). At the Last Supper , Jesus alludes to this prophecy, as well as to prophecies such as Isaiah 49:8 , when he says that

9888-520: The sacraments, and visiting the sick. Furthermore, Episcopius was commanded not to write letters or books promoting the doctrines of the Remonstrants. The Remonstrants agreed to refrain from ministering in the government-ordained churches, but confessed their duty to expound their doctrines wherever people would assemble to hear them. On 5 July they were called to the States-General assembly where they were requested to sign The Act of Cessation ,

9991-735: The sacrificial system, it points to the Gospel of salvation through a mediator. Some commentators, like John Gill , see in the passage that begins in Deuteronomy 29:1 a distinct and gracious covenant, involving circumcision of the heart, which foresees the embrace of the Gentiles and which is looked back upon as distinct from the Mosaic Covenant by the Apostle Paul in Romans 10:6–8 . Other commentators, such as Douglas Van Dorn, recognize

10094-399: The statesman Johan van Oldenbarnevelt who had been the protector of the Remonstrants. For the crime of general perturbation in the state of the nation, both in Church and State (treason), he was beheaded on 13 May 1619, only four days after the final meeting of the Synod. As consequence of the Arminian defeat, the jurist Hugo Grotius was given a life sentence in prison; but he escaped with

10197-782: The substance of what became classic covenant theology in terms of Law and Gospel. Early post-reformation writings, including Zacharius Ursinus (1534–1583) in Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism (published posthumously, 1591), Caspar Olevianus (1536–1587) in Concerning the Substance of the Covenant of Grace between God and the Elect ( De substantia foederis gratuiti inter deum et electos , 1585), and Scottish Theologian Robert Rollock (1555–1599) in A Treatise of our Effectual Calling ( Tractatus de vocatione efficaci , 1597), developed

10300-528: Was a servant (Hebrews 3:5–6 ), leading His people to the heavenly promised land. He is the high priest greater than Aaron , offering up Himself as the perfect sacrifice once for all (Hebrews 9:12 , 26 ). He is the king greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42 ), ruling forever on David's throne ( Luke 1:32 ). The term " New Testament " comes from the Latin translation of the Greek New Covenant and

10403-481: Was designed by John Wesley , the founder of Methodism . Meredith G. Kline did pioneering work in the field of Biblical studies , in the 1960s and 1970s, building on prior work by George E. Mendenhall , by identifying the form of the covenant with the common Suzerain – Vassal treaties of the Ancient Near East in the 2nd millennium BC. One of the highlights of his work has been the comparison of

10506-540: Was intended only for the elect and not for the rest of the world), irresistible (or irrevocable) grace , and the perseverance of the saints . These are sometimes referred to as the Five points of Calvinism . The nomenclature did not imply that all of Calvinism could be reduced to a mere five points, but that TULIP—the acronym that was later developed for the teachings of Dort in the English-speaking world—summarized

10609-460: Was looking to a better and heavenly land, a city with foundations, whose builder and architect is God ( 11:8–16 ). The Apostle Paul writes that the promised seed refers in particular to Christ ( Galatians 3:16 ). The Abrahamic covenant is: The Mosaic covenant, found in Exodus 19–24 and the book of Deuteronomy , expands on the Abrahamic promise of a people and a land. Repeatedly mentioned

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