An AI summary, comparison and contrast of:
New Covenant Theology (NCT)
Covenant Theology (CT)
Dispensational Theology (DT)
1. Key Features of Each Theology
New Covenant Theology (NCT)
Central Focus: Christ as the fulfillment of all biblical covenants.
Covenants: Emphasizes discontinuity between the Old and New Covenants. The New Covenant supersedes the Old Covenant, and the Mosaic Law no longer directly applies to Christians.
Law: The "law of Christ" (love and commands given by Christ) replaces the Mosaic Law.
Hermeneutics: Christ-centered interpretation of Scripture. The New Testament clarifies and fulfills the Old Testament.
Israel and the Church: The Church is the continuation of God's people, including Jews and Gentiles under the New Covenant.
Covenant Theology (CT)
Central Focus: The unity of God's plan through the framework of the Covenant of Works, Covenant of Grace, and sometimes Covenant of Redemption.
Covenants: Strong continuity between the Old and New Covenants; the covenants are seen as different administrations of the same Covenant of Grace.
Law: The moral law (summarized in the Ten Commandments) continues to apply to Christians. Ceremonial and civil laws are fulfilled in Christ and are no longer binding.
Hermeneutics: Redemptive-historical approach; emphasizes the unity of Scripture.
Israel and the Church: The Church is the spiritual continuation of Israel, with a strong emphasis on covenantal promises applying to all believers.
Dispensational Theology (DT)
Central Focus: Distinction between Israel and the Church as two separate peoples of God with distinct roles and futures.
Covenants: God works through distinct "dispensations" or periods in history, each with specific divine expectations and promises.
Law: The Mosaic Law applied to Israel and does not govern the Church, though moral principles may carry forward.
Hermeneutics: Literal interpretation of Scripture, especially regarding prophecy and eschatology.
Israel and the Church: Maintains a strong distinction; God's promises to Israel will be fulfilled literally in the future (e.g., land promises, millennial reign).
2. Points of Comparison
Aspect
New Covenant Theology
Covenant Theology
Dispensational Theology
View of Covenants
Old Covenant is obsolete; New Covenant is central.
Emphasizes unity under Covenant of Grace.
Views history as divided into dispensations.
Role of the Law
Mosaic Law fulfilled in Christ, replaced by the law of Christ.
Moral law (Ten Commandments) still binding.
Mosaic Law applies to Israel, not the Church.
Continuity/Discontinuity
Balance between continuity and discontinuity.
Strong continuity.
Strong discontinuity.
Israel and the Church
Church fulfills God's promises to Israel.
Church is the continuation of Israel.
Israel and Church remain distinct.
Hermeneutics
Christ-centered, New Testament clarifies Old.
Redemptive-historical approach.
Literal interpretation, especially in prophecy.
3. Points of Contrast
Relationship to the Mosaic Law:
CT views the moral law (e.g., the Ten Commandments) as still binding.
Whereas NCT sees it as fulfilled and replaced by the law of Christ.
DT views the Mosaic Law as relevant only to Israel and not binding on the Church.
View of Israel and the Church:
CT and NCT see the Church as the continuation of Israel, though NCT emphasizes the New Covenant context.
DT keeps Israel and the Church as distinct entities with different promises and roles.
Approach to Scripture:
CT emphasizes a unified covenantal structure throughout Scripture.
NCT highlights the New Covenant's centrality and fulfillment of previous covenants.
DT applies a literal approach, especially to eschatological passages.
4. Commonalities
All three affirm the centrality of Christ and the authority of Scripture.
Each seeks to explain God's plan of redemption across history.
All agree that salvation is through grace by faith, though they may differ on the application of the law and covenants.