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But I Say Unto You
Our Lord used the phrase, But I say unto you, six times in the Sermon on the Mount. The meaning of this phrase as he used it in Matthew 5 is the subject of disagreement among many sincere Christians. Evangelical theologians generally adopt one of two possible One, Christ is contrasting his teaching with Moses’ teaching; or two, Christ is giving the true meaning of Moses and contrasting that with the distortions of Moses by the Pharisees. Which of these positions is correct? The answer we accept directly affects our entire system of theology. This is no ivory tower debate among academics far removed from the life of the church and individual Christians. Its crucial point addresses the identity and content of the final authority over the Christian’s conscience in matters of morality. The thesis of this book is one of the foundation stones of a theological position called New Covenant Theology. We believe that our Lord is more than a scribe or rabbi who merely interprets Moses; he is a true prophet. He is “that Prophet,” promised as the new lawgiver who would replace Moses (Deut. 18:15-19). In the Sermon on the Mount, the new lawgiver contrasts his teaching, based on the gracious covenant he established, with the teaching of Moses, based on a covenant of law. As believers living under the New Covenant, we must look to Jesus Christ as the final revelation of God’s character and will, and allow him alone to set the standards that mark the life of the people of God. We must take seriously the Father’s message, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him” (Mark 9:7).
- GenresTheology
175 pages, Paperback
First published December 28, 2012
17 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
John G. Reisinger
30 books9 followersJohn G. Reisinger is an evangelist, theologian, conference speaker, former pastor and writer. New Covenant Theology and Prophecy is his 23rd book. John is well-known for having a unique talent to make profound and deep truths simple and understandable.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 24, 2019
John Reisinger believes that we have misunderstood how to interpret what Old Testament law means for Christians. He believes that to understand how to interpret that law, we have to understand Jesus as the “final and full lawgiver.”
Jesus not only gives a new law, but he also can and will “empower the fulfillment of those demands.” He doesn’t give us a toy without batteries, he gives us the batteries for the new toy: the Holy Spirit.
Where this gets controversial is that Reisinger puts forth that Jesus doesn’t merely raise Moses’s teaching to a new level, at times he contrasts his teaching with Moses, even going so far as nullifying Moses’s law.
Reisinger laws out the various views of interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount. He gives an overview on these perspectives: the social gospel; the liberal view; the historic dispensational view; and classical covenant view. As a reformed thinker, it is that final view, the covenant view, that Reisinger spends most of his time interacting with. Reisinger proposes the new covenant view. He summarizes his view this way, “Jesus asserts his unique and final authority as the new lawgiver by giving a new and higher canon of conduct to the church.” He summarizes the weaknesses of the two predominant evangelical views this way, “It seems to us that Dispensationalism cannot let Moses into the New Testament in any sense, and Covenant Theology cannot get Moses out of the New Testament in any sense.” The New Covenant view, according to Reisinger, accounts for Jesus’ strong words of challenge and correction to the Old Covenant, which give us a “better covenant” based on “better promises.”
Reisinger then spends his time walking through the Sermon on the Mount. He devotes chapters to adultery and lust, justice and punishment versus pity and mercy, holy hate for the glory of God, and laws for sinners and laws for saints.
Overall, I believe Reisinger is successful in defending his thesis. I am persuaded that his interpretive scheme is the best I’ve encountered in interpreting Christ’s relationship with the Old Testament law. Reisinger’s new covenant system cuts through the flaws of the typical way of breaking down the law as moral, civil, and ceremonial and holding onto the moral while considering the other parts outmoded. Where Reisinger falls short is both in style and focus. The book is likely a reformatted version of Reisinger’s dissertation. As such, it isn’t as accessible as it could be. Furthermore, Reisinger’s main dialogue partners is the covenant community, which makes the book feel very much like a niche book for Reformed scholars. I would have loved for the book to be broadened in focus and scope.
For more reviews see www.thebeehive.live.
Jesus not only gives a new law, but he also can and will “empower the fulfillment of those demands.” He doesn’t give us a toy without batteries, he gives us the batteries for the new toy: the Holy Spirit.
Where this gets controversial is that Reisinger puts forth that Jesus doesn’t merely raise Moses’s teaching to a new level, at times he contrasts his teaching with Moses, even going so far as nullifying Moses’s law.
Reisinger laws out the various views of interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount. He gives an overview on these perspectives: the social gospel; the liberal view; the historic dispensational view; and classical covenant view. As a reformed thinker, it is that final view, the covenant view, that Reisinger spends most of his time interacting with. Reisinger proposes the new covenant view. He summarizes his view this way, “Jesus asserts his unique and final authority as the new lawgiver by giving a new and higher canon of conduct to the church.” He summarizes the weaknesses of the two predominant evangelical views this way, “It seems to us that Dispensationalism cannot let Moses into the New Testament in any sense, and Covenant Theology cannot get Moses out of the New Testament in any sense.” The New Covenant view, according to Reisinger, accounts for Jesus’ strong words of challenge and correction to the Old Covenant, which give us a “better covenant” based on “better promises.”
Reisinger then spends his time walking through the Sermon on the Mount. He devotes chapters to adultery and lust, justice and punishment versus pity and mercy, holy hate for the glory of God, and laws for sinners and laws for saints.
Overall, I believe Reisinger is successful in defending his thesis. I am persuaded that his interpretive scheme is the best I’ve encountered in interpreting Christ’s relationship with the Old Testament law. Reisinger’s new covenant system cuts through the flaws of the typical way of breaking down the law as moral, civil, and ceremonial and holding onto the moral while considering the other parts outmoded. Where Reisinger falls short is both in style and focus. The book is likely a reformatted version of Reisinger’s dissertation. As such, it isn’t as accessible as it could be. Furthermore, Reisinger’s main dialogue partners is the covenant community, which makes the book feel very much like a niche book for Reformed scholars. I would have loved for the book to be broadened in focus and scope.
For more reviews see www.thebeehive.live.
February 20, 2024
Excellent treatment of Sermon on the Mount
John Reisinger is clear, easy to follow and doesn't get bogged down in theological weeds, but he lays bare the central issue and pounds it relentlessly. I finished feeling almost sorry for the Covenant Theology folks that try to defend the position that Christ was merely interpreting Moses, and not giving new laws for a new covenant and new Kingdom.
John Reisinger is clear, easy to follow and doesn't get bogged down in theological weeds, but he lays bare the central issue and pounds it relentlessly. I finished feeling almost sorry for the Covenant Theology folks that try to defend the position that Christ was merely interpreting Moses, and not giving new laws for a new covenant and new Kingdom.
September 10, 2019
Very helpful.
January 19, 2017
Jesus is the new Lawgiver
I have been swiftly moving from my dispensational theological training toward New Covenant Theology. This work has helped to broaden my understanding of the position. An examination of a few passages from the Sermon on the Mount demonstrates that Jesus was not just reiterating the true meaning of the Mosaic law, but changing it with application for believers under the New Covenant. This work primarily contrasts Covenant Theology with NCT and briefly contrast Dispensationalism. This makes sense since Dispensationalism would technically view the SOTM as something for a future kingdom age.
This work is thorough, and the position is well defended. This is a good work for anyone seeking to better understand the "system" and implications of New Covenant Theology.
I have been swiftly moving from my dispensational theological training toward New Covenant Theology. This work has helped to broaden my understanding of the position. An examination of a few passages from the Sermon on the Mount demonstrates that Jesus was not just reiterating the true meaning of the Mosaic law, but changing it with application for believers under the New Covenant. This work primarily contrasts Covenant Theology with NCT and briefly contrast Dispensationalism. This makes sense since Dispensationalism would technically view the SOTM as something for a future kingdom age.
This work is thorough, and the position is well defended. This is a good work for anyone seeking to better understand the "system" and implications of New Covenant Theology.
February 2, 2017
This was a very helpful look at the Sermon on the Mount. The editing was not very good, as repetition was completely over the top. However, the biblical approach was evident from page one, and for anyone struggling with weather Jesus' commands in the Sermon were merely interpretations of Moses, or new commands based on His own authority, will receive great clarity here.
June 5, 2014
John dealt well with the Sermon on the Mount and its implications for today. He particularly handles how both Covenant Theology and Classic Dispensationalism fall short in their interpretations of Jesus' commands given in the Sermon on the amount.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews