What About the New Covenant?

by D. Thomas Lancaster

Does the new covenant really replace the old covenant? Christian replacement theology is solidly based on a misunderstanding of the meaning of the new covenant. The church teaches that the new covenant cancels the Torah and God's covenant with the Jewish people.

Messianic Judaism teaches that Yeshua did not abolish the Torah, but if that's true, what about the new covenant? Does the new covenant of grace and faith replace the old covenant of works and law? In five engaging lectures, Torah Club author D. Thomas Lancaster digs into the Bible's prophecies to dispel the common myths and misunderstandings about the new covenant.

82 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2015

About the author

D. Thomas Lancaster is Director of Education at First Fruits of Zion, editor of Messiah Magazine, and author of the Torah Club commentaries and several books and study programs. He is also the pastor of Beth Immanuel Messianic Synagogue in Hudson, WI.

Reviews

[Tre Brickley · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Chapter 1, Lancaster introduces the biblical concept of "covenant" and summarizes several important covenants in the Bible, relating them briefly to the new covenant mentioned in Jeremiah 31. In Chapter 2, he relates 'the new covenant' to 'the New Testament,' contending that they are not the same: one is an actual *covenant*, and the other is a collection of sacred writings which relates importantly to the new covenant, but does not equate to it. In Chapter 3, he treats the issue of 'the inner Torah' as opposed to 'the external Torah,' suggesting that this dichotomy explains Paul's infamous 'spirit versus letter' dichotomy in Romans and 2 Corinthians. Further, he equates the mystical Jewish concept of 'the Torah of Messiah' (or 'the supernal Torah') with this 'inner Torah,' opposing it with 'the Torah of Moses.' He also goes on a brief detour into Romans 7-8 to connect some dots within this framework. In Chapter 4, he uses Hebrews 8's mention of "better promises" as a launching pad to survey some of the actual promises of the new covenant mentioned in Jeremiah, briefly treating the question of Gentile inclusion as discussed in the New Testament. In Chapter 5, he treats 2 Corinthians 2-3, providing some historical context for the concept of "letters of recommendation," and arguing that the material so far - particularly the concept of 'the Torah of Messiah' - explains what is going on there.

This seems to be Lancaster's primary thesis in the book:

"The new covenant is not the same thing as the New Testament. The new covenant is not just another way of saying Christianity. The new covenant has not yet arrived in its fullness. The new covenant is a new agreement for the Messianic Era...The new covenant is a covenant for the future eschaton, and that has not happened yet." - pp.51-52

I substantially agree, so long as "Messiah has initiated the new covenant" is also affirmed and articulated well, and this is something Lancaster does say in the book.

There are, unfortunately, some wrong exegetical and theological moves, particularly regarding the nature of the old and new covenants, how they relate, how the Apostles handled the question of Gentile inclusion in what Paul calls "the covenants (plural) of promise," and other matters. But I won't take more space in this review to deal with all of that.

[Michael Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't recommend this book enough! Excellent read & so short it can be read in a day.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

First few chapters were the strongest in the book. It's one I wish I could set to re-read each year. It helps set a framework to understand the rest of the Bible. Covenants are foundational to the Bible. If you don't understand the covenants of the OT then you are misunderstanding the Bible.