What do you think?
Rate this book
The Eternal Covenant: How the Trinity Reshapes Covenant Theology
In this book Ralph Smith delves deeper into the discussion at the intersection of covenant and trinitarian theology that he began with Paradox and Truth . Though many Reformed theologians have recognized an agreement between the Father and the Son for the salvation of the human race, few have explored the vast theological possibilities of an eternal covenant that involves all three persons of the Trinity.
Instead, covenantal soteriology has focused on the so-called covenant of works between God and Adam, which turns out to be problematic both biblically and theologically. Smith places the eternal covenant in the position it deserves—the keystone of biblical and systematic theology—with profound consequences for the Christian worldview.
Instead, covenantal soteriology has focused on the so-called covenant of works between God and Adam, which turns out to be problematic both biblically and theologically. Smith places the eternal covenant in the position it deserves—the keystone of biblical and systematic theology—with profound consequences for the Christian worldview.
- GenresTheology
102 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2003
1 person is currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Ralph Allan Smith
10 books10 followersRalph Allan Smith (M.Div. Grace Theological Seminary, 1978). Pastor of Mitaka Evangelical Church since 1981; Director of Covenant Worldview Institute since 1988. Ralph and Sylvia married in 1976 and have been serving the Lord in Tokyo, Japan, since 1981.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 27, 2012
This book is really great. I love the brevity especially, only 100 pages, but packed with insights on trinitarian theology and how it applies to the way we live and worship.
The beginning of the book drags a little. It's a historical survey of theologians who teach that there is a covenantal union between the persons of the Godhead. He points out that there are really only very few theologians who don't see the inter-trinitarian relationship as covenantal in some respects. The two most prominent theologians who argue against it are O. Palmer Robertson and John Murray. Among Reformed Christians, those two men have considerable influence, and so if you do take Smith's position it seems out of line at first. So in that regard the historical survey is helpful, even if a little dry.
The rest of the book is much more exciting, and it gets better as you go along so by the end I was sad it was over! Here are some things I found helpfully clarifying in the book:
1. He makes a distinction between ontology and covenant.
This is helpful because we describe BOTH the inter-trinitarian relationship as a covenant AND God's relationship with man as a covenant. That relationship in God is called "the ontological trinity". My trouble with this was always wondering how to avoid deifying man in that scheme. Smith gives good insights on that.
2. He has great arguments for showing how merit was not part of the Adamic covenant, or the so-called "covenant of works".
The best part here was how he points out that the tabernacle/temple is a model of the garden. Adam didn't have to DO anything to get into the garden like the levitical priests did to get into the holiest place. Adam was simply there. He was made to be there, and hence automatically in covenant by virtue of being God's image-bearer. I never thought of that.
3. The so-called "covenant of works" has traditionally been seen as the paradigmatic covenant, and Smith points out the problems such a conception introduces that can be avoided if priority is given to the trinitarian covenant, or "the covenant of love" as he calls it.
4. His sections on worship and eschatology are tremendously exciting for Reformed theology in general. I so wish we could all get on board with these ideas. Man, we'd see a revolution (in a good way).
I confess it made me a little uncomfortable when he wrote that the WCF needs revision. I don't disagree, but it will take a lot of work to convince the Reformed community to work on such a massive project. This ought to be a matter of prayer and friendly conversations with those who need to be won over to these ideas.
Overall, great book. It's what I needed.
The beginning of the book drags a little. It's a historical survey of theologians who teach that there is a covenantal union between the persons of the Godhead. He points out that there are really only very few theologians who don't see the inter-trinitarian relationship as covenantal in some respects. The two most prominent theologians who argue against it are O. Palmer Robertson and John Murray. Among Reformed Christians, those two men have considerable influence, and so if you do take Smith's position it seems out of line at first. So in that regard the historical survey is helpful, even if a little dry.
The rest of the book is much more exciting, and it gets better as you go along so by the end I was sad it was over! Here are some things I found helpfully clarifying in the book:
1. He makes a distinction between ontology and covenant.
This is helpful because we describe BOTH the inter-trinitarian relationship as a covenant AND God's relationship with man as a covenant. That relationship in God is called "the ontological trinity". My trouble with this was always wondering how to avoid deifying man in that scheme. Smith gives good insights on that.
2. He has great arguments for showing how merit was not part of the Adamic covenant, or the so-called "covenant of works".
The best part here was how he points out that the tabernacle/temple is a model of the garden. Adam didn't have to DO anything to get into the garden like the levitical priests did to get into the holiest place. Adam was simply there. He was made to be there, and hence automatically in covenant by virtue of being God's image-bearer. I never thought of that.
3. The so-called "covenant of works" has traditionally been seen as the paradigmatic covenant, and Smith points out the problems such a conception introduces that can be avoided if priority is given to the trinitarian covenant, or "the covenant of love" as he calls it.
4. His sections on worship and eschatology are tremendously exciting for Reformed theology in general. I so wish we could all get on board with these ideas. Man, we'd see a revolution (in a good way).
I confess it made me a little uncomfortable when he wrote that the WCF needs revision. I don't disagree, but it will take a lot of work to convince the Reformed community to work on such a massive project. This ought to be a matter of prayer and friendly conversations with those who need to be won over to these ideas.
Overall, great book. It's what I needed.
March 12, 2015
After reading this, I still come away thinking that Ralph Smith's trinitarianism is muddled at best. The fact that he doesnt' want his "eternal covenant" to be grounded on the ontological trinity, because then the covenant wouldn't be a "free choice" makes this notion nothing more than a social trinitarianism.
However his discussion on the the fact that created man is in covenant with God and implications of that to the covenant of works was good.
However his discussion on the the fact that created man is in covenant with God and implications of that to the covenant of works was good.
June 19, 2009
Magnificent. Omnino sensum facit.
August 15, 2009
Nice personalizing of covenant theology according to the eternal covenant of redemption, not the covenant of works with Adam.
September 6, 2012
Really good brief discussion of covenant, Trinity and covenant of works.
October 17, 2012
Great little book. So much to unpack. The foundational covenant is the eternal covenant of the Godhead.
December 23, 2009
Thought-provoking.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews