O Pacto de Obras: Suas Bases Confessionais e Bíblicas

Recovering our confessional heritage #3

by Richard C. Barcellos

O entendimento correto do estado de Adão no jardim é fundamental para uma doutrina da salvação coerente, sendo esse o porquê da importância deste pequeno livro sobre o Pacto de Obras. Richard Barcellos explora as riquezas da teologia batista reformada e explica o Pacto de Obras com fidelidade exegética e clareza teológica. Este livro é, definitivamente, para todos que desejam obter um maior discernimento quanto ao Pacto de Obras e quanto à teologia confessional batista reformada.
J. V. Fesko, Ph. D.
Deão Acadêmico
Professor de Teologia Sistemática e Teologia Histórica
Westminster Seminary California

Nenhum documento demonstra mais amplamente a clara linha de continuidade entre o pensamento batista reformado, nosso credo cristão e a herança confessional reformada do que a Confissão de Fé Batista de 1677/1689. E nessa confissão vemos o ensino bíblico acerca do Pacto de Obras clara e persuasivamente representado. Foi ao quebrar esse pacto que Adão se tornou um “quebrador de pacto”, e trouxe sobre nós a maldição desse pacto (morte espiritual, física e eterna). Ao cumprir aquele Pacto, o segundo e último Adão, nosso Senhor Jesus se tornou o “cumpridor do pacto” em nosso lugar, e nos trouxe a bênção do pacto, a vida eterna. Recomendo o trabalho excepcionalmente refinado representado por esse livro.
Dr. Liam Goligher
Ministro Sênior, Décima Igreja Presbiteriana
Philadelphia, PA

Genres: Theology

98 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2019

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little treatment of an important theological issue. Consistent hermeneutics that allow scripture to interpret itself and that allow later revelation to make explicit what is implicit in earlier revelation will show what the Reformed confessions have expounded for centuries: that Adam was indeed in a covenantal relationship with God. This isn't some tertiary issue, but rather has to do with the nature of Christ's vocation and man's salvation. The glory that Christ entered into after his resurrection, the glory that is the hope of the Christian, and the glory that is found only in Christ - this is the glory that Adam (and all men in him) fell short of. A robust covenantal theology will deepen ones appreciation of the work of Christ.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book to read. I learned a lot and I highly recommend it.

[Josh Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good little book. It's short, coming in at one-hundred and nineteen pages all together including the "Further Reading" section, but don't be fooled this small book is packed full of solid work. I was able to read it in a day, and was very edified by doing so.

Barcellos begins in the first chapter by laying a foundation by discussing the hermeneutics of the Particular Baptist and how they were hermeneutics drawn from Scripture rather than being imposed upon it (This comes to play in Chapter 4 when he gives Biblical arguments for the Covenant of Works). I found this chapter to be extremely helpful in regards to exegesis. This chapter also lays a nice foundation for pastors and exegetes. Barcellos nicely lays out that the Holy Spirit is the best interpreter of Scripture, and goes on to establish the biblical basis for utilizing the Analogy of Scripture, Analogy of Faith, and the Scope of Scripture as primary hermeneutics. Barcellos also strongly demonstrates that the affirmation of these hermeneutics ought to lead us to seeing and using the Bible as the primary tool for the task of exegesis rather than utilizing other tools as a primary means.

In the second chapter, Barcellos gives a Confessional defense of the Covenant of Works and demonstrates thoroughly that the Particular Baptists held to the same articulation of the Covenant, even though article 7.1 from the Savoy and Westminster didn't make its way into the Second London Baptists seventh chapter. He goes on to ably prove that the teaching of the Covenant of Works is found and taught in various places in the 1689.

In the third chapter, Barcellos spends time addressing common arguments used against the Covenant of Works. Barcellos ably dismantles the word-concept fallacy constantly used to justify denying the Covenant of Works.

In the fourth and last chapter, Barcellos gives a Biblical defense for the Covenant of Works. This was the pièce de résistance of the book. Barcellos of course lays out a convincing argument from Hosea 6:7, but he also goes to other places in Scripture to establish this doctrine as well. He also points out that the use of Yahweh in Genesis is God's Covenantal name that is only used and revealed to God's Covenant people. This is an important argument to consider. The divine Covenant name was revealed and given to Adam, which strongly points to the reality of a covenant being in place. I don't want to give away the rest of the arguments from the chapter. Readers of this review can buy and read the book.

I highly recommend this book, especially to those looking for a short readable work on the topic of the Covenant of Works. I gave it 5 stars because of the solid content present and because it was an easy read. If someone ever asked me for a book on the Covenant of Works that's not overwhelming, this will be the book I will point them to. This book will whet your appetite for Barcellos' much anticipated "Getting The Garden Wrong" that should be coming out at some point in the future.

[Timothy Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but wonderful treatment on a vital doctrine. Enjoyed it even more the 2nd time!

[Mark Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a helpful look at the formation of the Second London Baptist Confession and particularly how the divines understood the “covenant of works.” I found the references to Nehemiah Coxe fascinating.

The book argues for a positive covenant of works after the creation of man in the beginning. The opening of the book seeks to show how a solid hermeneutical foundation based on the analogy of Scripture and the analogy of faith will lead to correct hermeneutical approaches to affirm the covenant of works, however the author does not use those excellent hermeneutical principles in defending his case against other competing views which use the same principles. Hosea 6:7 for instance is used in this book to affirm that “like Adam” Israel broke the covenant. However a close inspection of Hosea 6 indicates the repeated use of names of places (“Shechem”, “Gilead” etc.) in the context there indicates that “Adam” is a reference to a location in the late history of Israel and not a reference to the first man. There are strong objections to the so-called covenant of works and this book has not given compelling answers to the objections raised (like the Hosea objection above and others) to the view that there was a clear, formal covenant “cut” in the garden. Barcellos suggests that a positive covenant of works is a central, theological foundation for understanding the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ but what is lost in the other view is never explained or warned against. One can still affirm Adam as the head of all humanity, Christ as the second Adam, and the accomplishment of Christ where Adam fell, without affirming a formal covenant in the garden given positively in addition to creational realities that already existed between God and man. Certainly those creational realities have a relational or covenantal nature based on the law of God imprinted on the heart of man. Furthermore, the examination of the 2LBCF and its use of “covenant of works” language left much to be desired. Many times “covenant of works” language was used with respect to the Mosaic Law/Covenant (particularly in section 19 of the 2LBCF) yet Barcellos made a quick jump to the so-called covenant with Adam.

In conclusion, I appreciated this book and it gave a good and succinct treatment of how the historic understanding of the covenant of works can be seen in Baptist history. Unfortunately, the exegetical and scriptural case was not compelling and didn’t interact nearly enough with significant objections.

[Pat Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

“These scriptural realities, understood by utilization of the hermeneutical principles of the Holy Spirit as the only infallible interpreter of Holy Scripture, analogia Scriptura, analogia fidei, and scopus Scripturae, led to the confessional formulation of the doctrine of the covenant of works.” This quote from author, Richard Barcellos, sums up the main thesis of the book in a sentence.

I have very much enjoyed the first three books in the “Recovering our Confessional Heritage” series, and am looking forward to the last two. I would recommend this series to all Confessional Baptists.

Take up and read!!

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be improved by being lengthened in that it deals with only one objection to the doctrine of the Covenant of Works. This, I think, hinders its usefulness which is a pity as it's a good book.

[JT Stead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in 2 days. If you ask most evangelicals wha the covenant of works is, you will hear crickets. This should not be the case, this is a core doctrine to understanding scripture and the relationship of the law and the gospel. Read it and was convinced of this core, ancient, biblical doctrine.

[Austin Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Short and punchy, this book defends the covenant of works from Scripture, proves its presence in the 2LCF. An great introduction to the covenant of works.

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to the Covenant of Works, assuring 1689 Federalist RBs of their historical and biblical continuity with the Westminster Standards on the CoW. Quick read and convincing.

[Michael Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro to covenant of works. Written in style easy to read. Echoes the Second London Confession.

[Salvador Blanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renihan/Barcellos form the tightest and most concise argument for the covenant of works as expressed in the 2LCF, WCF, and SD. Thoroughly biblical and historically accurate. Great citations. I look forward to reading the rest of this series and much more from Renihan/Barcellos.

[Raúl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente libro

Excelente libro para comprender de mejor manera la doctrina del pacto de obras. Muy recomendado para los que necesitan adentrarse en tan fundamental enseñanza.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a necessary volume. So many times as a Reformed Baptist I hear the attack that Baptists do not believe in covenant theology. in reality, we do. This short booklet on the covenant of works is written from a reformed baptist confession. There are plenty of references to the 2nd London Baptist Confession, but I particularly enjoyed it because of the Old Testament references (esp Hosea). So many times works on Covenant theology are restricted to Paul's writings (especially Romans) and Hebrews. If there are OT references, then it is the same ones over and over. Here there were some untapped resources used. I do wish it had gone a little further in depth, but at barely over a hundred pages, it would have made it an unbalanced part of the booklet trilogy.