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In Defense of the Decalogue : A Critique of New Covenant Theology
New Covenant Theology (NCT) is a movement that seeks to steer a middle road between Covenant Theology and Dispensational Theology. The end product, among other things, is the denial of the perpetuity of the Ten Commandments for Christians. This book, In Defense of the Decalogue, seeks to both critique the major tenets of NCT and support the perpetuity of the Decalogue under the New Covenant from an exegetical basis. It argues that NCT goes astray at the point of exegesis. It also argues that NCT has misread historical theology in some crucial areas. The book ends with pertinent challenges to NCT. If you are interested in the issues related to continuity and discontinuity between the testaments, the relationship between the various biblical covenants, and the function of the Ten Commandments in redemptive history, then this book is for you.
- GenresTheologyBiblical Studies
120 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 26, 2015
If you’re at all interested in the debate over New Covenant Theology (NCT), this book is a much needed and much appreciated contribution to the discussion.
Richard Barcellos takes the main tenants of NCT to task with great exegetical skill and logical rigor. He shows with basic hermeneutics that the “law” spoken of in the prophesied New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34) could only mean the law the Jews were already familiar with at the time of Jeremiah - namely the Mosaic Law (and specifically the Decalogue). Barcellos also shows a great number of internal inconsistencies with the NCT position as presently held. In the process of all this he gives a very good defense of the abiding moral validity of the Decalogue.
Whether you agree or not and whether you are an NCTer or not, this book is a must-read if you’re at all interested in the debate, and it brings much needed Biblical perspective to the table.
Richard Barcellos takes the main tenants of NCT to task with great exegetical skill and logical rigor. He shows with basic hermeneutics that the “law” spoken of in the prophesied New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34) could only mean the law the Jews were already familiar with at the time of Jeremiah - namely the Mosaic Law (and specifically the Decalogue). Barcellos also shows a great number of internal inconsistencies with the NCT position as presently held. In the process of all this he gives a very good defense of the abiding moral validity of the Decalogue.
Whether you agree or not and whether you are an NCTer or not, this book is a must-read if you’re at all interested in the debate, and it brings much needed Biblical perspective to the table.
February 21, 2015
Dr. Barcellos concludes his book with the following, "It is hoped that this critique will assist all interested Christians to wrestle with the difficult issues of continuity and discontinuity between the Testaments, to understand the function of the Ten commandments in the history of redemption, and to arrive at a biblically consistent position. May the Lord so bless the endeavor" (pg. 111-112)
I believe that the author did achieve the goal set out and provided a useful overview of NCT and response to their key tenets as well as a biblical exposition and defense of what the Bible teaches concerning the moral perpetuity of the Decalogue. I appreciated the detailed exegesis of passages such as 2 Corinthians 3:3, 1 Timothy 1:8-11, and Matthew 5:17-20, among other passages addressed, and the historical theology in the last chapter addressing Calvin and John Bunyan's views on the Sabbath. Dr. Barcellos addresses the hermeneutical presuppositions of NCT in an easy to follow manner, while there are nuances among different proponents of NCT and there has been development in NCT since this book was written in 2001, it still helped me to better understand some of the common tenets of NCT and the expositions provided of key passages were very useful in understanding the moral law and the NT authors' use of the Decalogue. I found this book also useful in contrasting a dispensational position of the moral law, that only 9 of the 10 commandments apply to New Testament believers, with a confessional view of the law of God; although dispensationalists would not agree with all of NCT's arguments or views, it would be worthwhile for them to read this book to understand that the moral perpetuity of the Decalogue is grounded in solid biblical exegesis and avoid strawman arguments of those who are confessional and therefore affirm the perpetuity of the Decalogue.
I believe that the author did achieve the goal set out and provided a useful overview of NCT and response to their key tenets as well as a biblical exposition and defense of what the Bible teaches concerning the moral perpetuity of the Decalogue. I appreciated the detailed exegesis of passages such as 2 Corinthians 3:3, 1 Timothy 1:8-11, and Matthew 5:17-20, among other passages addressed, and the historical theology in the last chapter addressing Calvin and John Bunyan's views on the Sabbath. Dr. Barcellos addresses the hermeneutical presuppositions of NCT in an easy to follow manner, while there are nuances among different proponents of NCT and there has been development in NCT since this book was written in 2001, it still helped me to better understand some of the common tenets of NCT and the expositions provided of key passages were very useful in understanding the moral law and the NT authors' use of the Decalogue. I found this book also useful in contrasting a dispensational position of the moral law, that only 9 of the 10 commandments apply to New Testament believers, with a confessional view of the law of God; although dispensationalists would not agree with all of NCT's arguments or views, it would be worthwhile for them to read this book to understand that the moral perpetuity of the Decalogue is grounded in solid biblical exegesis and avoid strawman arguments of those who are confessional and therefore affirm the perpetuity of the Decalogue.
September 1, 2011
Is not a convincing critique of New Covenant Theology. It simply rehashes old Covenant Theology as its backing, which failed to convince me of its point.
June 16, 2017
Really good! If anything, it was too short and succint.
January 4, 2020
Great book not just in critiquing New Covenant Theology but in establishing the perpetuity of the Moral Law
February 11, 2024
4+. Much more exegetical than I expected, which was appreciated. The format of the book as a critique of one system (NCT) unfortunately limited his positive arguments for the perpetuity of the decalogue outside of those points where it is disputed by NCT theologians—though he does provide this in places.
His treatment of 1 Timothy 1:8-10 was particularly interesting on the full decalogue being present in this passage (more specifically, what is contested: the first table). The historical sections on Bunyan and Calvin were also interesting, but again, limited by a negative focus proving that these men could not be considered forerunners of the NCT view on the Sabbath.
It appears clearly to be a labor of love for the church at a time when New Covenant Theology appeared to have more legs than it does now. I would like to see a revised and expanded work which took the question more broadly, perhaps comparing Progressive Covenantalism's view of the Decalogue (and especially the Sabbath), providing a more substantial positive exegetical case, and a historical scan that it more filled out.
In all, a good, short work that deals with common exegetical points that would be referenced by more than NCT proponents.
Fun fact, this book was sold to me by a pastor in California whose church had a box hidden in storage—a welcome offer given that this out-of-print book is $90-200 used online!
His treatment of 1 Timothy 1:8-10 was particularly interesting on the full decalogue being present in this passage (more specifically, what is contested: the first table). The historical sections on Bunyan and Calvin were also interesting, but again, limited by a negative focus proving that these men could not be considered forerunners of the NCT view on the Sabbath.
It appears clearly to be a labor of love for the church at a time when New Covenant Theology appeared to have more legs than it does now. I would like to see a revised and expanded work which took the question more broadly, perhaps comparing Progressive Covenantalism's view of the Decalogue (and especially the Sabbath), providing a more substantial positive exegetical case, and a historical scan that it more filled out.
In all, a good, short work that deals with common exegetical points that would be referenced by more than NCT proponents.
Fun fact, this book was sold to me by a pastor in California whose church had a box hidden in storage—a welcome offer given that this out-of-print book is $90-200 used online!
January 31, 2014
This book sets out to offer a critique of New Covenant Theology (NCT) and offer counter-exegesis on critical texts related to the perpetuity of the 10 commandments. Although this is far from an exhaustive work, it is a great introduction to studying the issues. I've read through this short little work many times, and each time I've learned something new. This time through I especially appreciated his thorough exegesis of 1st Timothy chapter 1. But regardless of whether or not you're fully convinced of Barcellos' position, he rightly exposes the shortcomings of NCT. Highly recommended to the student of theology.
March 20, 2014
Wish I had read this ten years ago. Although a lot has happened since the writing of this book I believe it to be a good primer and inoculation against NCT.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews