Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry

This book responds to the challenges posed by covenant nomism (e.g., the New Perspective(s) on Christ and the Federal Vision movement) by reasserting the biblical theology of the covenants and justification as confessed by the Reformed and Presbyterian churches. The exegetical section argues from the Pentateuch, the Prophets, and Romans that covenantal nomism does not account sufficiently for the biblical doctrines of the covenants of works and grace. The theological argument reconsiders the covenant of redemption and the imputation of Christ’s active obedience. It also considers the relations between covenant nomism and those views rejected by the Reformation and the relations between justification sola fide and the Christian life. The pastoral section considers the ministerial and ecclesiastical implications of covenant theology and justification regarding how the doctrine of justification sola fide should be preached, what it means to preach law and gospel, how to avoid the dangers of rationalism and moralism, and the implications of the gospel for pastoral counseling.