The Law Is Not of Faith: Essays on Works and Grace in the Mosaic Covenant

by Bryan D. Estelle (Editor), David VanDrunen, J.V. Fesko

Is the Mosaic covenant in some sense a republication of the covenant of works? What is the nature of its demand for obedience, since sinful man is unable to obey as God requires? How in turn was the law to drive Israel to Jesus? This book explores these issues pertaining to the doctrine of republication--once a staple in Reformed theology--a doctrine with far-reaching implications for Paul's theology, our relationship to Old Testament law, justification, and more.

Genres: Theology

358 pages, Paperback

First published January 9, 2009

About the author

Bryan D. Estelle (PhD, Catholic University of America) is professor of Old Testament at Westminster Seminary California. He is the author of Salvation Through Judgment and Mercy.

Reviews

[Lee Irons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a multi-author volume devoted to the controversial topic of the nature of the Mosaic covenant, specifically the so-called “republication” thesis that the Mosaic covenant or economy contains a republication of the works principle originally present in the Adamic covenant of works. Even though the authors are not all in agreement with each other in terms of their particular version or formulation of the republication thesis, the book adds credibility to the thesis and helps generate discussion. But because the authors hold a spectrum of views, each essay needs to be evaluated independently.

The Introduction, co-authored by the three editors (Bryan Estelle, John Fesko, and David VanDrunen) is very good. It states the basic thesis in the words of a hypothetical candidate for ordination addressing a presbytery:

“The works principle under Moses – the connection of their obedience and disobedience with blessing and curse in the land – was typological, showing the people their sinfulness while pointing them to Christ who would fulfil the law. I hope that you didn’t understand me to say that the Mosaic covenant is a covenant of works; I believe that it is an administration of the covenant of grace, but that there is this principle of works operative at a typological level as part of this administration. I believe that even the republication of the covenant of works in the Mosaic covenant is meant ultimately to lead to Christ” (p. 3).

The editors also clear away three common misunderstandings of the republication thesis (p. 14):

First, the notion that the works principle was republished in the Mosaic economy does not mean that the way of salvation under the old covenant was different than the way of salvation under the new covenant.

Second, affirming the republication thesis does not mean that one is totally separating or disconnecting the Mosaic covenant from the covenant of grace.

Third, affirming republication in no way entails antinomianism or a denial of the third use of the law.

The editors’ primary burden is to show that the doctrine of republication is “integrally connected” (p. 19) with the doctrine of justification by faith alone. “The Mosaic law was necessary to make manifest a works principle that Christ the Messiah would have to fulfill” (p. 19), not only in terms of his passive obedience (taking on himself the curse of the law), but also in terms of his active obedience (fulfilling the positive righteousness demanded by the law).

The book is divided into three sections:

Part 1: Historical studies (essays by Fesko, Hart, and Ferry)
Part 2: Biblical Studies (essays by Estelle, Belcher, Curtis, Waters, Gordon, and Baugh)
Part 3: Theological Studies (essays by VanDrunen and Horton)

In my view the best essays are Chapter 4 on Lev 18:5 and Deut 30:1-14 (by Bryan Estelle), Chapter 8 on Paul’s contrast between Abraham and Sinai in Galatians (by T. David Gordon), and Chapter 10 on the works principle under Adam and Moses (by David VanDrunen). These three essays are the closest to representing Kline’s view of the Mosaic Covenant, although all three are also creatively going beyond Kline in various ways.

I feel obliged to comment on Chapter 3, which is a taxonomy of Reformed opinion on the Mosaic covenant by Brenton Ferry. This is a very helpful chapter. If anything, it shows that the Reformed tradition has had a lively debate on this subject, with Reformed theologians adopting a variety of different formulations as they sought to wrestle with the nature of the Mosaic economy. My concern with this essay is very narrow, and it has to do with Ferry’s analysis of Kline’s position (pp. 79-80 n11; 80 n14; 97 n85). I think Ferry makes the mistake of resting his analysis of Kline primarily on his early writings, Treaty of the Great King (1963) and By Oath Consigned (1968). In the 1990s and early 2000s, prior to his death in 2007, Kline specifically stated that he had modified his views of covenant theology as expressed in the first two chapters of By Oath Consigned, and he strongly urged people to read Kingdom Prologue in order to ascertain his mature formulations with respect to covenant theology.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting collection of essays on republication and the relationship between the Adamic covenant of works, the Mosaic covenant, and the new covenant. Essays range from highly readable for a layperson (such as Ferry’s and Gordon’s) to highly academic and technical (such as Estelle’s and Waters’). I found several essays particularly interesting - Belcher’s essay on how Christ can be seen in the Psalms, Curtis’ essay on figurative language and wordplay in the prophets, and VanDrunen’s essay on natural law.

[Patrick McWilliams · Rating 2 out of 5]

These essays contain much good material, but they do not go far enough. Despite their recognition of a works principle clearly present in the Mosaic Covenant, they are desperate to remain within the bounds of the Westminster Confession. Instead, they ought to embrace the view of John Owen, who maintained that the Sinaitic Covenant was not an administration of the Covenant of Grace, but rather a subservient works covenant made with Israel. Owen's "Savoy Declaration" would be a good place to start.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this collection of essays is necessary reading for those interested in the republication debate (the question of whether or not the covenant of works with Adam was republished under Moses), much within the volume is not really germane to that discussion. For instance, D. G. Hart's chapter on Princeton is useful for demonstrating that natural law/revelation answers the question raised by religious historians as to whether or not the Princeton divines' commitment to Common Sense Realism was consistent with their Reformed views of human depravity. Now that is all very well, but what has it to do with the republication thesis?

Another major problem with the book is that the thesis is rather vague. The contributors do not seem to agree on what they mean by republication. Some seem to hold that the "do this and live" principle constituted a republication of the covenant of works during the legal administration of the covenant of grace for typological and pedagogical purposes, i.e. showing the Israelites their need of Christ. Others seem to go further, almost viewing the Mosaic covenant as a covenant of works simpliciter or seeing the national covenant with Israel as a covenant of works. The first view is congruous with the Westminster Confession's teaching that there was, in substance, one covenant of grace in all ages since the fall. I do not, however, believe that republication is a test of confessional orthodoxy.

Some positive points are worth highlighting. First, David VanDrunen's essay on natural law demonstrates that the issues of natural law, the covenant of works, and recognising that the whole human race is created in the divine image are all deeply intertwined. When someone rejects one of these positions, he is likely to reject them all. Moreover, DvD actually concedes a lot of ground to theonomy, but, sadly, too many modern theonomists reject natural law and set aside one of the strongest arguments for their position. Second, while T. David Gordon's view of the Mosaic covenant is a bit extreme, I think that he is right to call attention to John Murray's inability to deal with passages in Galatians that run counter to his mono-covenantalism.

[Jesse Sauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful discussions

[Kevin Sheth · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is much to be commended in this collection of essays on Works and Grace in the Mosaic Economy. While some essays are more helpful than others, all essays contribute to a framework of republication that views the Mosaic Covenant as substantially a covenant of grace, constituting some kind of works principle. The historical studies are somewhat valuable but I wish that Witsius had played a more central role, especially his covenant theological framework. Much of the biblical studies material is especially helpful. Curtis' essay on Hosea 6:7 demonstrates a "middle way" between competing interpretations of "Adam". Likewise, Baugh's essay on Galatians 5:1-6 and Belcher's essay on the Psalms are comprehensive, yet smooth in articulation. While the theological studies were short, VanDrunen gave an excellent overview of a distinctly Reformed Natural Law ethic using the works principle in Adam and Moses as a foundation. Lastly, Horton's essay on the active obedience of Christ was an important conclusion, especially when it came to understanding the "thank offering" that believers give to God, since Christ has been made a sacrifice and an obedient Son. However, despite this being a collection of "essays on Works and Grace", works was made the central theme of the book, for the most part, stressing the works principle in the Mosaic covenant. While that's certainly an important aspect of any book centered around republication, it would have been helpful to read more about the eschatological implications for today's Christians that Horton touches on throughout his essay in more detail.

[Russ · Rating 3 out of 5]

An uneven collection of essays around (but not on) themes related to the Mosaic covenant in some sense being a republication of the covenant of works. While a few of the essays are well-written, clear and present a reasonable case, too many are unnecessarily dense and tentative. If this is the benchmark book, the metaphorical pencil needs to be sharper.

[Dwayne Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essays of varying difficulty and quality, addressed to readers armed with patience for academic argument and a competence in covenant theology. Intermediate readers may benefit as much from exposure to the world of modern Biblical scholarship and the many footnotes for further reading as the content itself, which is excellent. I have my reading list set up, I know that.

[NG · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read Venema’s book “Christ and Covenant Theology” for a great critique of this book. Republication is a minority viewpoint within reformed theology for good reason.

[Mark Sumpter]

In "some sense" is the liturgical literary form of this book. The contributors, who write the eleven chapters making up 336 pps, wrap their explanations around the thematic point that in "some sense" the covenant at Sinai should be understood to be a republication of the covenant with Adam. 80% of the book is less-troubling Yawnsville; the other 20 is about stealing some lunch money out of John Murray's pocket. A central point of the book suggest that the one good eye of Mr. Murray's should be covered with a pirate's patch after he called out historical and biblical studies with his re-casting of covenant theology. This is OPC intramural rugby. I'm blogging through this scrum, and I'm finding that it will take several weeks--maybe two or three months--to blog it to completion. In thinking about the matter of approach and expectations, I went back and pulled up a comment from Mike Horton, who is one of the contributors. He reminds us that the subject material of this book calls for big boys to play with big theological toys. Listen to what Mike knocked down back in 2006 in Table Talk magazine: “By far the question that has been taken up the most in the history of Reformed theology is whether the covenant that Israel made with God at Sinai is a re-publication or renewal of the covenant of works made with humanity in Adam.” Huh. Wow. We're looking at a question that's been taken up the most. With attempts at big questions and big answers, it's going to take some plodding. I aim to enter into the burden of my brothers in grappling with this subject of continuity and discontinuity of the Bible. I think that TLINOF will become a noteable volume along the line of pick-up basketball down at the cage on Main and Elm Streets in Any Presbyterian City, USA. There's no paint with which to be concerned in a pick-up game, but there's always a heat check going on. Who's knocking on the door of slamming multiple threes...and who will step up to get into the face of the hot hand. Maybe it's some Machen warrior basketball. It CAN be good fun. I want to give it a try.

[Jason Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book against the Federal Vision and other Neo-Nomians. Only Roman Catholics and Federal Visions will give you sour grapes about this book.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the essays were more helpful than others, but on the whole, an excellent book.