1. Overview of the Theology of the Pentateuch.
Theology is the study of God, and further the Theology of the Pentateuch is defined as what is the Pentateuch teaching us about God today. The Pentateuch is another name for the Torah, which consists of the first five books of the Biblical canon. Studying the theological vision contained within the Pentateuch is crucial to scholars since it is this vision that shapes the principal form of this work. Further, the foundation for the theology of God is set forth in the rest of the Bible. One can read numerous intricate, complex stories as concern our Creator, however there is not one contradiction in respect to his attributes that can be found. It is owing to the fact that this is a solid
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These are promises that God secured between himself and his people. For example, Genesis one uncovers a covenant with Adam and continues further with covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, Israel and a renewal with the new generation of God’s chosen people in Deuteronomy. Moreover, each of these covenants has “it’s own character and scope; and each prepares for and provides the found for, the next”. Alexander and Baker hold fast in agreement and proceed to say, “ Yet the faith and varied responses of the ancestors and Israelites are best grasped in relation to covenant making, covenant breaking and renewals of covenant”. The narrative of the Pentateuch has a progressive nature, as do the covenants made between people and God.
2. Theology of the Pentateuch in Genesis.
2.1 Character of God, Humanity, and Covenant Relationship in Genesis.
The book of Genesis presents the reader with a relational God. In particular, Genesis focuses on the relationship between God and man and “thus Genesis does not present a static theology of God’s involvement with humanity, but regardless of his mode of engagement, God is present and active”. However, the sin of man arrived into the world and these relationships were fractured. Again, God exhibits judgment, but also mercy when in Genesis three He sends Adam and Eve out of the Garden for their transgression, yet provides clothes as an act of grace.
The main Biblical idea behind a covenant means a
There are 6 major covenants in the Bible, Adam and Eve, pre-flood Noah, post-flood Noah, Abrahamic, Moses, and Jesus, with multiple themes of salvation, Messiah, and grace. Each are promises between God and His people and have four common elements; a benefactor; God, a beneficiary; man, terms and conditions, and a token or symbol.
Busenitz’ article offers an in depth understanding of covenants and how they play a prominent role in the Old Testament life including social, political, and religious settings. The author brings to light the definition of the term covenant and provides specific examples of how the term is used within the 39 books of the Old Testament. Busenitz’ establishes the Old Testament usage of the term, covenant, including how it is phrased,
The Hebrews are a Covenant oriented demographic. Their holy book is the Torah and as defined by God for the Torah there are six Covenants to follow these would include: Abrahamic, Mosaic, Priestly, Davidic, and the New Covenant. The main question pertains to the fact of how faithful were the Hebrews And God to these Covenants. Another thought is to how did these Covenants separate the Hebrews from their surrounding neighbors? Can these covenants be applied to daily life and resound on a personal level in 2016 as well?I firmly believe that the covenants can provide a peace of mind for those that are willing to accept the Scriptures and apply them to be a more ethical and morally sound person.
Prior to reading The Christ of the Covenants, I was unaware of the emphasis placed on the covenants, likely due to my un-Reformed background. After reading this book, I feel that it fully demonstrates the relationship between five covenants God instigated with Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses, and David in the Old Testament, and how they are reflected in Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection in the New Testament. In answering four basic questions, I discovered this main idea to be true time and time again. This book forced me to think critically on how God’s five covenants relate to the entire message presented in Scripture, unity and diversity, covenant theology vs. dispensational theology, and strengths and weaknesses in the entirety of the book. Robertson exhibits his vast knowledge of the subject with a concisely structured index outlining one clear point for the entire novel: the relationship between the old and new covenants.
Generally speaking the term theology comes to us from Greek words meaning “the study of God”.
Eventually, the Torah provided a tangible manifestation of covenant. Rather than a set of rules meant to punish, Torah taught the Israelites how to live within God’s covenant. Understanding and applying Torah was not without struggle, yet revealed the nature of covenant with God within the struggle. Many minds worked together over the years to tweak the expectations and understanding of God’s covenants to meet the demands of life as life changed, meaning the covenants were living and breathing
This Abrahamic Covenant Chart is designed to provide clarity in determining the key points and verses that illustrate the covenant between God and Abraham. The chart is split into several parts detailing the following aspects of the covenant: the first is the reference or bible text, the next four factors will highlight factors for the audience to appropriately understand and apply the meaning of each reference being; to whom this reference was addressed, the circumstances in which this reference where reiterated, composition of the covenant, and analyze the development of the covenant throughout the Book of Genesis. Lastly the chart will also note any changes to be aware of in Genesis chapters 12-50. The chart is most easily understood referring to the reference to the far left of the chart and reviewing all factors in the
The Christ of the Covenants demonstrates the relationship between five covenants God instigated with Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses, and David in the Old Testament, and how they are reflected in Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection in the New Testament. In answering four basic questions, I discovered this main idea to be true time and time again. Robertson exhibits his vast knowledge of the subject with a concisely structured index outlining one clear point for the entire novel.
Covenant – Is an agreement, that must be kept, that binds two or more entities together (Van Groningen, 1996). Therefore, through God’s divine grace he elected to enter into a covenant with the patriarchs and the people of Israel, whereby he defined the terms of the covenant
The three promises relate to the covenant oaths God swears in Genesis 15,17,and 22. God strengthens Abraham’s faith by upgrading his three promises with three covenant oaths. In Genesis 15, God promises that Abram’s descendants will be delivered from bondage in a foreign nation and will be given the Promised Land. In Genesis 17, God promises that kings will come forth from Abraham and Sarah. Finally, in Genesis 22, God declares that all nations will be blessed through Abraham’s descendants.
many times in different texts. Some scholars my say that the word covenants is hard to find a true meaning. You will hear the word covenant throughout the Old Testament. I think sometimes when we hear the word covenant only one or two covenants come to mind. There are many covenants throughout the Bible. I will attempt to define and explain five covenants. These five covenants are: Noahic Covenant, Abrahamic Covenant, Mosaic Covenant, Davidic Covenant and the Fifth Covenant or the (New Covenant). In these particular covenants we will find the promises God made with his people. In this paper I will attempted to answer questions which of these
Throughout the Old Testament God has been actively directing people to him. His method of doing this was by establishing covenants with him. The definition of covenant is, “a formal and serious agreement or promise” (Merriam Webster). There are seven convents described in the Old Testament: Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Palestinian, Mosaic, Davidic and New Covenant. Some of these covenants are conditional and based on prerequisites and can be broken if the requirements are not met. The rest are unconditional covenants, they were made with no strings attached, meaning the agreement would be kept no matter what. The purpose of this paper is to examine each of these covenants and their results.
The word “Covenant” is the Jewish religion’s belief that their people have a special kind of conventional relationship with God (Fisher 254) . There are various kinds of covenants depending upon the type of religion. For example, the covenant for Jewish monotheism is the belief that there is only one true God and all the others are false. But Israel’s covenant is the belief that they are God’s “chosen” people. This covenant pertains to the story of Abraham being obedient to God by almost sacrificing his son due to God’s commands; thus becoming the “chosen” one because he listened to God. These relationships are maintained through the people of these religions remaining obedient and doing as their god expects of them; hence their god will reward
With Adam’s covenant with God having been defunct as of the expulsion from Eden, the extant covenants are limited to those of Noah, Abraham, and of Moses. All mankind is considered heir to the burdens of Adam and Noah. According to the Jewish tradition, the obligations created through Abraham and Moses are what distinguish the Children of Israel as a people apart from the
The idea of covenant is central to the Bible’s story. “Covenant presents God’s desire to enter into relationship with men and women created in his image. This is reflected in the repeated covenant refrain, “I will be your God and you will be my people” (Exodus 6:6-8). Covenant is all about the relationship between the Creator and his creation. The idea may seem simple; however the implications of covenant and covenant relationship between God and humankind are immeasurable” (Gentry & Wellum, 2012, p21).