Lifted Veil

I was recently asked for a diagram as to how I understand the Biblical Covenants fit together.

I’ve pasted here (http://liftedveil.org/diagrams-of-the-biblical-covenants/) what I came up with plus what has been sent to me by a friend.  They should be downloadable by right-clicking on the links and saving them.  See also the zip file below with all of them together.

1a.  Simplified Chart:-  http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/1a_NCT_View_Simplified_ShaneBecker.pdf

1b.  Expanded Chart:-
http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/1b_NCT_View_Expanded_ShaneBecker.pdf

(The only note I’d add is that the above diagrams could be read as saying there were no spiritual aspects to the Old/Mosaic covenant.  There was, however that didn’t define the covenant or its membership. Being part of National Israel defined the membership of that covenant Deut 4:13, 5:1-3).

2a.  Chart from Kyle Frampton:- http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/2a_NCT_CT_DT_Diagram_fromKyleFrampton.pdf

2b.  Notes from Kyle:- http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/2b_NCT_CT_D_Notes_fromKyleFrampton.pdf

I also have these developed earlier which may be of interest.

3.  New Covenant Newness Table:  http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/3_NC_Newness.pdf

4.  Primary Redemptive Covenants Table (Abrahamic, Old, New).  http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/4_CovenantsTable.pdf

(Again, in table format the covenants can appear a bit ‘flat’.  I think viewing this table along side ‘1b’ above will be a good way of getting a handle on things.  Also, I’m not sure that now I’d speak of the Lord’s Supper as the sign - singular - of the New Covenant.  It certainly is identified as the primary ceremonial sign.  Now, I’d probably speak of the signs - plural - of the New Covenant. Don’t know. I think the table is still correct - maybe needs minor qualification to identify ‘Primary Physical Sign’ or something.)

5.  Sabbath Timeline:  http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/5_SabbathTimeLine.pdf
(This was developed to aid discussions with Sunday Sabbaterians.  I should add a box 9 at the end to identify Christ as our eternal Sabbath rest per Colossians 2).

Folder:  http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/

Zip-File of all the above Charts and Tables:
http://liftedveil.org/content/nctdiagrams/NCT_Tables.zip
(Right click and save it to download).

I’m also expecting a diagram, which is a work in progress, from Josh Wood outlining where different people sit on the continuity/discontinuity line.  I’ll past it here also when it is completed.

And of all my charts and stuff, this is my all time favorite illustration that I developed a few years back (although it is not directly related to the subject at hand):-

6.  Oar That’s Hard: http://treasuringchrist.com/_TCCC/Hard_26Apr06.swf : )

Your brother in Christ,

Shane Becker.

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(Trackback Link: http://liftedveil.org/diagrams-of-the-biblical-covenants/ )

To Australian and New Zealand Lovers of Great Theology and Christian Books,

I’m kicking off New Covenant Media (Australia) and am offering a special discounted rate for November.  (Prices are also low at the moment owing to the favorable exchange rate)

Please refer to the book list and prices .

For information on the books see http://www.newcovenantmedia.com (remember that is a US site with US$ prices - but a good source of info on the books). Please email me your request - my email is on the book list.

Also, I still have ESV Study Bibles (Hardcover) left from my bulk order from Crossway - AU$50 each.

And the Mick Porter and Steve Wilson DVD, ‘A Question of Mercy’, is discounted to $10 each at present.

Price assumes pickup in Brisbane - happy to post it to you but you’ll have to add the cost of postage from Brisbane.

Preferred payment via direct deposit.  3% surcharge for credit card payments.

Grace,

Shane.

A copy of my email to “New Focus” regarding their latest attack on ‘New Covenant Theology’ (NCT).
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Dear brothers in Christ,

I have a few queries about George Ella’s remark regarding New Covenant Theology.

1. Has he actually read Wells and Zaspel’s book or is he basing his criticisms on material written by others? If he has not read the book word for word does he intend on doing so?

2. Has he sought to dialogue with Zaspel and/or Wells? If not, would Ella be willing to dialogue with some NCT theologians regarding his views? Would he be willing to open himself up to some loving theological dialogue and cross examination in an open forum or via email?

3. Some questions in regard to the following Ella quote:

“Our Reformers distinguished between error and heresy. The former was a mere misunderstanding of the gospel here and there; the latter was a total rejection of the gospel and the bringing in of a new religion. New Covenant Theology is thus most definitely a heresy. The ‘new’ in it is a new law and a new gospel with a new ecclesiology, a new Christology and a new doctrine of the Word of God. It has a new view of the natures of both man and God and a new view of God’s dealings with man. In the following months, I hope to show in detail what are the basic tenets of this false religion and how we can armour ourselves against it.”

Do you (or Ella) believe that those who hold to NCT are unbelievers going to hell as implied by such vitriolic and misleading statements regarding NCT such as “heresy” (as opposed to “error”), “total rejection of the gospel”, “a new gospel”, “new Christology”, “false religion”, etc.

If you/he does believe that we, who hold to NCT, are all a bunch of hell bound rebels, does he also believe that the foundation for our faith is false? I remind you that those who hold to NCT also hold Calvinistic views of salvation. We have likewise repented for our sins and trusted in Jesus Christ alone: as the only Son of God, our Lord, King, Saviour and treasure. Are we not saved on this basis? We all confess him as Lord, forsake our sin, hold to the infallibility of Scripture, etc.

In my case I was converted and much later embraced Calvinistic teaching. Later again I embraced Presbyterianism as taught by the Westminster Confession of Faith. Many years later I changed my understanding of how the covenants fit together (i.e. embraced NCT). At this point did I enter a “false religion”? So, if we are unbelievers, as implied, do you or Ella believe it is not enough to hold these basics of Christianity to be saved? Is there more that we need to embrace? Must we agree point for point with Mr Ella over additional theological truths in order to be saved? (If so, you’ve added an awful lot of propositional truths to the gospel required to be embraced in order to be saved. Such a view can not be substantiated by Scripture!)

If I have misunderstood you or Ella, and you are not implying that we are all hell bound, may I suggest you tone down your language and speak more accurately concerning our beliefs. Please stick to the points of difference and stop making sweeping statements like you have so far. Broad brush, unqualified and misleading statements are not helpful. That is, saying we embrace a “new gospel with a new ecclesiology, a new Christology and a new doctrine of the Word of God. It has a new view of the natures of both man and God and a new view of God’s dealings with man.”, etc. Unqualified these overstatements appear designed to make us appear to hold views further divergent from the reformed faith than is correct. Please exercise more care in the future.

4. Do you consider the following to be “law”?
“Let your speech always, be gracious” (Col 4:6a)
“Rather, *speaking the truth in love*, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” Eph 4:15.

Your brother in Christ-
Shane Becker.