Recently I sat in a teaching which I believe was supporting the eternal security doctrine. It covered Gen. 15:18, Dr. Hal Harless' book, "How Firm a Foundation", covenant types; including, Suzerain- Vassal and Grant types.
It was stated that the Grant type of covenant was unilateral and unconditional:
Gen. 15:18 was purported to be a Grant type,
Jer. 31:31-34 was connected to the Grant types,
And so was the New Covenant that Jesus instituted.
Do you know anything about these Grant type of Covenants ?
Could someone point me to where this may already be covered ?
May God Bless You,
Bud
Grant Covenants
Grant Covenants
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Over the years, I have read quite a bit about Suzerain-Vassal covenants. I don't recall reading about the "grant" types, though I would hope any book that was seeking to make any significant points about such treaties would give footnotes that would direct you to other source information. In the absence of such reference notes, it becomes questionable whether the author is giving documentable information or not.
The suzerain was a powerful kingdom (like Israel under David), which conquered a weaker kingdom and placed it under tribute. The kingdom under tribute was the vassal of the other. In ancient times, suzerains made treaties (or covenants) with their vassals, which defined the mutual duties of both nations in the relationship. Deuteronomy is written (scholars say) as a suzerainty treaty between God and Israel.
I assume that a "grant" treaty would differ from that just described in the characteristic of not defining any mutual obligations between parties, but simply enumerating unilateral privileges to be granted by one party to another.
If this is so, it would be a matter of opinion (based upon one's prior theological commitments) to say that God's "land covenant" with Israel, or His New Covenant with the church falls into one or the other category. I find it surprising (but not very) that someone would identify Genesis 15:18ff as an unconditional covenant, when it is so frequently declared elsewhere to be conditional (e.g., Lev.18:24-28; 25:23/ Deut.28:21, 63).
As for saying the New Covenant is an unconditional "grant-type" covenant, I can agree with this statement only if we are talking about its being a unilateral grant to the church corporately. That is, God has unconditionally promised to save and bless those who are in Christ (i.e., the church). My individual participation in the church (and therefore in the covenant benefits) is, however, conditional upon my personal exercise of faith.
The suzerain was a powerful kingdom (like Israel under David), which conquered a weaker kingdom and placed it under tribute. The kingdom under tribute was the vassal of the other. In ancient times, suzerains made treaties (or covenants) with their vassals, which defined the mutual duties of both nations in the relationship. Deuteronomy is written (scholars say) as a suzerainty treaty between God and Israel.
I assume that a "grant" treaty would differ from that just described in the characteristic of not defining any mutual obligations between parties, but simply enumerating unilateral privileges to be granted by one party to another.
If this is so, it would be a matter of opinion (based upon one's prior theological commitments) to say that God's "land covenant" with Israel, or His New Covenant with the church falls into one or the other category. I find it surprising (but not very) that someone would identify Genesis 15:18ff as an unconditional covenant, when it is so frequently declared elsewhere to be conditional (e.g., Lev.18:24-28; 25:23/ Deut.28:21, 63).
As for saying the New Covenant is an unconditional "grant-type" covenant, I can agree with this statement only if we are talking about its being a unilateral grant to the church corporately. That is, God has unconditionally promised to save and bless those who are in Christ (i.e., the church). My individual participation in the church (and therefore in the covenant benefits) is, however, conditional upon my personal exercise of faith.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
In Jesus,
Steve
Steve