šŸ“˜ Lexicon Entry: Covenant Theology

Short Definition
A theological framework emphasizing God’s covenant relationships with humanity through progressive historical arrangements, particularly the covenants of works, grace, and redemption
Definition
Covenant Theology is a theological framework that interprets the relationship between God and humanity primarily through the lens of covenant—binding agreements that establish the terms of relationship between divine and human parties. Originating in Reformed theology during the 16th and 17th centuries, covenant theology traditionally identifies several key covenants: the covenant of works with Adam, the covenant of grace established after the Fall, and the new covenant in Christ. While covenant theology in its orthodox form emphasizes God’s faithfulness and gracious initiative in establishing relationship with humanity, it becomes problematic when appropriated by Providential Identitarianism to justify claims of special divine favor for particular ethnic or national groups. This misappropriation transforms covenant from a gracious divine initiative into a claim of earned privilege, supporting forms of Christian Nationalism that conflate American identity with biblical chosenness. The distortion of covenant theology contributes to Dominative Christianism by providing theological justification for claims of supremacy rather than servanthood.
Category
Theological Genealogy
Keywords
covenant theology, Reformed theology, federal theology, covenant of grace, covenant of works, chosenness, election, providence
Citation Guide
Geevarghese-Uffman, Craig. ā€œCovenant Theology.ā€ *Political Theology Lexicon*. https://www.commonlifepolitics.com/p/lexicon. Accessed [date].
Historical Context
Emerges in Reformed theology during 16th century as systematization of biblical covenant themes
Johannes Cocceius (1603-1669) developed federal theology emphasizing covenant as organizing principle
Westminster Confession (1647) provided classical statement of covenant theology
Scottish Presbyterian tradition transmitted covenant theology to American colonies
Puritan adoption of covenant theology as framework for understanding colonial mission
Key Development Phases
Early Reformed systematization of biblical covenant themes (16th century)
Federal theology development by Cocceius and Dutch Reformed theologians (17th century)
Westminster Standards codification of covenant theology (1640s)
Puritan adaptation for New World colonial context (17th-18th centuries)
Modern Reformed covenant theology development (19th-20th centuries)
Contemporary appropriation by nationalist and supremacist movements (20th-21st centuries)
Theological Foundations
Covenant of Works: God’s original relationship with Adam based on perfect obedience
Covenant of Grace: God’s gracious arrangement for salvation after the Fall
Progressive revelation through various historical covenants (Noah, Abraham, Moses, David)
New Covenant in Christ as fulfillment of all previous covenantal arrangements
Federal headship: Adam and Christ as covenant representatives for humanity
Divine election: God’s choice of covenant people for blessing and service
Influential Movements
Reformed orthodoxy and systematic theology development
Puritan theology and practice in New England colonies
Scottish Covenanting movement and Presbyterian ecclesiology
American Presbyterian and Reformed denominations
Contemporary Reformed covenant theology scholarship
Appropriation by white supremacist and Christian nationalist movements
Key Historical Figures
Johannes Cocceius (1603-1669): Developer of federal theology
William Ames (1576-1633): Puritan covenant theologian
Westminster Divines: Authors of Westminster Confession
Charles Hodge (1797-1878): Princeton theologian and covenant theology systematizer
Herman Bavinck (1854-1921): Dutch Reformed covenant theologian
Michael Horton (1964-present): Contemporary Reformed covenant theologian
Biblical Interpretation Trajectory
Reading Old Testament through lens of progressive covenant revelation
Emphasis on continuity between Old and New Testament covenants
Christological interpretation of covenant promises and fulfillment
Appropriation of Old Testament chosenness language for contemporary groups
Selective reading emphasizing covenant privilege over covenant obligation
Misreading of covenant particularity as ethnic or national exclusivity
Contemporary Manifestations
Appropriation by Providential Identitarianism to justify ethnic and national supremacy
Use by Christian Nationalism to sacralize American exceptionalism
Distortion by Dominative Christianism to transform service into supremacy
Misreading by Primitive Biblicism without attention to Christological fulfillment
Employment by Binary Apocalypticism to divide world into covenant community versus enemies
Academic Research
Classical covenant theology scholarship by Charles Hodge and Herman Bavinck
Contemporary covenant theology by Michael Horton and Scott Hahn
Critical analysis of covenant theology’s appropriation by white supremacy by Willie James Jennings
Historical studies of Puritan covenant theology by Perry Miller and Sacvan Bercovitch
Political theological analysis of covenant and American exceptionalism by Steven Hahn
Key Authors
Path Navigation
Contemporary Movements: Christian Nationalism, Identity Synthesis
Historical Context: Civil Religion, [Cotton Evangelicalism](placeholder-url), [Syncretism](placeholder-url)
Last Updated
May 22, 2025
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*This entry is part of the Political Theology Lexicon, accessible exclusively to subscribers. View the complete lexicon to explore related concepts and the full theoretical framework.*
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