Covenant Theology In Outline Form (Part 1)

This is the general outline of a suzerain covenant.

Preamble

Historical Prologue

General Stipulations

Specific Stipulations 

Renewal, Document Clause

Witnesses

This outline appears repeatedly in Scripture.  It makes for a helpful Study Guide.   We ought to pay careful attention when this outline appears, insofar as every major biblical covenant takes this form.  Here are some helpful thoughts.

The Bible teaches the 3 uses of the Law (& Gospel).   Understanding the 3 uses of the Law helps us as we study Deuteronomy & the Sermon on the Mount.  

As Moses delivered God’s Law from Sinai, so Yeshua reveals God’s Law with a Gospel slant from the Mount of Olives. 

Deuteronomy: 

Preamble (1:1-5)

Historical Prologue (1:6 - 4:43)

General Stipulations (4:44 - 11:32)

• Decalogue 5 : 1 - 21 

Specific Stipulations (12:1 - 26:19)

Renewal, Document Clause (27:1 - 30:20) 

Witnesses ( 31: 1 - 34:12)

Sermon on the Mount:

Prologue/Decalogue: (5:1 - 12)

Historical Prologue: (5:13 - 17) identifies the vassals/vassal state;  (5:13 - 16); identifies the Deliverer (5:17)

General Stipulations (5:18 - 20).

Specific Stipulations (5:21- 7:11)

Renewal and Document Clause (7:12 ) 

Witnesses (7:13 - 27)

Understanding this legal & literary form helps us understand Leviticus 18 & Romans 1:18 - 32. 

Romans 1:18 - 32:

Paul is following the outline of Leviticus 18, following the form of a Hebraic lawsuit.

Shema and Decalogue (1:18 - 21) God’s Image testifies to His attributes & Law.

God created people. His temple bears His Image & runs according to his Law & Gospel.

Historical Prologue related to issue at hand. (22 - 23)

They apostatised, rejecting God’s Image & Law, substituting their own. They crafted idols that looked & behaved like themselves.

Prohibitions (24 - 28) How did these cults work, regarding sex?

They vary depending on the god. A great many included sex. These gods included Aphrodite, the pagan patron of Corinth. She deployed prostitutes. Isis worship included heterosexual sex & periodic abstention. In Canaan, people did sex for their gods (Lev. 18: 6 - 23).

The next level of sexual iniquity addressed is profane homosexual sex for idols. Afterward - debased mind, which corresponds to Lev. 18:23.

Document Clause, Covenant Sanction & Witnesses (29 - 32)

Kitchen sink immorality will lead to Rome’s burning. In Lev. Egypt & Sodom serve as proverbs, referring to God’s righteous moral decree. Don’t do these things, be witnesses for the Truth instead.

Leviticus 18:

Shema/Prologue (Lev. 18:1 - 5)

General & Specific Prohibitions (Lev.18: 6 -23) 

Document Clause & Witnesses (Lev. 18: 24 - 30), which refers to statutes & rules & charges the people as witnesses

Romans interprets Lev. 18 & vice versa. To understand it correctly all you need to do is avoid the fallacies I named for everyone’s benefit.

This legal & literary form appears again as John’s Gospel. 

Preamble (John 1:1 - 18)

Historical Prologue (John 1:19 - 2:25)

General Stipulations (John 3:1 - 12:50)

Specific Stipulations (John 13:1 - 18:40)

Renewal, Document Clause (John 19:1 - 19:42)

Witnesses (John 20:1 - 21:25)

We also find it in the Book of Revelation. 

Preamble (Rev. 1: 1 - 8)

Historical Prologue (Rev. 1:9 - 3:22)

General Stipulations (Rev. 4:1 - 11:19

Specific Stipulations (Rev. 12: 1 - 18:24 

Renewal, Document Clause (Rev. 19:1 - 22:7)

Witnesses (Rev. 22:8 - 22:21)

These just preliminary thoughts.  I hope to unpack them later in more detail.  Until then, may God bless us all, each & every one, & “Go & Sin No More.” 

On to Part 2