More on the Moral Will of God

We must affirm the unity of the moral will of God expressed in creation, in the redemption of Israel and her covenant at Sinai, and under the New Covenant. The discontinuity rests not in the moral desire of God for man; but rather in the purpose of the revelation of the "righteous" path revealed in it's work under each administration. In creation, Adam was under probation and failed his obligation thus condemning him and his children after him; at Sinai and in Israel's history, Israel was under law (moral, ceremonial, and civil)as a child is under her tutor AND as a covenant of works typologically in possession of the Land; and for us from the Incarnate Word as a means of expressing gratitude and love. I see 9 commandments re-cast in the N.T. and the 10th (Sabbath) as changed and designated as "the Lord's Day" under which "none should be judged". Can we look to the Sinaitic Covenant in any positive light for us now? I believe we can look to it and say on the one hand... yes... as it reveals an enduring standard of righteousness by God as a republication of the Covenant of Works from creation and fulfilled in Christ; yet on the other hand... no, if it is taken as the normative standard for us to live in this age. The Mosaic standards are fulfilled in Christ's life and work thereby establishing a pattern by which we are called to reflect His image in this age as faith works through love. We are not under the Sinaitic Covenant in any sense. We are under the New Covenant whereby we are called to respond to God's gracious adoption in love. The norms of this covenant are not a new law in any sense similar to a COW; rather, the norm of this New Covenant is Faith working through Love.

Lee Irons has drawn a careful and useful line with respect to God's Moral Will discussing how it was revealed in the COW in Creation, in the Sinaitic Covenant and then in the New Covenant. The OPC had problems with his definitions when compared with chapter 19 of the WCF. However, I think Lee's formulation is outstanding and may very well be a superior interpretation of the Biblical-Redemptive Historical record.

The Moral Will of God and the Law

I am a former OPC member (moved to different city) and have settled at an Independant Reformed Baptist church. It is a small congregation which embraces Calvinism and New Covenant Theology. There are folks with varying views within the congregation regarding Covenant Theology including the pastor (obviously). I have been challenged to re-think my views on Covenant Theology and the Law of God (Mosaic); and as a result, the continuity / discontinuity issues with respect to the Old and New Covenants. The WCF seems to affirm unity with respect to the decalogue in particular with strong affirmations with respect to the third use of the Law. The NT seems clear when it speaks of the difference between the Old and New Covenants and the liberty from the Old. Yet the 10 Words appear to have relevance in the current age. It cannot be disputed that in the economy of the New Covenant period that the church at large and the individual christian has ethical/moral responsibilities. Yet these responsibilies are laid at our feet as a path to walk in a different manner. The law of love is to motivate and guide us. Lee Irons has written about the Moral Will of God and perhaps expresses our relationship to it in the differing redemptive economies very well.

Natural Law

Natural Law is part of the created order of things. It is covenantal in that all of creation exists in relation to our Creator. It is intrinsic rather than extrinsic to creation. Humanity is created in God's image. This image is covenantal and is expressed in both our official ontic nature and in our relational character. The imago dei manifests itself in the three fold office of prophet, priest, and king. Our fall in Adam corrupted this image. The Image remains as does the intrinsic nature of the covenant; however, all of creation including mankind is under the weight of the curse of the original covenant made with Adam. The Law of the Covenant still exists, and humanity continues to be accountable to to Him through it; but man twists the covenantal relationship to suit his own corrupt purposes.

God graciously re-established the creation mandate after the fall and humanity multiplied and filled the earth. The kingdom of man developed into cities. Cities were formed and culture developed in such a way as to restrain evil and maintain order and enable humanity to engage in cultural development. The culture at large was far from Godly however and degenerated. The judgment of God followed; yet, God graciously preserved a family in Noah. Following judgment, God established his covenant with all of creation and called upon the remnant of humanity to multiply and be fruitful. The events surrounding the Oracles of Noah regarding his son's and their descendants set in motion the history of cultural differntiation. God's blessing and curse would accompany the historic unfolding of the nations developed from this family.