Covenant Joel
Puritan Board Sophomore
Some time ago (probably a couple of years at this point), I recommended Far as the Curse is Found by Michael Williams as a helpful book on covenant theology as I really enjoyed reading it during college. Several on that thread suggested that it had numerous problems, one of which being that he defined covenant as relationship instead of pact/agreement. I mulled over that, wrote a paper on his view of the covenant of works in comparison to Berkhof and Robertson, but recently, as I've begun studying for licensure and ordination, I've been coming back to the question. I was also reminded of the importance of the Covenant of Works some months ago as I fairly extensively researched N.T. Wright's views on justification for a paper, so that reminded me of the question regarding Williams' views again.
So...if you go to The Meaning of Covenant on my blog, you'll see a little table with definitions of covenant from various authors (beginning with Witsius and ending with Williams). So here's my question, which I'm hoping some of you can help me think through somewhat.
Both Horton, Frame, and Williams use "relationship" to define covenant (though, technically, Williams says we can't quite achieve an exact definition, so he describes it instead). However, I have never (though this could simply be due to ignorance) heard anyone express a problem with Horton's basic definition of covenant, whereas some seem quite concerned about Williams' definition/description. In fact, it seems like Horton and Williams have quite a bit of similarity in their definitions. Can anyone explain why/why not each one is acceptable?
Lastly, I get that not all covenants are between God and man. But many of the definitions seem to directly be referring to the definition of covenant within the context of God's covenant with man, rather than covenants between man and man, or covenants with one's eyes, etc. So I'd prefer that the comments be restricted to discussing the validity of the definitions with regard to the covenant between God and man (unless you feel the need to explain further why it is significant to define it in a way that applies to man-man and God-man covenants).
It would be particularly helpful to me to hear from those of you that have read both Horton and Williams.
Lastly, just to be clear, I'm not asking this to bait anyone. I'm genuinely trying to understand all of these things well, and I'd genuinely appreciate any insight that you al might like to share on this.
So...if you go to The Meaning of Covenant on my blog, you'll see a little table with definitions of covenant from various authors (beginning with Witsius and ending with Williams). So here's my question, which I'm hoping some of you can help me think through somewhat.
Both Horton, Frame, and Williams use "relationship" to define covenant (though, technically, Williams says we can't quite achieve an exact definition, so he describes it instead). However, I have never (though this could simply be due to ignorance) heard anyone express a problem with Horton's basic definition of covenant, whereas some seem quite concerned about Williams' definition/description. In fact, it seems like Horton and Williams have quite a bit of similarity in their definitions. Can anyone explain why/why not each one is acceptable?
Lastly, I get that not all covenants are between God and man. But many of the definitions seem to directly be referring to the definition of covenant within the context of God's covenant with man, rather than covenants between man and man, or covenants with one's eyes, etc. So I'd prefer that the comments be restricted to discussing the validity of the definitions with regard to the covenant between God and man (unless you feel the need to explain further why it is significant to define it in a way that applies to man-man and God-man covenants).
It would be particularly helpful to me to hear from those of you that have read both Horton and Williams.
Lastly, just to be clear, I'm not asking this to bait anyone. I'm genuinely trying to understand all of these things well, and I'd genuinely appreciate any insight that you al might like to share on this.