The Binding of God: Calvin's Role in the Development of Covenant Theology

by Peter A. Lillback

Overview

After tracing the historical development of the covenant idea, Lillback carefully examines the writings of Calvin for evidence and description of Calvin's covenant thought. He ultimately argues that Calvin developed an extensive covenant theology.

The Binding of God provides important background to current theological discussions, such as modes of baptism and Paul and the law. It will be of significance to scholars of the Reformation and the sixteenth century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801022630
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/01/2001
Series:	Texts and Studies in Reformation and Post-Reformation Thought
Pages:	332
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.69(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Peter A. Lillback (Ph.D., Westminster Theological Seminary) is president and adjunct professor of historical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary and professor of church history at Reformed Episcopal Seminary, both located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

	Series Preface	9
	Acknowledgments	11
1	Conflicting Interpretations of Calvin's Use of the Covenant	13
Part 1	The Genesis of Covenant Theology: The Conception of the Covenant in Calvin's Historical Context
2	The Covenant Idea in Late Medieval Society and Theology	29
3	The Covenant in the Theology of Martin Luther	58
4	The Emergence of the Covenant Idea in the Zurich and Strassburg Reformations	81
5	The Exegesis of the Covenant in Genesis 17: The Hermeneutical Watershed between Wittenberg and the Swiss Reformations	110
Part 2	The Genius of Calvin's Covenant Thought
6	Calvin's Conception of the Covenant	126
7	Continuity and Discontinuity in Calvin's History of the Covenant	142
8	Calvin's View of the Mutuality and Conditionality of the Covenant	162
9	Christ and the Covenantal Benefits of Salvation	176
10	The Agreement of Law and Gospel in the Covenant of Mercy: Calvin's Use of the Scholastics' Covenant of Acceptance	194
11	Covenant, Predestination, and Hypocrisy in Calvin's Theology	210
12	Covenant-Breaking, Reformation, and Resistance	231
13	The Covenantal Context of the Sacraments	242
14	Covenant-Keeping and the Christian Life	264
15	Is There a Covenant of Works in Calvin's Theology?	276
16	Conclusion	305
	Bibliography	313
	Index	325