Renewing Your Mind Podcast Summary Episode: The Covenant
Release Date: February 16, 2025
Host: Nathan W. Bingham
Guest Speaker: R.C. Sproul

Introduction

In the February 16, 2025 episode of Renewing Your Mind, hosted by Nathan W. Bingham, R.C. Sproul delves into the profound concept of the Covenant as it weaves throughout the narrative of biblical redemption. This episode explores the foundational covenants God established with humanity and their significance in understanding salvation and justification.

The Structure of Biblical Covenants

R.C. Sproul begins by outlining the basic structure of biblical redemption, emphasizing that from Genesis through Revelation, God's relationship with creation is consistently framed within covenants. He identifies a series of key covenants:

1. Adamic Covenant (Covenant of Creation): Established with Adam and Eve, representing the entire human race.
2. Noahic Covenant: Renewal post-flood.
3. Abrahamic Covenant: The promise made to Abraham and his descendants.
4. Mosaic Covenant (Law): Dictated by Moses.
5. Davidic Covenant: Assurance of an everlasting kingdom through David.
6. New Covenant: Initiated by Jesus during the Lord's Supper.

"When we look at the whole history of biblical redemption... the structure of covenant is of supreme importance." (01:16)

The Adamic Covenant: Works vs. Grace

Sproul distinguishes between the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace:

• Covenant of Works: Presented to Adam, where obedience to God's commands (the Law) would result in blessing, and disobedience would bring curse (death). This covenant was universal, binding all of humanity.

• Covenant of Grace: Initiated after the fall, emphasizing salvation through faith in Jesus Christ rather than adherence to the Law.

He emphasizes that despite debates within evangelical circles, maintaining this distinction is crucial for understanding salvation.

"The distinction between the covenant of works and covenant of grace has been heavily attacked... it is critical to our understanding of the whole plan of salvation." (07:45)

The Fall and the First Act of Grace

Sproul recounts the Genesis narrative, highlighting Adam and Eve's disobedience and the ensuing consequences:

• Immediate Impact: Awareness of nakedness, shame, and separation from God.
• God’s Response: Provision of animal skins to cover their shame, symbolizing the first act of grace.

This act foreshadows the continual pattern of God covering human sin through sacrificial blood, culminating in Christ's atonement.

"That is pure, unvarnished grace... our shame is removed from the gaze of God and we are welcomed into his family." (12:30)

Justification: Faith and Works

Addressing the doctrine of justification by faith alone, Sproul acknowledges its importance but clarifies its relationship with works:

• Justification by Faith: Salvation is not earned by adhering to the Law.
• Role of Works: The Covenant of Works remains intact; justification ultimately relies on Christ's perfect obedience to fulfill the Law on behalf of humanity.

"You’re justified by works... but the issue is whose works? It’s not my works, it’s not your works. By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified except Jesus." (20:15)

Paul’s Argument in Galatians

Sproul examines Paul's exposition in Galatians, emphasizing that the Law does not annul God's earlier covenant with Abraham:

• Unchanging Promise: God's covenant with Abraham is irrevocable, sealed by His very character.
• Purpose of the Law: Introduced 430 years after Abraham, the Law served to highlight transgressions until the promised Messiah arrived.
• Universality of Sin: Without the Law, sin and death would not have reigned as they did from Adam to Moses.

"So Paul is saying there had to have been law before Moses ever came around, otherwise nobody would have died." (22:10)

The Law as a Mirror

Sproul explains that the Law functions as a mirror, reflecting God's perfection and humanity's sinfulness. It reveals our inability to achieve righteousness on our own and points us to the necessity of Christ's redemptive work.

"When you stare for one second into the mirror of the law and you know you’re guilty... the law will never save you." (22:45)

Conclusion

R.C. Sproul concludes by reaffirming that the only hope for salvation lies in Christ, who perfectly fulfills the Covenant of Works on our behalf. The Law serves to underscore our need for grace, guiding us back to the promise made to Abraham and fulfilled in Jesus.

Notable Quotes

• On the Importance of Covenants:
  "The structure of covenant is of supreme importance when we come to the text of Scripture." (01:16)

• Distinguishing Works and Grace:
  "The distinction between the covenant of works and covenant of grace... is critical to our understanding of the whole plan of salvation." (07:45)

• First Act of Grace:
  "That is pure, unvarnished grace... our shame is removed from the gaze of God." (12:30)

• Justification by Faith and Works:
  "You’re justified by works... it’s not my works, it’s not your works. By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified except Jesus." (20:15)

• Purpose of the Law:
  "The law... was added because of transgressions until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made." (22:30)

• Law as a Mirror:
  "When you stare for one second into the mirror of the law and you know you’re guilty... the law will never save you." (22:45)

Final Thoughts

R.C. Sproul's exploration in this episode of Renewing Your Mind offers a comprehensive understanding of the biblical covenants and their pivotal role in God's redemptive plan. By distinguishing between the Covenants of Works and Grace, Sproul elucidates the path to salvation through Christ, affirming that while the Law reveals our sin, it is ultimately through Jesus' obedience that we are justified.

For listeners seeking a deeper dive into these theological concepts, additional resources and studies are available through renewingyourmind.org.