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What is dual covenant theology?

dual covenant theology
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Dual covenant theology, also called two-covenant theology, posits that God has established a covenant with Israel through the Mosaic Law and another with Gentiles through Jesus Christ. Many Christians, especially in the Reformed Protestant tradition, believe the New Covenant superseded the Old Covenant. However, the moral law is “forever binding” (Dillehay, J., “3 Parts of the Law: A Case for Continuity of the Moral Law,” www.thegospelcoalition.org, 3/18/24, accessed 12/26/24). A minority position argues that the New Covenant abrogated the Old Covenant. According to dual covenant theology, however, the Old Covenant remains valid for Jews, and the New Covenant only applies to Gentiles.

Historical Context of Dual Covenant Theology

In the eighteenth century, Yaakov Emden, a German rabbi, opined that “the original intention of Jesus, and especially of Paul, was to convert only the Gentiles to the seven moral laws of Noah and to let the Jews follow the Mosaic law—which explains the apparent contradictions in the New Testament regarding the law of Moses and the Sabbath” (Hirsch, E., and Eisenstein, J., ed., “Gentile,” www.jewishencyclopedia.com, accessed 12/26/24).

In his book Star of Redemption, Franz Rosenzweig, a twentieth-century German theologian and philosopher, wrote, “Christianity acknowledges the God of the Jews, not as God but as ‘the Father of Jesus Christ.’ Christianity cleaves to the ‘Lord’ because it knows that the Father can be reached only through him. . . . We all agree on what Christ and his church mean to the world: no one can reach the Father save through him. No one can reach the Father! However, the situation is quite different for one who does not have to reach the Father because he is already with him. And this is true of the people of Israel” (quoted by Glatzer, N., Franz Rosenzweig: His Life and Thought, Schocken Books, 1961).

Key Tenets of Dual Covenant Theology

Distinct Covenants: The Old Covenant is “forever binding” for Jews and is separate from the New Covenant established by the blood of Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 31:31–34).

Salvation for Jews and Gentiles: Jews are saved by obeying the Mosaic Law, while Gentiles are saved by faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Romans 10:9–13).

Jewish Identity: Converting Jews to Christians undermines the integrity of God’s covenant with Israel.

Biblical Basis for Dual Covenant Theology

Abrahamic Covenant: In Genesis 17:7, God establishes a covenant with Abraham: “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” The Abrahamic Covenant is an “everlasting covenant” between God, Abraham, and Israel.

New Covenant: In Jeremiah 31:31–33, the Lord declares, “The days are coming . . . when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors . . . because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them.” This passage mentions Israel and Judah, but proponents of dual covenant theology argue that the New Covenant is for Gentiles (cf. Romans 11:11–24).

Paul’s View on Israel’s Salvation: In Romans 11:29, Paul writes, “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.” God’s covenant with Israel is still operative in the New Covenant era.

Theological Critiques of Dual Covenant Theology

Critics argue that dual covenant theology undermines the gospel. The gospel is for Jews and Gentiles, not Gentiles only (see Romans 1:16). Other objections include the following:

Christ’s Fulfillment of the Law: Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection fulfilled the Mosaic Law for Jews and Gentiles: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).

One Mediator: Jesus is the mediator between the Father and humanity: “There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

The Great Commission: Jesus commands believers to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19–20) and does not distinguish between Jews and Gentiles.

Dual covenant theology attempts to cultivate better relationships between Jews and Gentiles by rejecting anti-Semitism and replacement theology. However, when examined in the light of Scripture, dual covenant theology falls short. Christ saves Jews and Gentiles, not Gentiles only. Sinners cannot enter heaven unless they have faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

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This page last updated: January 28, 2025