The old promise and the New Covenant

Abstract

"One of the most important, yet most sensitive of all theological texts, is the new covenant theme of Jeremiah 31:31-34. Hardly has the exegesis of this passage begun when the interpreter discovers to his great delight and consternation that he is involved in some of the greatest theological questions of our day. No matter what he says, some evangelicals are bound to be scandalized because of their commitments either to a covenantal or dispensational understanding of theology. Nevertheless, the issues are too exciting and the passage is too important for a simple retreat to past theological battlelines. For one thing, God's action in historical events has made the contemporary evangelical too responsible and blameworthy for him to simply repeat the previous generation's theology. For another, too many excellent points have been made by both of the current evangelical schools of interpretation to abandon the attempt for a reproachment"