COVENANT – A PROPER VIEW OF SCRIPTURE
Let us always be aware of the fact that we subconsciously accept many things as true, because we have been “conditioned” to believe these concepts by our culture, family heritage and traditions, etc. One of these is our view of Scripture. I personally feel that it is very unfortunate that our Bibles are printed in two separate and distinct sections, i.e., the “Old Testament” and the “New Testament.” Even the word “Testament” is somewhat misleading in that it does not convey the true “heart” of what these collections of writings are. A testament is thought of by most Americans as that which is left regarding one’s estate or worldly assets, because they have most often heard the word in conjunction with one’s “last will and testament.” Testament is a Middle English word that is from the Late Latin testamentum which literally means “covenant with God.” This, in turn, is from the earlier Latin form of testari which means “to be a witness” or “call one to witness.”
Ah, Covenant! Now there is a word to sink one’s teeth into! Covenant is a reciprocal, binding, irrevocable, and life-long promise (pledge) attested to by witnesses and sealed by the shedding of blood. Covenant is the very heart and soul of our relationship with God. God has reached out to fallen mankind and called us to Himself. He has initiated His Eternal Covenant with us, and it is more than salvation (redemption); it is the intimate relationship of a husband and wife who have spoken their vows. God has called us to be His Bride and His Covenant vows spoken to us are progressively and wondrously revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures.
Let us always be aware of the fact that we subconsciously accept many things as true, because we have been “conditioned” to believe these concepts by our culture, family heritage and traditions, etc. One of these is our view of Scripture. I personally feel that it is very unfortunate that our Bibles are printed in two separate and distinct sections, i.e., the “Old Testament” and the “New Testament.” Even the word “Testament” is somewhat misleading in that it does not convey the true “heart” of what these collections of writings are. A testament is thought of by most Americans as that which is left regarding one’s estate or worldly assets, because they have most often heard the word in conjunction with one’s “last will and testament.” Testament is a Middle English word that is from the Late Latin testamentum which literally means “covenant with God.” This, in turn, is from the earlier Latin form of testari which means “to be a witness” or “call one to witness.”
Ah, Covenant! Now there is a word to sink one’s teeth into! Covenant is a reciprocal, binding, irrevocable, and life-long promise (pledge) attested to by witnesses and sealed by the shedding of blood. Covenant is the very heart and soul of our relationship with God. God has reached out to fallen mankind and called us to Himself. He has initiated His Eternal Covenant with us, and it is more than salvation (redemption); it is the intimate relationship of a husband and wife who have spoken their vows. God has called us to be His Bride and His Covenant vows spoken to us are progressively and wondrously revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures.
(to be continued . . . .)
