so I think that would be a good book that's actually dialoguing to some degree with with people like us he seems like the P type of person you would just sit down and happily talk to uh he's not mad about cover theology now earlier you had mentioned the view of Meredith Klein in terms of the the Covenant of the old Covenant being the Covenant of Works he's not alone in that so there were you know previous pay back that recognize that as well so in your experience when this is pointed out to a a Westminster pedal Baptist do they see the the the tension in other words the the Westminster does not treat the old Covenant as a covenant of works but as an administration of the Covenant of Grace how do they deal with that sort of discrepancy right so we do have to narrow uh the focus of what we're talking about so if we if we expand our scope beyond the Westminster Confession to the reformed tradition the idea that the Mosaic Covenant is not the Covenant of Grace but rather is some form of subservient subservient Covenant of works that would be standard fair and no one would really bat an ey no one would be bothered by that it would be just a part of the reformed tradition the the problem is that the Westminster Confession limits and specifically specifies to be redundantly redundant uh that the Mosaic Covenant is the Covenant of Grace in substance and so the Meredith Klein's views only become a problem within a Westminster confessional context where the diversity of the reformed tradition on covenant theology is not acceptable it's a particular slice and version of reformed covenant theology that's uh laid down in the Westminster Confession and they do see that tension that's why the OPC has had uh reports on public and you can read their long report and I believe an appended Minority Report on republication
Unpacking Covenant Theology: Tensions in Reformed Tradition
Summary
QaThe Westminster Confession's identification of the Mosaic Covenant as an administration of the Covenant of Grace creates a confessional tension for Westminster subscribers who hold Kline's republication view, even though similar positions were standard in the broader Reformed tradition.
The relationship between the Mosaic Covenant and the Covenant of Works has generated significant tension within Westminster confessional theology, particularly around Meredith Kline's view of republication. While the broader Reformed tradition has historically accommodated a range of positions — including treating the Mosaic Covenant as a subservient covenant of works — the Westminster Confession narrows that range by specifying the Mosaic Covenant as an administration of the Covenant of Grace, creating a confessional problem for those who hold Kline's position. This exchange examines how confessional Presbyterians (including paedobaptists) navigate the resulting tension, with reference to OPC reports on republication.
Key quotes
the Westminster Confession limits and specifically specifies, to be redundantly redundant, that the Mosaic Covenant is the Covenant of Grace in substance
Meredith Klein's views only become a problem within a Westminster confessional context where the diversity of the reformed tradition on covenant theology is not acceptable
it's a particular slice and version of reformed covenant theology that's laid down in the Westminster Confession
Questions this sermon answers
Does the Westminster Confession allow for the view that the Mosaic Covenant is a covenant of works?
No. The Westminster Confession specifically designates the Mosaic Covenant as the Covenant of Grace in substance, which is why Kline's republication view creates a confessional tension for Westminster subscribers even though similar views were common in the broader Reformed tradition.
Was Meredith Kline's view of republication unique in the Reformed tradition?
No. The idea that the Mosaic Covenant functions as some form of subservient covenant of works was standard in the broader Reformed tradition; the problem arises specifically within a Westminster confessional context that narrows acceptable positions.
How has the OPC addressed the republication controversy?
The OPC produced a formal report on republication, along with an appended minority report, which are publicly available for those studying the confessional dimensions of this debate.
Study notes
Confessions & catechisms
- Westminster Confession 7
Theological terms
- Covenant of Grace×2
- Covenant of Works×4
- Mosaic Covenant×4
- Republication×2
- Subservient Covenant×2
People cited
- Meredith Kline×3