Scottish National Covenant of 1638: History, Theology, Personality, and Content

Описание: I am Nathan Eshelman and I am the pastor of the Los Angeles, CA Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCNA). I am Master of Theology student at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary who is writing on the doctrine of covenanting and giving special attention to the Scottish National Covenant of 1638. In the paper being described I will focus my attention on four aspects of the National Covenant of 1638: It's History, Theology, Personality, and Content.

Covenanting Defined

“Covenanting with God is a solemn act of worship in which individuals, churches, or nations declare their acceptance of Him as their God and pledge allegiance and obedience to Him. Public covenanting is an appropriate response to the Covenant of Grace.” (RPCNA Directory of Worship)

The Biblical Rational for Covenanting

As we look at the National Covenant, we need to ask whether the Church and Nation in Scotland had a right to enter into such an agreement. I will argue that yes, they had a biblical right and obligation to enter into Covenant with God.

“Israel frequently responded to God by covenanting with Him to live in faithfulness to the covenant given through Moses (Josh. 24), or to bring about reform after apostasy (2 Chron. 15:12; 29:10; 34:29-32; Neh. 9: 38). These were solemn agreements between the people and God that they would observe His revealed law in particular circumstances in their day (Neh. 9:38; 10:29). Though these are covenants, they are to be distinguished from the covenants given by God to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Israel, David, and from the New Covenant.” (RP Testimony, 0.7)

“Throughout God’s Word social covenanting is associated with national reformations and revivals…. In those times of national repentance, covenanting was used by ecclesiastical and political leaders as well as the people to commit themselves fully to the Lord in all that he commanded them to do. A few examples of revival and reformation being associated with national conventing are found in the following portions of the history of God’s dealings in Israel:

2 Kings 11:17; 2 Kings 22:1-20; 2 Chron. 22:10-11; 2 Chron 23:1-21; 2 Chron 29: 1-12; 2 Chron 34:1-33