All Articles For Two Covenants, Two Schools

Prof. Dykstra is professor of Church History and New Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. Every builder will testify that the foundation of a building is of crucial importance for the building as a whole. The foundation not only determines the size and the shape of the building, but affects its value and longevity. A well-constructed building on a sure foundation should stand strong and function well in the purpose for which it was constructed. The foundation of the Christian school (not the school building, now, but the school itself) is likewise crucial. The foundation of the school will reflect...

Prof. Dykstra is professor of Church History and New Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. The two different covenants compared and contrasted in the last installment are the conditional and the unconditional covenants. By the unconditional covenant of grace is meant the relationship of friendship that God sovereignly establishes with Christ (eternally) as the Mediator and Head of the covenant, and in Christ with all the elect. This covenant is not merely a means unto salvation, but is the very goal of God, namely everlasting covenant fellowship with His people. God establishes His covenant unilaterally with His chosen in the...

Prof. Dykstra is professor of Church History and New Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. God’s covenant of grace not only determines how God deals with His people, but by it God forms a real relationship with His people. This same covenant determines the place of children in the church and in the homes of believers. It is evident, then, that the particular view of the covenant held by parents and teachers will regulate the instruction, yes, even the character of the Christian school. The theology of the conditional covenant is that God establishes His covenant with every baptized child...