The Drama of Redemption (Lesson 2, Part 2)

This is a new Sunday School series which will be largely based on R. C. Sproul’s audio series The Drama of Redemption, available from his website.

See the sidebar for links to other lessons.

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§2.2 Covenant of Works?

Another term for the Covenant of Creation (between God and Adam and Eve) is the Covenant of Works. And it is true, that what is required from Adam and Eve to enjoy eternal life are works. The problem is that all the covenants that follow are under a single umbrella known as the Covenant of Grace. Therein lies the problem: if we have a Covenant of Works and a Covenant of Grace, it sends the message that the Covenant of Works is “graceless.” May it never be. Grace abounds in the Covenant of Works, for God was not obligated to enter into any covenant with Adam and Eve. He was within his rights to create them and tell them: “Good luck, you’re on your own.” But he graciously condescended into entering into a covenant with his creatures. Nevertheless, because of this, the term “Covenant of Creation” is preferred.

It should also be noted that:

1. The Covenant of Creation was between God and Adam and his descendants. That means everyone. There is no Jew, no Gentile, no Greek, no man, no woman, no Christian. Just people.
   
   
2. The covenant, though broken, was not annulled. While future covenants are with “chosen” people, such as Jews, all men are held accountable to God by this first covenant with all mankind. Some people are covenant breakers, and some are covenant keepers (because Christ kept it for us), but in any case there is no opting out.