Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 66:3 (Sep 2023)
Article: “You Shall Dwell In The Land”: Covenantal And Dispensational Hermeneutics Behind Land Promise Fulfillment
Author: Daniel Zeunert

JETS 66:3 (September 2023) p. 553

“You Shall Dwell In The Land”: Covenantal And Dispensational Hermeneutics Behind Land Promise Fulfillment

Daniel Zeunert*

^* Daniel Zeunert is an academic tutor at Ridley College, 170 The Avenue, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. He may be contacted at [email protected].

Abstract: The hermeneutics used across the biblical-theological spectrum are key to parsing out differences between covenantal and dispensational systems. The spectrum of biblical-theological systems is cast in terms of continuity to discontinuity from covenant theology, to progressive covenantalism, to progressive dispensationalism, to traditional dispensationalism. Differences in testamental priority and typology prove to be key differences between these systems. Different views on testamental priority result from the amount of continuity and discontinuity seen between the Old and New Testaments. Different views on the function of typology also affect interpretive outcomes within biblical-theological systems. These differences in hermeneutics are pivotal in the various interpretations of Old Testament land promises, and further development of biblical-theological systems may be required after recognizing these differences.

Key words: biblical theology, hermeneutics, typology, covenant theology, dispensationalism, land promises

All who research and study in the field of biblical theology are confronted with the perplexing question of why scholars disagree. How can Christians who believe the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God come to different conclusions about how the Scriptures fit together? How biblical-theological systems of interpretation differ can be shown in their underlying hermeneutics. In the American theological landscape and beyond, covenantal and dispensational theologies have historically been two major ways of understanding the Bible as a whole. The number of commonly engaged biblical-theological systems has increased in recent decades to include progressive covenantalism and progressive dispensationalism, creating even more discussion, much of which has revolved around the hermeneutics of these systems.

For instance, consider this example of how decisive hermeneutics is in determining the interpretation of land promises:

JETS 66:3 (September 2023) p. 554