Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 13:40 (Dec 2009)
Article: Second Corinthians 3:6 And The Church’s Relationship To The New Covenant
Author: George A. Gunn

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Second Corinthians 3:6 And The Church’s Relationship To The New Covenant1

George A. Gunn, M.Div., D.D.

Dean of Admissions and Records,

Associate Professor of Biblical Languages and Church History,

Shasta Bible College & Graduate School

Dispensationalists regard the distinction between Israel and the church to be of fundamental importance. Likewise, the question of how the church relates to Israel’s covenants must be fundamentally important. If there is “overlap” between Israel and the church in the area of Israel’s covenants, then perhaps dispensationalism is based upon a faulty foundation. Consequently, this is a crucial issue, not a peripheral one.

Purpose Of This Article

The purpose of this article is to investigate the hermeneutical issues involved in the interpretation of 2 Corinthians 3:6 in light of how the church is related to the new covenant. Obviously there is a broader theological discussion that must take into consideration numerous other biblical references; therefore, this article’s purpose will be more limited in scope. The principal goal will be to focus on the matter of authorial intent and how the initial audience (the first century Corinthian congregation) may have been expected to understand 2 Corinthians 3:6.2

The relationship of the church to the new covenant has long been a point of considerable theological discussion among dispensationalists.3 God’s

JODT 13:40 (December 2009) p. 26

program for Israel’s future on the millennial earth is rooted in the four unconditional, eternal covenants: Abrahamic, land (a.k.a. “Palestinian”4), Davidic, and new. These covenants, made between God and national Israel, describe God’s administrative/dispensational program for Israel’s millennial existence. Traditional dispensationalists believe that God has a separate and distinct administrative/dispensational program for the church. These distinct programs for Israel and the church have led dispensationalists historically to reject covenant theology’s view that the church has become the new replacement party to these covenants. Nevertheless, because the New Testament Scriptures make multiple references to the new covenant, both covenant theologians and many dispensationalists have argued for some degree of participation by the church in the new covenant.

Theological Issues

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