• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.613-626
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• 2020

This study reconsiders covenant theology through the relationship between law and grace. In order to do this, it first evaluates whether the Sinaitic Covenant is a covenant of grace or a covenant of works. This has been in discussion for a long period of time among theologians, yet is far from settled. Traditional studies form a wide spectrum, which can be divided into at least four major branches. First, the Sinaitic Covenant is the same as the covenant of grace. Second, the Sinaitic Covenant is the same as the covenant of works. Third, the Sinaitic Covenant forms a third, independent category of covenant. Fourth, the Sinaitic Covenant exists in harmony with the covenant of grace. Each category is summarized along with its representative proponents. Also, even though the term covenant of works is not accepted as prevalently among modern theologians, observations is made on how each category connects to and continues in modern theological discussions regarding law. Special emphasis is given to the fourth category and the fourth perspective on law with respect to how they differ from the others in viewing the relationship between law and gospel. Moreover, recognizing that the unique understanding of the fourth view grows out of a careful observation of the Biblical text, the structural similarities between the Sinaitic Covenant and other Biblical covenants are compared based on the Biblical text. Based on this comparison, it is observed that God's grace and human duty coexist in several Bible covenants including the Sinaitic and New Testament covenants. From this observation, it is proved that conditionality regarding covenant fulfillment exists in them all. This conditionality does not entail from exclusiveness on the part of God, but from the weakness on the part of humans. However, some unconditional covenants, albeit few in number, can be found in the Bible. Therefore, the difference between unconditional covenants and conditional covenants is discussed. Lastly, the proper place and role of grace in covenants is studied.