Imperishable Inheritance

Mark Karlberg wrote a book entitled Covenant Theology in Reformed Perspective with the subtitle that sums up the content of the book: Collected essays and book reviews in historical, biblical, and systematic theology. I have thoroughly enjoyed the book. I especially enjoy its contributions to historical and covenant theology. The Law/Gospel information is also commendable (he repudiates the trichotomized distinction of the law: moral, civil, and ceremonial).

An article I really enjoyed was an article on the role of Israel in Biblical typology. That is, Israel served a role as a "shadow" of a greater reality, and he comes out and flatly says that it is of Christ who those who partake are the true Israel.

"The Messiah revealed himself as the New Israel. In the imagery of the vine Jesus identified his person and mission with God's purposes of old (Jn 15:1; cf. Ps 80:8 ff.; Is 5:1-7). And as the New Man, Jesus called all nations and peoples into his spiritual household. By his death on the cross he made satisfaction for sin, removing the curse of the law that was standing against his people (Eph 2:14-18). The apostle Paul describes the transition from Old to New Covenant in terms of the death of the Old Man - typified by Israel under the law of Moses (Rom 6:1~7:13).16 The law as Israel's schoolmaster has terminated with the coming of Christ (10:4; Gal 3:23-4:7). In contrast to the shadowy form of OT revelation, Jesus reveals the fullness of God's self-revelation. The law came by Moses; grace and truth came in Jesus Christ (Jn 1:17; cf. Heb 8:13; 10:1)." (pg. 197)

I enjoyed the article so much I extracted it from the online version and placed it here for easy access: "The Significance of Israel in Biblical Typology" from Covenant Theology in Reformed Perspective by Mark Karlberg