LOUISVILLE (PNS) – In the eighth installment of Theological Conversations for 2017, the Theology, Formation and Evangelism ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) presents Redeeming Covenant: A Critical Reflection on Puritan Covenant Theology, Democracy and Racism in the U.S.
Written by the Lewis B. Smedes Professor of Christian Ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary, Hak Joon Lee, Redeeming Covenant reflects on the influence Puritans had on theology, democracy and racism in the United States.
“During the anniversary year of Reformation 500, Lee draws our attention to the promise and pitfalls of covenant theology in the U.S., while we have just adopted The Belhar Confession,” says the Rev. Michelle J. Bartel, coordinator of Theological Education and Seminary Relations in the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
“It’s a great resource for us to consider our teaching on sin and forgiveness, while addressing the present and persistent problem of racism in our country and congregations.”
In Redeeming Covenant Lee examines the mistake Puritans made because of their inability to understand that the essence and core of covenant theology always has a liberating message. “Covenant theology is not racism,” he writes, “because it coincides with the basic narrative of the Bible that essentially moves to the axis of ‘liberation-restoration.’ In other words, it always has a structure from liberation to restoration.”
Bartel hopes Redeeming Covenant will help Presbyterians think about baptism, worship and other elements of our shared Christian life, “to renew and sustain us as Christ’s disciples who seek justice.” “Authentic grounding in covenant theology that reflects God promise for freedom,” she says, “provides a way to address racism’s religious origins in the founding of the U.S.”
To download Lee’s paper and other studies in the series visit the Theological Conversations webpage. Redeeming Covenant is available in its original Korean language , English and in Spanish.
by Paul Seebeck, Presbyterian News Service
