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Covenant Theology
Covenant Theology (Or Federal Theology), elaboration of the doctrines of Calvinism, which became as important in New England as the original teaching. Developed in the writings of the English Puritans William Perkins and William Ames, and in those of early New England ministers, the Covenant Theology held that God promised Adam and his posterity eternal life, in return for obedience to moral law. After Adam broke this covenant of works, a new one was made with Abraham, this one a covenant of grace, requiring of man an active faith and indicating that man must still have reason and the ability to struggle toward moral perfection. Although this doctrine does not deny that God rejects or elects souls according to His pleasure, it softens the Calvinist statement of predestination by substituting for the divine decree a juridical relationship between man and God. Punishment for sin is considered not an inherent pollution but a judicial sentence of expulsion. During the Great Awakening, Jonathan Edwards repudiated the Covenant Theology to return to orthodox Calvinism.
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Cite this article
James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Covenant Theology." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Covenant Theology." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-CovenantTheology.html James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Covenant Theology." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-CovenantTheology.html |
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Federal Theology
Federal Theology, see Covenant Theology.
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Cite this article
James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Federal Theology." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Federal Theology." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-FederalTheology.html James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Federal Theology." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-FederalTheology.html |
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