Relation of Dispensationalism to Theology (6/12)

Part One
INTRODUCTION: 2 RELATION OF DISPENSATIONALISM TO THEOLOGY
A DISPENSATIONAL THEOLOGY
By Charles F Baker

This so-called Covenant of Works, which is a basic concept in Covenant Theology, is not to be found in Scripture. Berkhof admits that “it is perfectly true that no such promise is explicitly recorded,” and “it is perfectly true that Scripture contains no explicit promise of eternal life to Adam.”⁵ Cocceius and Turretin invented this teaching back in the seventeenth century and it has since become a dogma of the Reformed bodies. It is true that Adam’s obedience was tested by the command: “Thou shalt not eat of it,” (Genesis 2:17), but there is no suggestion that Adam had to earn eternal life. He was created with life. He was not created in a lost condition wherein he needed to obtain life. He had life as a gift from God, but his continuance in that life depended upon his obedience to God.

5            Berkhof, op. cit., pp, 21B, 216.

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