My journey to understanding the "Law of Christ" has been a winding one. Coming out of Shepherd’s Chapel in 2011, after years of clinging to their unorthodox teachings, I found myself drawn to the clarity of Reformed Baptist theology. It gave me structure—a way to make sense of Scripture through the lens of God’s sovereignty and grace. But by 2016, something shifted. New Covenant Theology (NCT) started to resonate deeply, offering a perspective that felt both freeing and faithful to the Bible’s story. When I read about the "Law of Christ" in Galatians 6:2, it wasn’t just a phrase—it became a window into a new way of living in Christ. Let me unpack what the Law of Christ means to me now, through the lens of NCT, shaped by my journey from Reformed Baptist roots.
NCT, Law, and the Book of James.
New Covenant Theology (NCT) offers a compelling framework for understanding the relationship between law and grace. NCT emphasizes that believers under the New Covenant are no longer bound by the Mosaic Law but are guided by the law of Christ, fulfilled through love and the Spirit’s work in us. The Book of James, with its frequent references to the "law," might seem at first glance to challenge this view, particularly for those who lean toward legalism or other theological systems like Dispensationalism or Covenant Theology. However, through my study of James, I’ve come to see it as a powerful ally for NCT, offering a perspective that aligns with the freedom and responsibility of the New Covenant. Below, I’ll explore key passages in James that mention the "law" and reflect on how they support NCT’s core convictions.
Lordship Salvation
For years, I embraced Lordship Salvation, the belief that saving faith includes trusting Jesus for salvation and submitting to Him as Lord, with obedience as evidence. I deeply respect those who hold this view, like the late John MacArthur, and their passion for honoring Christ’s authority. They often point to verses like Matthew 7:21 (“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven”) or James 2:17 (“Faith without works is dead”) to show that true faith transforms lives. I understand their heart—none of us want a faith that’s all talk and no action. But over time, I began questioning Lordship Salvation. It shifted my focus to my works and performance, leaving me anxious about whether I was “doing enough” to prove my faith. Through New Covenant Theology (NCT) and Calvinism, I found a perspective that anchors me in Christ’s finished work and the gift of faith. Here’s why I moved away from Lordship Salvation, shared with gratitude for those who see it differently.
The "Soon" and "Near" Passages of Revelation
The Book of Revelation has always been a draw to me. After leaving Shepherd's Chapel for years I wrestled with its meaning, flipping through different interpretations, until I stumbled across Partial Preterism. This view, especially when seen through the lens of New Covenant Theology, clicked for me in a way others hadn’t. It’s not just about decoding symbols—it’s about understanding a massive shift in God’s story, from the Old Covenant to the New, sealed by the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. Let me walk you through why the “soon” and “near” passages in Revelation grabbed my heart and convinced me this perspective holds water.
My Journey with New Covenant Theology
I’ve always been captivated by the way the Bible weaves together one grand story of God’s love for His people, and for me, New Covenant Theology (NCT) has been a transformative lens for seeing that story clearly. My journey with NCT began in 2016, after a significant shift in my spiritual life. Until 2011, I was deeply involved with Shepherd’s Chapel, a heretical church based in Gravette, Arkansas, known for its unorthodox teachings like the Serpent Seed doctrine and denial of the Trinity. Introduced to it by my grandfather in the late 1980s, I followed its teachings passionately for over two decades, but by 2009, doubts crept in. Through independent Bible study, I left Shepherd’s Chapel in 2011, and when I discovered NCT five years later, it was like finding a clear path that brought Jesus into sharp focus, showing how everything in Scripture points to Him and the New Covenant He established. I want to share why NCT resonates so deeply with me, especially compared to Covenant Theology (CT) and Dispensationalism, which I’ve grappled with along the way.
Man of Sin and Restrainer of 2nd Thessalonians
When reading 2nd Thessalonians 2, I was struck by its vivid imagery—the "man of sin," the "mystery of iniquity," and the looming Day of the Lord. It felt like a puzzle, one that carried weighty implications for how I understand God’s work in history. As I’ve wrestled with this chapter through a Partial Preterist and New Covenant Theology lens, I’ve come to see it as a powerful story of God’s judgment and grace, rooted in the first-century world of Nero, Claudius, and the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. Let me share what I’ve learned and why it matters to me.
Daniel's 70 Weeks
Coming from a Shepherd’s Chapel background, I was taught to see Bible prophecy through a unique lens, often emphasizing a literal and dispensational approach to Scripture. But when I dug into Daniel’s 70 weeks in Daniel 9:24–27, my perspective began to shift. This prophecy, given to Daniel around 539 BC, lays out a 490-year plan for God’s redemption—a plan I now believe points directly to Jesus as the Messiah. Embracing a Partial Preterist view and New Covenant Theology (NCT), I’ve come to see this passage as not just a historical timeline but a powerful testament to the inspiration of Scripture and a bridge for sharing the gospel with Jewish friends. Let me share why this prophecy has become so meaningful to me.
Matthew 24 Olivet Discourse
When I first read Matthew 24, the Olivet Discourse, it felt like Jesus was pulling back the curtain on something massive. He’s sitting with his disciples, answering their questions about the temple’s destruction, his return, and the end of the age. It’s intense, cosmic, and a little overwhelming. My early understanding was shaped by my time with Shepherd’s Chapel, where I was taught a premillennial view, expecting a literal thousand-year reign of Christ after a future tribulation. That framework made the passage feel like a distant, apocalyptic checklist. But over time, my perspective shifted dramatically as I embraced Partial Preterism and New Covenant Theology (NCT). These lenses have completely reshaped how I understand Jesus’ words, making them both historically grounded and deeply personal. It’s like finding a key that unlocks the connection between prophecy, history, and faith in a way that feels alive and transformative. Let me walk you through what I’ve learned and how this journey has changed me.
My Journey with the Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation has long captivated my imagination with its vivid imagery and enigmatic symbols. In my earlier years as a believer, influenced by Shepherd’s Chapel and Premillennialism, I approached Revelation as a complex prophecy of distant future events. Over time, however, my perspective has shifted profoundly. Through the framework of Partial Preterism and New Covenant Theology, I now see Revelation as a text deeply rooted in the first-century context, particularly the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. This view has illuminated the beauty of the New Covenant established by Christ and convinced me that Revelation was written before 70 AD. Allow me to share how this interpretation has shaped my understanding and why it resonates so deeply with me.
The Millennium in Revelation: A Partial Preterist Perspective
As I have studied Revelation 20:1-6, the “thousand years” has become a topic of deep contemplation and theological inquiry for me. Through the lens of Partial Preterism and New Covenant Theology, I find the most compelling interpretation to be that the Millennium represents a symbolic period—the church age beginning after the pivotal events of 70 AD and extending until Christ’s return. However, I have also considered the possibility of a literal 1,000-year period, approximately from 70 AD to 1070 AD, though I acknowledge certain exegetical challenges that require further exploration. Both perspectives affirm the future return of Christ and a bodily resurrection, which I see as foundational to the New Covenant’s promise of redemption through Christ.
My Thoughts on Partial Preterism Through an NCT lens.
Let’s talk about Partial Preterism, a way of understanding biblical prophecies that’s really resonated with me, especially when paired with New Covenant Theology (NCT). It’s like seeing the Bible’s end-times passages in a new light, making sense of what Jesus and the apostles were saying. I’ll walk you through what this perspective is, why it feels so grounded, and how it shapes my faith today.