The Covenant: A Theology of Human Destiny

Why does God speak to human beings? Is it to impart information? Is it to unveil the secret of His Being? Is it to pronounce judgment? When we probe deeply into these questions, the author contends, we find that God does not speak to mortals simply to satisfy their curiosity or sense of guilt. He speaks to his people in order to establish with them a personal, covenantal relationship. God reassures them, He claims them for Himself, He gives Himself to humankind, He holds on to them as a Father to an unruly child. The covenant as a theological category opens up the whole aspect of human destiny and puts mortals and creation in a new perspective. This doctrine is so fundamental to theological reasoning, the author argues, that we may describe it as the axiom of biblical faith. From this axiom he goes on to define such other biblical themes and doctrines as the relation between evil and sin; the "plan" meaning, and time of salvation; the fall, the cross, and the sacraments; the covenant as creation and as revelation; history as a moral testing ground; Christ as the End of time; and the new age.