Federal Theology from the Reformation to c.1677
Calvin’s role as a federal theologian is controversial, but by 1584 federal theology was gaining prominence in the Rhineland, and was soon introduced into Scotland by Robert Rollock. The distinguishing feature of this approach was the positing of a prelapsarian covenant of works whereby Adam was promised eternal life in exchange for obedience to the natural law. When Adam fell, all humanity fell with him, and a new covenant, the covenant of grace, was instituted with sinful man. The first dispensation of this covenant was the covenant of the law while the second dispensation, which fulfilled the Mosaic covenant, was freely given to the elect through the redemptive work of Christ. Theologians such as David Dickson and Samuel Rutherford widely publicized the covenant of grace, and Rutherford was instrumental in preparing the way for personal covenanting whereby an individual, in response to the preaching of the Gospel, made an intimate avowal of Christ and promised obedience to him.