Separate covenants …

Christian Century, May 18, 2004 by Jon Rollefson

WHEN I READ Richard Kauffman's article, I nearly jumped with excitement ("Christians and Jews," March 23). I too believe that Jews and Christians live by two separate covenants, We know from Genesis that Abraham and his offspring were God's chosen people. Granted, the Jewish race has strayed throughout the centuries, but God has always redeemed them when they repented and came back to him. In Romans 11:26-29, Paul explained the irrevocability of this covenant with Israel. But in his letter he also proved the covenant of Christ with us Christians.

If the Jewish people accept the laws under the first covenant and obey them, are they not honoring the old covenant? And are we as Christians when we follow Jesus' commands to love God and love each other and ask for forgiveness--are we not following the new covenant Christ made with us? In either case, both covenants rely upon God's grace to justify us by faith because of our fallen human condition (Rom. 3:2.3).

I believe Kauffman's viewpoint has scriptural backing, and I would encourage him to expound upon it in future issues.

Jon Rollefson

Marion, Iowa