For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22)

So then, as through one offense the result was condemnation to all mankind, so also through one act of righteousness the result was justification of life to all mankind. For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:18-19)

The Covenant Theology is based mainly on Paul’s words in Romans 5:18-19. The Covenant theologians insist that Christ received the same condition as Adam did in the garden of Eden. They believe that Christ’s obedience to the Law obtained eternal life. Thus, they make the source of our eternal life the Law, not the resurrection of Christ. They miss the fact the purpose of all creation including the heavens and the earth is the kingdom. Their theory is focused on one’s eternal life as if Christ came only to save them from eternal damnation. From the beginning of His public ministry, Christ proclaimed the coming kingdom. Saving His people was a first step for the kingdom. The Covenant theologians see the cross only as forgiveness of sins and lead people to believe that Adam before the fall was perfect because he was sinless and righteous. Earlier I explained that Adam’s righteousness was mere uprightness. It appears that they want us to take the burden of the original sin because they insist Adam could have not sinned if he had tried. Many Protestant ministers and theologians have emphasized the beautiful life that Adam had in the garden of Eden. I do not think Adam had the beautiful life as they think he had. Adam was made as a slave who does not know God’s business. Iranaeus, the student of Polycarp who was a student of apostle John, believed that Adam was made immature. The original man and woman were made immature so that they and their descendants get fully matured through Christ. Therefore, we must not embellish Adam’s life in the garden of Eden. In the Bible, there is no mention of Adam walking with God as His friend. The beautiful life of Adam was invented by people who want to divert our focus to the law and punishment from the kingdom. Salvation must not be explained without the kingdom because Christ came for the kingdom.

As I previously mentioned, their theory leads to salvation of all mankind, which the Bible rejects. And reading Paul’s letters, one might conclude that Christ saves all mankind. If so, faith is not a gift from God. Salvation is up to one’s decision to have faith in God. If so, we are obligated to convert everyone to Christianity. Looking at the history after the English civil war in the 17^th century, that is what many Protestants believed inside – salvation of all mankind by works. It is not surprising that the Methodist church started in England. When I say “works”, it is not just about keeping the Law but also believing God from one’s own initiatives. Therefore, it is not surprising to see that all Protestant churches, even the Reformed, focus on one’s will and efforts. Those who follow the traditions of the 17^th century Reformed religion still think they can persuade people to believe in God. I think the movement is flourishing when I see what the Gospel Coalition (TGC) is doing. There are other Protestant churches, especially the Reformed Baptist churches, that use the same tactics that the 17th century ministers used to convince many. Aggressive church planting does not increase the number of the saints because the number was set before creation. All these Christian organizations and churches want is money and fame.

Paul was given a task of building visible churches in Asia. He was sent to the Gentiles who had never heard of God of Israel or Christ. God gave Paul the heart of love towards the Gentiles. Paul also tried to convince the Jews. The Book of Acts tells us about the wonderful history of the birth of Christianity. We are excited to read that many people became Christians. And the ministers and theologians emphasize the wonderful works of God written in the Book of Acts. We must remember that the conversion of many happened because God wanted to expand the visible church quickly. The miracles we read do not happen now because they are no longer needed. After that period, the whole Europe followed Christianity. God did the expansion of visible churches again after the Reformation. So, Christianity was preached beyond Europe. Almost all tribes and nations have the Bible in their own languages. However, not all who are called Christians are the saints.

When I was in a Reformed Church, I attended a Bible study session. In our group, there were four elders, including the minister. While reading a passage, an elder questioned the meaning of it. I don’t remember which verse it was. But I remember answering him saying that not all in the visible church are saved but only those who have received the Holy Spirit. Surprisingly, the elder was shocked to hear what I said. He believed that he and all his family and friends in the church were saved. Everyone looked at the minister to say something. And he agreed to what I said. His face turned red and kept saying, “I think” as he explained the difference between the visible church and the invisible church. While I was in the church, I was accused of being theologically wrong by the elders. The minister knew that I was not wrong but did not support me, probably because he wanted to keep his job. I think he was the one without legs in my dream.

Expansion of visible churches was God’s will. The church history is the mirror image to the Israel’s history in the OT. As Israel went to exile, the visible church will go into exile. The church era is ending because God wants us to eagerly seek the coming kingdom. The earthly tabernacle must be destroyed again and again.

I think Paul focused on preaching the good news of salvation. And the Reformers relied heavily on Paul’s letters. The Reformation focused on one’s salvation. It is not surprising to see that the Protestant ministers do not talk about the kingdom. Actually, the word, kingdom, is stolen by other cult religions. The word, Holy Spirit, is also stolen by heretics. The Reformed church ministers who claim to hold the Reformed doctrines hardly use those words at the pulpit. Their focus is not the kingdom. Their understanding of the Holy Spirit is shallow. If their understanding of the Bible is from Paul’s words, does it mean that Paul had the same understandings as they do? I do not think so. But Paul’s words must be interpreted with all the truths written in the Bible in mind. Interpreting his words literally pose a risk of misinterpretation. Paul himself denies faith that comes from one’s own initiatives.

…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will… (Ephesians 1:4-5)

If Paul indeed believed salvation of all mankind, then he is not an apostle but a heretic. It’s because God said repeatedly that He would save some and destroy others.

And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32)

God made Paul a highly educated man from youth unlike the disciples of Christ because he was given the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles who were affected by human philosophies and wisdom. The Gentiles in Asia were influenced by Greek culture and religions. Paul had the ability to argue with the Greek philosophers because he had much education. For the same or a similar reason, God appointed Luther and Calvin who had learnt theology and the law at universities. This does not mean one must learn theology like they did to talk about theology. God wanted all to learn about Him and made the Reformers to write confessions and catechisms. However, they have limits because the Reformation focused mainly on one’s salvation, not the kingdom. That task is given to us living in the third reformation.

Despite the teachings of the apostles, the early church leaders such as Paul of Samosata of Antioch and Sabellius of Alexandria had wrong understandings of Christ. This means that most have misinterpreted the apostle’s writings and held heretical teachings as orthodox. It is believed that the Book of John was written much later than the other three books – Matthew, Mark, and Luke. John emphasizes the deity of Christ. I assume that this was because there was a strong need for people to learn about the deity of Christ. Paul of Samosata denied Christ as God and Arius was his student. The Islam is believed to be rooted in Arianism.

Was it because of Paul’s writings that people denied Trinity and the two natures of Christ? It was not because Paul had wrong understandings of God. But people misinterpreted and misunderstood the apostle’s writings. Even now, people reject truths while quoting his words. Only by the Holy Spirit, one can hold true faith coming from true knowledge of God.

Paul now and then spoke of his own opinions and wrote in human terms. One must be careful not to interpret his words literally.

I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. (Romans 6:19)

True theology requires the understanding of the whole Bible from the beginning to the end. It is the inspired words of God. One must remember this truth: GOD DOES NOT CHANGE.

In time of old You founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. Even they will perish, but You endure; all of them will wear out like a garment; like clothing You will change them and they will pass away. But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end. (Psalm 102:25-27)

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. (James 1:17)