Covenant (religion)

In Abrahamic religions, a covenant is a formal alliance or agreement made by God with that religious community or with humanity in general. This sort of covenant is an important concept in Judaism and Christianity, derived in the first instance from the biblical covenant tradition.

An example of a covenant relationship in Judaism and Christianity is that between Abraham and God, in which God made a covenant with Abram that He would bless Abram's descendants, making them more numerous than the stars. Christianity asserts that God made an additional covenant through Jesus, called the "New Covenant", in which the Crucifixion of Jesus would atone for the sins of all who put their faith in him (Matthew 26:28).

Covenant Theology, a theological system within Protestant, reformed Christianity, holds that God relates to man primarily through covenants. Within this theological system, a covenant may be defined as, "an unchangeable, divinely imposed legal agreement between God and man that stipulates the conditions of their relationship."^[1]

In Islam God reminds all humanity of their covenants with him.^[2]

A covenant may also refer to an agreement between members of a congregation to work together according to the precepts of their religion. In Indo-Iranian religious tradition, Mithra-Mitra is the hypostasis of covenant, and hence keeper and protector of moral, social and interpersonal relationships, including love and friendship. In living Zoroastrianism, which is one of the two primary developments of Indo-Iranian religious tradition, Mithra is by extension a judge, protecting agreements by ensuring that individuals who break one do not enter Heaven.

See also

• Covenant (Latter Day Saints)
• Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh
• Covenant theology
• Covenantal Theology (Roman Catholic)
• Mosaic covenant

References

1. ^ Grudem, Wayne A. "The Covenants Between God and Man." Systematic Theology: an Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000. 515. Print.
2. ^ Qur'an 36:60, 61.