History of NCT

[Gontroppo]

G'day
I am interested in the history of New Covenant Theology. Where did the term originate? Who invented it?

Is it a kind of Baptist response to Reformed Theology?
Can you be a New Covenanter and a paedobaptist?

[disciple]

that's a tough question. some would claim that new covenant theology as a system is brand new and in it's infancy. in name this is true but i don't think it's true in concept. much (most) of what NCT holds has been previously developed in the theology of the anabaptists and in the writings of Pilgram Marpeck in particular. most that write on the subject seem to miss this vital connection with anabaptist theology as perhaps they want to distance themselves form the current descendants of anabaptists (i.e., mennonites). i'm not sure why this gets missed but for whatever reason it does. see this thread for more info: http://www.predestinarian.net/showth...&threadid=764. in my opinion it is as old or older than both covenant theology and dispensationalism. covenant theology as a system wasn't defined and developed until the westminster confession which was a result of john calvin's influence. but even this did not come w/o controversy. many puritans had problems with the one covenant two administration idea (e.g., john owens and jonathan edwards). also dispensationalism was developed by john darby in the early 1800s so this is older than both covenant theology and new covenant theology (which in my opinion pre-dates covenant theology; NCT - mid 1500s, CT - early 1600s, Disp - early 1800s). as far as the name, New Covenant Theology i don't know who invented it or who coined the term. the reason it is called this is because it's focus on the New Covenant and the primacy of the New Covenant in Scripture. the New Covenant is the pinacle of God's dealings with man through the cross of Christ and His Person and work.

it's not a baptist response to reformed theology in my opinion. many baptists who become calvinistic and reformed in their thinking but cannot embrace covenant theology end up gravitating to some form of NCT or progressive dispensationalism. some just give up and swallow the whole covenant theology pill which in my opinion is just a slippery slope to infant baptism. as far as being paedobaptist and NCT i don't think it's possible. the understanding of the distinction and relation of the covenants (Old and New and the type/antitype, promise/fufillment, shadow/reality relationship between the Old and New Covenants) precludes infant baptism. they are mutually exclusive.

[disciple]

By the way, welcome to the forums Gontroppo! If I can help you with anything else don't hesitate to ask.