Participation in the life of God and covenant theology : contours of a theodramatic systematic theology

Abstract

This study offers a contribution to the theme of participating in the life of God by outlining the contours of a theodramatic systematic theology with participating in the life of God as its integrative centre that incorporates a reframed understanding of divine-human covenants. The purpose of this study is to develop a theological framework that will give direction for clearly communicating the gospel and properly shaping our Christian identity so that we become fitting participants in the life of God and effective communicators of this gospel in our secular culture. To achieve this purpose, this study first analyzes how certain design features of theodramatic systematic theology give direction to our communication of the gospel and the shape of our Christian identity and practice. Second, it analyzes how the structural design of Michael Horton’s systematic theology give direction to our communication of the gospel and the shape of our Christian identity and practice. Third, it analyzes and evaluates to what extent the consequences of the structural design of Horton’s federal theology for our communication of the gospel and the shape of our Christian identity and practice are the result of systemic problems in his federal theology. Fourth, it outlines the contours of a theodramatic biblical narrative that has participation in or dwelling in the life of God as its integrative centre and incorporates a reframed understanding of divine-human covenants in five acts. Fifth, it sketches the contours of a theodramatic systematic theology that has participation in the life of God as its integrative centre and incorporates a reframed understanding of divine-human covenants. Sixth, it sketches how the contours of a theodramatic systematic theology that has participation in the life of God as its integrative centre and incorporates a reframed understanding of divine-human covenants give direction for clearly communicating the gospel and properly shaping our Christian identity and Christian practice that help us to become fitting participants in the life of God and effective communicators of the Christian gospel in our secular culture.