This is My Beloved Son, Hear Him! - The Foundation for New Covenant Ethics and Ecclesiology | Jon Zens

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Jon Zens’ booklet was originally an issue of the periodical “Searching Together.” He describes it as “an extensive examination and critique of historical and contemporary views of Christian ethics and Church life.” More clearly, it is a rather thorough criticism of the common idea that Christian living is subjugated to the Law of Moses, which according to Zens was only the authority for Israel under the Old Covenant. In place of the Law of Moses, Zens would have us look to the “work and words” of Christ, the New Covenant pattern for obedience to God. In elaborating upon these points, Zens provides a very thorough historical survey of Christian beliefs on this matter, and he spends much time detailing how his own beliefs work themselves out in the Christian life.

This booklet is part of the larger debate over the relationship of the Law of Moses to Christian living, and the relationship between the Old and New Covenants generally. Zens falls squarely into the category of “New Covenant Theology,” a school of thought which is often misunderstood or ignored by most theologians, but we recommend that you ponder the very helpful insights that this viewpoint has to say.

One word of caution: We do not necessarily endorse the views of Jon Zens in matters outside the articles we have posted by him. In recent years, despite his own different views, he has increasingly become more publicly associated with those who insist on the house church format. We are less comfortable with the direction of his ministry than we used to be, but the articles we have by him on this website are exceptional and deserve a wide readership.

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