EP15 Brandon Adams: The Subservient Covenant, Moses and Abraham, Interpreting Gal 3 & Engaging Meredith Kline

In the Coffee House, John-Mark is joined by Brandon Adams and Benedict Allmand-Smith to discuss Covenant Theology, the Sinai/Mosaic covenant, Paul’s argument in Galatians 3, the Abrahamic Covenant and its relationship to the New Covenant, and the different views on Abraham and Moses, particularly expressed in the majority Reformed view and the arguments of Meredith Kline. Swim deep in the questions of Reformed Covenant Theology at the Coffee House.

Brandon begins by defining the historic “subservient covenant” view: Sinai is distinct from the covenant of grace and serves it by functioning as a typological covenant of works tied to temporal life and blessing in Canaan, conditioned on obedience. They contrast this with the majority historic Reformed view that post-fall covenants are one covenant of grace, and explain competing readings of Galatians 3:10–12 and 3:15–18 (including the “ad hominem” reading). Adams relates Kline’s works-principle approach, critiques attempts to separate the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants, and argues Paul’s “promise” centers on Christ blessing the nations, distinguishing the historia salutis from the ordo salutis. Delve deep into Covenant Theology with this episode at the Coffee House.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

Covenant Theology: From Adam to Christ (Nehemiah Coxe & John Owen)

“Same but Different: The Meaning and (Mis)Use of a Reformed Formula” D. Patrick Ramsey. Mid-America Journal of Theology, volume 36 (2025).

Reformation21 Summary Version

T.D. Alexander on the Seed

[ttps://contrast2.wordpress.com/2024/09/20/the-dichotomous-abrahamic-covenant-of-circumcision-quotes/

JIRBS Review Article

JIRBS 2020 Paper Edition

https://contrast2.wordpress.com/2016/09/03/gal-318-generic-law-and-promise-or-sinai-and-messiah/ (elaborated more carefully/fully in JIRBS

Abraham not Moses?

Lee Irons on works aspect of the ceremonial law, starting at 12:15

Kline’s Abrahamic Covenant of Works 7: R. Scott Clark

Kline’s Abrahamic Covenant of Works 6: 1689 Federalism

Kline’s Abrahamic Covenant of Works 5: Glory Cloud Podcast

Kline’s Abrahamic Covenant of Works 4: Contradiction

Kline’s Abrahamic Covenant of Works 3: Royal Grant Proposal

Kline’s Abrahamic Covenant of Works 2: Typological Merit

Kline’s Abrahamic Covenant of Works 1: Murray and Shepherd

Some Disagreement with Coxe on Galatians 3:17

00:00 The Coffee House
00:50 Sinai as Subservient
03:31 Majority Reformed View
08:10 Galatians 3 Key Text
09:36 Ad Hominem Reading 
13:41 Baptist Reading Explained 
21:19 Kline and Works Principle 
26:17 What Promise Means 
28:16 Historia vs Ordo Salutis 
30:56 Offspring Argument in Galatians 
32:07 Seed Singular or Plural 
32:22 Genesis Clues for One Seed 
33:03 Genesis 22 Offspring Shift 
34:57 Paul Versus Judaizers 
36:48 Law and Promise Timing 
39:46 Why Then the Law 
41:25 Covenant Redemption Question 
44:10 Views on Mosaic Covenant 
50:53 Land Promise and Obedience 
53:38 Assessing Klinean Appeal 
01:00:57 Luke and Nations Blessing 
01:03:44 Closing Thanks and Resources