theo 2

I was carefully looking around some old people on this topic. Particularly Calvin. He talks about the covenant of works as a grace in which Adam was created. It seems that he structured the "covenant of works" around that grace. This grace was namely from creation in being created in God's image. Adam was held within this grace and was to continue in it. 'Covenant of Works'? It was not coined til later. Calvin was also historically outside the statement of trent on merit but not the conclusions. It was tenuous at best.

Now the real problem has arisen. I see it a little more clearly.
The one thing seems to be holding me back in making the extension of the covenant of image bearing into redemption. I cannot balance law and Gospel on a scale as opposites as well. By redefining "the law" beyond works righteousnes; there is less of a reformed distinction between law and grace. Grace in this scheme thus establishes the law and righteousness. Yet, 100% forensic via union with Christ (faith). Only later to be revealed in full by ressurection/transfiguration at judgment.

If I seem to fix this issue on imputation by trying to avoid merit. In a twist of irony, I return closer to Rome, the merit whore. Now, for all those listening. This would be Roman if I changed forensic righteousness into infused righteousness. This is to make this righteousness external again rather than relational. This drives into the heart of what a covenant is. Is it terms to a relationship? or terms of one? By making it terms of One, Covenant of works is reinstated in a new form.

I am left with one monkey wrench to settle. Calvin said that heaven would have still been further grace due only to God's kindness. I am swayed by this a lot but the question is can Christ merit such kindness from God remains. Strictly speaking is it due to him or just grace to us? They are not mutually exclusive. Calvin says that it is ridiculus to set up Christ's merit against God's Grace. Calvin takes me this far and leaves me with only the goodness of God and/or Christ's Goodness to consider.

This image bearing is far too close to a form of monocovenantalism and one tenant of FV. Dare I venture to join the ranks of Murry, Hoekema, dutch theologians, and Calvin in making up my mind here? Or Do I side with most of Reformed theology in the confessions? Time to return to the Bible again.