Calvin on the Covenants, part 2

John Calvin is a key figure in the development of covenant theology.  The covenants function as the basic framework with which various Christian traditions view the Bible.  The way one understands the nature of the Old Covenant will dramatically affect how one reads the Bible; the same is true of one's view of the New Covenant.   In part 1, I listed some of the similarities Calvin saw between the Old and New Covenants (i.e., "continuity" between the two).  What follows is a list of some differences (i.e., "discontinuity") between them.  References are to the McNeil-Battles edition of the Institutes.

Differences:

• There is a clearer manifestation of the gospel in the New Covenant. (2.9.1-2)
• The Old Covenant used earthly things to prefigure spiritual promises.  The earthly things were, in themselves, powerless.   The New Testament speaks plainly about the heavenly blessings.  (2.11.2-5)
• The Old Covenant people was a “child” while the New Covenant people is an “adult”.  This relates to the clarity of the gospel, not the quality of their relation to God. (2.11.2-5)
• Though there is gospel within the Old Testament, it is not proper to it.  In other words, the gospel properly belongs to the New Testament, but there are shadows of it throughout the Old. (2.11.7,9)
• The Old Testament saints experienced the blessings of freedom and joy even though they are not proper to the Old but belong to the New.  The benefits of the New Covenant work backward as well as forward. (2.11.7,9)
• Properly belonging to the Old Testament are commands and prohibitions, blessings and curses for obedience and disobedience, and an inability unto spiritual change.  To the New belong blessings, promises, and power for change. (2.11.7-8)