Why does it matter how we view the Bible? Have you ever felt like something was missing in your understanding of the Bible? Like there’s a disconnect between the Old and New Testaments that you just can’t reconcile? For many Christians, understanding the relationship between the Old and New Testaments and interpreting Scripture as a unified whole is one of the most confusing yet critical aspects of our faith. If you’ve ever wrestled with these thoughts, you’re not alone. I believe this is where New Covenant Theology (NCT) can help.

New Covenant Theology offers a clear, Christ-centered understanding of how the Old and New Testaments work together. And here’s the tension—if we miss the biblical framework New Covenant Theology provides, we risk misunderstanding the very heart of God’s plan for redemption. But once we grasp its key teachings, everything falls into place.

Let’s explore what makes New Covenant Theology both biblically grounded and practically transformative for our everyday lives. Additionally, we will see how NCT might just be the key to unlocking a deeper, more cohesive understanding of Scripture.

What is New Covenant Theology?

New Covenant Theology is a theological framework that seeks to understand the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. At its core, NCT emphasizes the centrality of Jesus Christ in God’s redemptive plan.

But what sets it apart? Unlike other theological systems, NCT proposes a unique approach to interpreting Scripture. It views the Bible through the lens of progressive revelation, with the New Testament serving as the key to understanding the Old.

The Heart of New Covenant Theology

New Covenant Theology isn’t just an academic exercise. It’s about reshaping our understanding of God’s interaction with humanity. Here’s why it matters:

1. New Covenant Theology emphasizes a Christ-centered reading of Scripture.
2. It provides a framework for understanding biblical covenants.
3. It impacts how we apply Old Testament laws to our lives today.

As we delve deeper, you’ll see how these principles can transform your Bible study and spiritual growth.

The Six Key Distinctives of New Covenant Theology

New Covenant Theology is built on six fundamental principles. Let’s break them down one by one.

One Plan of God Centered in Jesus Christ

At the heart of NCT is the belief that God has always had one plan, and it’s all about Jesus. From Genesis to Revelation, every story, prophecy, and law points to Christ. There’s no Plan B here—Jesus was always the focal point. Scripture repeatedly shows this. Ephesians 1:10 says that God’s purpose is “to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”

Jesus Himself made this clear when He said in John 5:39, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, points to Christ.

In Luke 24:27, after His resurrection, Jesus explained to the disciples “what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” The plan of redemption wasn’t an afterthought; Jesus has always been at the center.

This perspective changes how we read Scripture. Instead of seeing the Bible as a collection of disconnected stories, we see it as one cohesive narrative with Jesus at the center.

The Old Testament Should be Interpreted in Light of the New Testament

One of the central principles of New Covenant Theology is that the Old Testament is best understood when interpreted in light of the New Testament. This is not about discarding the Old Testament, but about seeing it fulfilled in Christ.

Jesus declared in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” The ceremonial laws, the sacrificial system, and the priesthood all point forward to Christ, who is the perfect fulfillment of those shadows.

The writer of Hebrews makes this abundantly clear, especially in Hebrews 10:1, which says, “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves.” The rituals and commands of the Old Covenant were like signposts, pointing to the reality that is found in Jesus.

Consider how Jesus reinterpreted the Passover during the Last Supper (Luke 22:19-20), transforming it into a memorial of His sacrifice. The New Testament doesn’t negate the Old but reveals its full meaning in Christ.

The Old Covenant was Temporary by Divine Design

The Old Covenant was not meant to be eternal but was a temporary arrangement, designed to lead God’s people to Christ. This is evident in the promises of the New Covenant, first spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “The days are coming… when I will make a new covenant” (Jeremiah 31:31).

The apostle Paul explains this transition in Galatians 3:24-25, stating, “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”

Paul further elaborates in 2 Corinthians 3:7-11, contrasting the Old Covenant, which he calls the “ministry of death,” with the New Covenant, which he describes as “the ministry of the Spirit.” The Old Covenant, with its laws and sacrifices, was always intended to be a temporary placeholder until the arrival of Christ, the perfect mediator of a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6). This view helps us appreciate the Old Covenant’s role without feeling bound by its regulations.

There is No Tripartite Division of the Law

Traditional theology often divides the Mosaic Law into moral, civil, and ceremonial categories. In New Covenant Theology, there is no separation of the Old Testament law into moral, ceremonial, and civil categories. Instead, the entire Old Covenant law is seen as a unified whole that was fulfilled in Christ.

Paul emphasizes this in Romans 10:4: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” The law as a covenantal system is completed in Christ, meaning we are no longer bound by it.

The book of James reinforces this idea when it says, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10). The law cannot be divided into categories because it was given as one complete system.

This doesn’t mean we abandon all moral principles. Instead, we are guided by the law of Christ, which is a higher standard because it is rooted in love (Galatians 5:14, 6:2).

We are not under the Law of Moses, but under the Law of Christ

The New Testament clearly teaches that believers are no longer under the Law of Moses. In Romans 6:14, Paul says, “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”

Instead, Christians are under the Law of Christ, which is centered on love for God and others. Jesus summarized this law in Matthew 22:37-40: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… and love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Paul echoes this in Galatians 5:14, saying, “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Similarly, Galatians 6:2 encourages believers to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

This shift from the Law of Moses to the Law of Christ means that our ethical framework is no longer based on adherence to a legal code but on the transformative power of the Spirit working in us to love as Christ loved.

All in the New Covenant Community Have the Holy Spirit

One of the most beautiful promises of the New Covenant is that every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Unlike the Old Covenant, where the Spirit’s presence was limited, NCT emphasizes that all believers in the New Covenant have the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 prophesied about this new reality: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you… And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

In the New Testament, Paul confirms this when he says, “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you” (Romans 8:9). The indwelling Holy Spirit is the mark of the New Covenant community.

This indwelling changes everything. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:6, “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” The Spirit empowers us to live out the law of Christ, not by external compulsion, but by an internal transformation.

New Covenant Theology in Practice

Understanding New Covenant Theology isn’t just about getting your theology right—it’s about living out your faith in a Christ-centered way. Here are a few practical takeaways:

• Freedom from Legalism: You don’t have to earn God’s favor through rule-keeping. Instead, you’re free to live in the grace and love of Christ (Galatians 5:1).
• Christ-Centered Reading of Scripture: When you read the Bible, especially the Old Testament, ask how it points to Jesus. Jesus Himself is the key to understanding all of Scripture (Luke 24:44).
• Empowered by the Spirit: Trust that the Holy Spirit is working in you, shaping your heart and guiding your steps (Romans 8:14). The Spirit leads us to love and serve others in a way that fulfills the law of Christ.

New Covenant Theology offers a cohesive, Christ-centered approach to understanding God’s redemptive plan. It bridges the gap between the Old and New Testaments, revealing how they work together to point us to Jesus. And in doing so, it provides us with a practical framework for living out our faith today.

If you’d like to dive deeper into New Covenant Theology, Blake White’s excellent book offers a more in-depth exploration of its key distinctives. You can check it out here.