Date
8-29-2025
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Bible Exposition (PhD)
Chair
Jeffery Scott Kennedy
Keywords
Covenant Formula, Revelation, Covenant Theology
Disciplines
Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
Recommended Citation
Hinsberg, Paul E., "The Primacy of Revelation 21:1-7 as Declared in the Covenant Formula as a Theological Mosaic of Creation, Covenant, and the Metanarrative of God’s Plan in Scripture" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7439.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7439
Abstract
This dissertation examines the theological significance of Revelation 21:1-7, as defined through the theological mosaic of creation, covenant, and the metanarrative of God's plan in Scripture, as embodied in the covenant formula. The study examines the covenant formula's role in the Old Testament, focusing on its appearances and variations, and how it interacts with surrounding texts to convey theological themes. The analysis extends to the New Testament, ultimately focusing on Revelation 21:1-7, where the covenant formula appears uniquely as direct utterances by God. The dissertation argues that Revelation 21:1-7 should be viewed as a declarative statement of God's culminating act, rather than an introduction to the topics of the new creation. The study employs canonical contextualization and biblical theology to trace the progression of the covenant formula from creation to new creation, demonstrating its role in the relationship between God and humanity. The findings suggest that the covenant formula in Revelation 21:1-7 encapsulates the theological mosaic of covenant, creation, and God's relationship with humankind, affirming the creation-covenant relationship as a central biblical theme.
