The grouchy Netherlander:
The Old Testament is . . . to be viewed as one in essence and substance with the New Testament.
For though God communicates his revelation successively and historically and makes it progressively richer and fuller, and humankind therefore advances in the knowledge, possession, and enjoyment of creation, God is and remains the same. The sun only gradually illumines the earth, but itself remains the same, morning and evening, during the day and night. Although Christ completed his work on earth only in the midst of history and although the Holy Spirit was not poured out till the day of Pentecost, God nevertheless was able, already in the days of the Old Testament, to fully distribute the benefits to be acquired and applied by the Son and the Spirit.
Old Testament believers were saved in no other way than we. There is one faith, one Mediator, one way of salvation, and one covenant of grace.
--Herman Bavinck,
Reformed Dogmatics, 3:216, discussing the
pactum salutis, the eternal, intratrinitarian covenant to redeem a people for himself
The grouchy Netherlander:
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