The concept of covenantal vocation was the focus of a Feb. 15 public lecture by Dr. Peter Lillback, president of Westminster Theological Seminary.
Lillback’s presentation, the feature of this year’s J.G. Vos Memorial Lecture held in Old Main’s John H. White Chapel, outlined the theological, ethical and pastoral implications of a covenantal approach to the idea of vocation, or calling. Lillback drew on various examples from the Bible, contrasting the effectual call of God with ineffectual ones.
“God has a voice that, when he calls, the light comes into being, Lazarus comes from the tomb – an effectual call,” Lillback said. He also challenged his audience to have confidence in seeking to live for Christ because “faithful is he who called you, who will also do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
“Samuel was called,” Lillback said. “He didn’t know what he was getting into … but he said ‘Here I am, I’m ready to go.’”
Characterizing the Ten Commandments not simply as a list of duties but rather “dynamic, vast covenantal opportunities,” Lillback stressed the need for Christians to consider their identity as a people “called out.”
“God’s calling to you starts with your heart but never ends there,” Lillback said. “He calls us to be redeemed in Christ. He calls us to go out and redeem the earth. We see this all the way through scripture.”
In addition to serving as president and as a professor at Westminster Theological Seminary in
