McComiskey: Christ as "promise-oath"

Thomas Edward McComiskey on The Servant as a covenant: "...The prophet emphasized another aspect of the covenant in Isaiah 42:6 and 49:8. In both passages the servant himself is called a covenant. The latter verse appears to refer to the servant as an individual, not as the nation. The elements of the promise apparent in this context are the restoration to the land (49:8), the people as the offspring (49:8, 12), and Gentile salvation (49:6). The reference to the servant as a covenant is a unique concept in the Old Testament. It evidently means that the servant would function as does a covenant. The covenant in view here is best understood as the promise-oath, which is called a covenant in Genesis 15:18. It is the terms of that promise that are mentioned. The promise-oath secured the terms inherent in it and promised a bright future for the offspring. If the servant is to function as a covenant, then he will secure those promises that effect the realization of the inheritance of God's people. The promise is to be fulfilled in him. He realizes the promise of the land and he is the instrument that assures the inclusion of Gentiles in the promised inheritance." -- Thomas McComiskey, The Covenants of Promise, p. 90.

In speaking of Isaiah 49, McComiskey adds: "The supreme authority of the Old Testament is ultimately the same as that of the New Testament, that is Christ. It is Christ, not only in his objective delineation of Old Testament word, but in his living presence *in the word* (emp. mine; crb). He mediates the promises, according to Paul, not only in the New Testament era, but in the Old Testament era as well, for in some way those promises were made to Christ before the new covenant appeared in history...Christ became the facilitating principle of obedience... it was an objective realization of the relationship of Christ to the promise (in Deut. 30). This relationship permeates the covenants. It led ultimately to the appearance in history of the one to whom the words were spoken, 'I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people....'(Isa. 49:8). -- Thomas McComiskey, The Covenants of Promise, pp. 227, 228.

Christian band "justifies" illegal code-cracking

Rock band shows fans how to crack DRM

Switchfoot, a Christian alternative band from San Diego, is using a music forum on the web to explain to its fans how to crack the DRM code on its albums.

Vnunet.com is reporting that Tim Foreman, Switchfoot's bassist, wrote on a music forum: "My heart is heavy with this whole copy-protection thing. We were horrified when we first heard about the new copy-protection policy that is being implemented by most major labels, including Sony (our own label), and immediately looked into all our options for removing this from our new album.

Unfortunately, this is the new policy for all new major releases from these record companies. It is heartbreaking to see our blood, sweat and tears over the past two years blurred by the confusion and frustration surrounding this new technology. It is also unfortunate when bands such as ourselves, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, etc. are the target of this criticism, when there is no possible way to avoid this new industry policy."

After giving the forum a piece of his mind, Foreman "went on to provide details of how to crack the digital rights protection. He justified his actions saying: 'We refuse to allow corporate policy to taint the family we've developed together.'"

Nice testimony. Not only is this a violation of Romans 13:1 (and an encouragement of others to do the same), it's also an encouragement to break the eighth commandment, "you shall not steal".

While Switchfoot seemingly has no compunction encouraging its fans to steal music from their own label, Sony, the band also seemingly has no plans to severe its lucrative relationship with big bad Sony (with whom it signed a contract to begin with). Switchfoot wants to keep the good stuff with Sony (their fat contract) and get rid of the bad stuff (music encription and its limitations on music and fans). It doesn't work that way, boys. Just ask Steve Camp.

Switchfoot probably won't be signing off on Steve's 107 theses any time soon.
:-)