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Showing posts from October, 2025

Rethinking the ‘Elements’: Stoicheia and Covenant Renewal in the New Testament

This essay is adapted from my article, " Redemption Accomplished and Applied: Kingdom Inauguration and New Creation in Isaiah 65–66 ." The complete version contains the full footnote material not included here. Introduction  In biblical studies, particularly when exploring eschatological themes like the “new heavens and new earth” promised in Isaiah 65:17–25, the Greek term   stoicheia   (often translated as “elements”) plays a pivotal role in New Testament passages. This phrase from Isaiah has historically been debated: Does it foretell a literal cosmic re-creation, or does it symbolize covenantal renewal through divine judgment and restoration? Building on a redemptive-historical reading—often aligned with partial preterism—this interpretation views Isaiah’s vision as the inauguration of God’s kingdom, fulfilled in Christ’s first advent and progressively applied through the Spirit’s work in the covenant community.      This perspective extends to the N...