Covenant is not only a theological term in the Bible, it is also a very important concept in Scripture and in theology. The covenant between God and man establishes the relationship between God and man, one that is anchored in the personhood of God. The biblical concept of covenant has shaped the modem concept of covenant in the West. But the concept has undergone major changes due to a growing emphasis on man's relationship to man. In the 18th century, The Social Covenant by Rousseau advocated a covenant of democracy, freedom and equality between the people and the ruling class so as to build a democratic society where sovereignty rests with the people. This developmental change from covenant between God and man to covenant between man and man illustrates the shift from deism to humanism.
