ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the practice and, more specifically, the character of exclusion. It offers a vision of embrace inspired by the character of God as revealed on the cross of Christ. The more subtle side of exclusion by elimination is exclusion by assimilation. The social utility of contracts is indisputable; without them, life in modern societies would be nearly impossible. The understanding of social life as covenantal has its roots in early Calvinism's so-called Calvinist monarchomachs-the fighters against monarchy. For them, the covenant between human beings was based on and preserved by God's covenant with them, and the covenant's moral foundations were supplied by the covenant-making God. The new covenant was a response to a persistent pattern of humans breaking the original covenant; because Israel has broken God's covenant, God offered a new one. Bound to Israel with 'bonds of love', God cannot hand over Israel; God's commitment is irrevocable and God's covenant indestructible.
