You’re looking for an easy, accessible, clear introduction to covenant theology but each one you try seems either too complicated or just doesn’t quite get the job done. Maybe the introduction that your friend gave you omits the covenant of works or the covenant of redemption or doesn’t explain the Old Covenant very well or it has some other failing. I know that Reformed pastors are always looking for the perfect, short, readable book to hand out to visitors and inquirers to help them get a grasp on what we mean by “covenant theology.” This is the volume for which you’ve been waiting.
Brown and Keele, both pastors, have written a lively, brief, brisk, accessible, popular but accurate introduction to covenant theology. They hit a difficult mark because, for the Reformed, covenant isn’t just a category (although it is that), rather it is the way we understand all of Scripture and all of redemptive history. Because it is a comprehensive term when people say, “I want a brief, clear, accurate introduction to covenant theology” it’s a little like saying, “Tell me everything you know in ten minutes.” “Uh, well, okay, where do I start?” “Time is up!” Yikes. It’s not easy. Because, however, the they drew on material that they’ve used in their own congregations, pastors Brown and Keele present material in a way that can be grasped by everyone. Each chapter comes with study questions so this volume will work for Christian education classes.
R. Scott Clark
R.Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.
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Scott, how do the authors handle the eternal Pactum? Do they treat it as distinct, or do they fold it into the Covenant of Grace?
They have a section on the covenant of redemption (pactum salutis). No, they don’t “fold it into the covenant of grace.” They treat it as related to both the covenants of grace and works. The PS is gracious with us in view and legal insofar as it has in view obligations taken up by the Son. It’s a both/and approach rather than either/or.
I will be teaching a Sunday school series on covenant theology. I look forward to receiving my volume soon as I prepare my lectures.
Is this more accessible or does it cover more than Michael Horton’s ‘God of Promise’?
It’s more accessible. More introductory.
Thanks!
Years ago, I read this: “Children of the Promise: The Biblical Case for Infant Baptism” by Robert R. Booth (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 1995). Yes, Booth is a Theonomist, but I still think he did a pretty good job of explaining the covenants. So, I just might check out this new volume.
Pastor Michael Brown is currently teaching through the book
http://www.christurc.org/catechism_others.html
I read the book. It is a great book and I did a small book review on the Riddleblog on it.