Kingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants, 2nd ed.

by Peter J. Gentry; Stephen J. Wellum

Publisher:

Crossway

, 2018

Overview

Kingdom through Covenant is a careful exposition of how the biblical covenants unfold and relate to one another—a widely debated topic, critical for understanding the narrative plot structure of the whole Bible.

By incorporating the latest available research from the ancient Near East and examining implications of their work for Christology, ecclesiology, eschatology, and hermeneutics, scholars Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum present a thoughtful and viable alternative to both covenant theology and dispensationalism.

This second edition features updated and revised content, clarifying key material and integrating the latest findings into the discussion.

Key Features

• Explores the theology of covenants in the Old and New Testaments
• Contains a detailed case for progressive covenantalism
• Provides clarification and correction from the first edition

Contents

Part 1: Prolegomena

• The Importance of Covenants in Biblical and Systematic Theology
• Covenants in Biblical-Theological Systems Dispensational and Covenant Theology
• Hermeneutical Issues in “Putting Together” the Covenants

Part 2: Exposition of the Biblical Covenants

• The Notion of Covenant in the Bible and in the Ancient Near East
• The Covenant with Noah
• The Covenant with Creation in Genesis 1–3
• The Covenant with Abraham (1)
• The Covenant with Abraham (2)
• The Mosaic Covenant: Exodus/Sinai
• The Mosaic Covenant: Deuteronomy/Moab
• The Davidic Covenant
• The New Covenant: Introduction and Isaiah
• The New Covenant: Jeremiah
• The New Covenant: Ezekiel
• The New Covenant: in Daniel’s Seventy Weeks

Part 3: Theological Summary and Integration

• Kingdom through Covenant: A Theological Summary from Creation to the Promise of the New Covenant
• Kingdom through Covenant: The Biblical Covenants Fulfilled in Christ Jesus and the New Covenant
• Kingdom through Covenant: Some Theological Implications: Christology and the Christian Life
• Kingdom through Covenant: Some Theological Implications: Ecclesiology and Eschatology

Top Highlights

“Typology exhibits a threefold character. First, typology involves a repetition of a person, event, or institution so that types are repeated in later persons, events, or institutions, thus allowing us to discover a pattern and trajectory. Yet ultimately the types reach their antitypical fulfillment first in Christ and then in his people.” (Page 133)

“A third characteristic of typology is that it develops through covenantal progression.^{73” (Page 135)}

“It is first crucial to distinguish typology from allegory.⁵⁵ The major difference is that typology is grounded in history, the text, and interbiblical/intertextual development, where various ‘persons, events, and institutions’ are intended by God to correspond to each other, while allegory assumes none of these things.” (Page 129)

“In fact, word and act often follow a general order in Scripture: first comes a preparatory word, then the divine act, and finally the interpretive word.” (Page 115)

“Michael Horton’s definition as a place to start: ‘a covenant is a relationship of ‘oaths and bonds’ and involves mutual, though not necessarily equal, commitments.’” (Pages 76–77)

Endorsements

Gentry and Wellum offer a third way, a via media, between covenant theology and dispensationalism, arguing that both of these theological systems are not informed sufficiently by biblical theology. Certainly, we cannot understand the Scriptures without comprehending ‘the whole counsel of God,’ and here we find incisive exegesis and biblical theology at their best. This book is a must-read and will be part of the conversation for many years to come.

—Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Kingdom through Covenant is hermeneutically sensitive, exegetically rigorous, and theologically rich—a first-rate biblical theology that addresses both the message and structure of the whole Bible from the ground up. Gentry and Wellum have produced what will become one of the standard texts in the field. For anyone who wishes to tread the path of biblical revelation, this text is a faithful guide.

—Miles V. Van Pelt, Alan Belcher Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages and Academic Dean, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi

Exegetically faithful, theologically profound, and grounded in the interpretive patterns of the biblical authors themselves, this rich, rigorous, and robust edition of Kingdom through Covenant clearly and helpfully charts a course between dispensational and covenant theologies. I know of no better study that clarifies how the biblical covenants progress, integrate, and climax in Christ. This volume is a gift to the evangelical church and academy, and I am confident that it will greatly ground and guide the next generation of pastor-theologians.

—Jason S. DeRouchie, Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Theology, Bethlehem College & Seminary; Elder, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Product Details

• Title: Kingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-theological Understanding of the Covenants, Second Edition
• Authors: Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum
• Edition: 2nd
• Publisher: Crossway
• Publication Date: 2018
• Pages: 960
• Resource Type: Biblical Theology
• Topic: Covenants

About the Authors

Peter J. Gentry (PhD, University of Toronto) is professor of Old Testament interpretation at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and director of the Hexapla Institute.

Stephen J. Wellum (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is professor of Christian theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and editor of the Southern Baptist Journal of Theology. Stephen lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife, Karen, and their five children.