Biblical Covenantalism Volume 3

VOLUME ONE: Biblical Covenantalism in Torah: Judaism, Covenant Nomism, and Atonement VOLUME TWO: Biblical Covenantalism in Prophets, Psalms, Early Judaism, and Gospels: Judaism, Covenant Nomism, and Kingdom Hope VOLUME THREE: Biblical Covenantalism in New Testament Epistles: Engagement of the New Perspective and New Covenant Atonement Biblical covenantalism is the backbone of the Old Testament and the root of salvation and ethics. This book offers a nuanced exploration of biblical theology with an emphasis on how biblical covenants set a complex trajectory for Israel’s covenant relationships, salvation, ethics, and eschatology. Suzerainty treaty form positions the Mosaic covenant in a Deuteronomistic framework that elects Israel and rewards them with blessings based upon obedience to the stipulations of the covenant within which God has embraced them. Such a framework fits within covenant nomism (law), especially considering the majority of the stipulations’ similarity to ancient Near Eastern law codes. This perspective deepens awareness of biblical trajectory in interaction with early Jewish and Christian sources. Jewish metaphors inform Old Testament, rabbinic, and Messianic atonement. This view positions itself between the New Perspective and traditional Reformation views as well as Covenant theology and Dispensationalism, even as it distances itself from American Covenantalism, Theonomy, Natural law, and the prayer of Jabez. The biblical and second temple Jewish material provides a nuanced new perspective of Judaism. From this same covenantal root, the Biblical covenants ground an eschatological hope for the nation of Israel.

VOLUME ONE: Biblical Covenantalism in Torah: Judaism, Covenant Nomism, and Atonement. 330 pages. VOLUME TWO: Biblical Covenantalism in Prophets, Psalms, Early Judaism, and Gospels: Judaism, Covenant Nomism, and Kingdom Hope. 264 pages. VOLUME THREE: Biblical Covenantalism in New Testament Epistles: Engagement of the New Perspective and New Covenant Atonement. 302 pages. Biblical covenantalism is the backbone of the Old Testament and the root of salvation and ethics. This book offers a nuanced exploration of biblical theology with an emphasis on how biblical covenants set a complex trajectory for Israel's covenant relationships, salvation, ethics, and eschatology. Suzerainty treaty form positions the Mosaic covenant in a Deuteronomistic framework that elects Israel and rewards them with blessings based upon obedience to the stipulations of the covenant within which God has embraced them. Such a framework fits within covenant nomism (law), especially considering the majority of the stipulations' similarity to ancient Near Eastern law codes. This perspective deepens awareness of biblical trajectory in interaction with early Jewish and Christian sources. Jewish metaphors inform Old Testament, rabbinic, and Messianic atonement. This view positions itself between the New Perspective and traditional Reformation views as well as Covenant theology and Dispensationalism, even as it distances itself from American Covenantalism, Theonomy, Natural law, and the prayer of Jabez. The biblical and second temple Jewish material provides a nuanced new perspective of Judaism. From this same covenantal root, the Biblical covenants ground an eschatological hope for the nation of Israel.

VOLUME ONE: Biblical Covenantalism in Torah: Judaism, Covenant Nomism, and Atonement VOLUME TWO: Biblical Covenantalism in Prophets, Psalms, Early Judaism, and Gospels: Judaism, Covenant Nomism, and Kingdom Hope VOLUME THREE: Biblical Covenantalism in New Testament Epistles: Engagement of the New Perspective and New Covenant Atonement Biblical covenantalism is the backbone of the Old Testament and the root of salvation and ethics. This book offers a nuanced exploration of biblical theology with an emphasis on how biblical covenants set a complex trajectory for Israel’s covenant relationships, salvation, ethics, and eschatology. Suzerainty treaty form positions the Mosaic covenant in a Deuteronomistic framework that elects Israel and rewards them with blessings based upon obedience to the stipulations of the covenant within which God has embraced them. Such a framework fits within covenant nomism (law), especially considering the majority of the stipulations’ similarity to ancient Near Eastern law codes. This perspective deepens awareness of biblical trajectory in interaction with early Jewish and Christian sources. Jewish metaphors inform Old Testament, rabbinic, and Messianic atonement. This view positions itself between the New Perspective and traditional Reformation views as well as Covenant theology and Dispensationalism, even as it distances itself from American Covenantalism, Theonomy, Natural law, and the prayer of Jabez. The biblical and second temple Jewish material provides a nuanced new perspective of Judaism. From this same covenantal root, the Biblical covenants ground an eschatological hope for the nation of Israel.

VOLUME ONE: Biblical Covenantalism in Torah: Judaism, Covenant Nomism, and Atonement VOLUME TWO: Biblical Covenantalism in Prophets, Psalms, Early Judaism, and Gospels: Judaism, Covenant Nomism, and Kingdom Hope VOLUME THREE: Biblical Covenantalism in New Testament Epistles: Engagement of the New Perspective and New Covenant Atonement Biblical covenantalism is the backbone of the Old Testament and the root of salvation and ethics. This book offers a nuanced exploration of biblical theology with an emphasis on how biblical covenants set a complex trajectory for Israel's covenant relationships, salvation, ethics, and eschatology. Suzerainty treaty form positions the Mosaic covenant in a Deuteronomistic framework that elects Israel and rewards them with blessings based upon obedience to the stipulations of the covenant within which God has embraced them. Such a framework fits within covenant nomism (law), especially considering the majority of the stipulations' similarity to ancient Near Eastern law codes. This perspective deepens awareness of biblical trajectory in interaction with early Jewish and Christian sources. Jewish metaphors inform Old Testament, rabbinic, and Messianic atonement. This view positions itself between the New Perspective and traditional Reformation views as well as Covenant theology and Dispensationalism, even as it distances itself from American Covenantalism, Theonomy, Natural law, and the prayer of Jabez. The biblical and second temple Jewish material provides a nuanced new perspective of Judaism. From this same covenantal root, the Biblical covenants ground an eschatological hope for the nation of Israel.

How does the canon of Scripture fit together? For evangelical Christians, there is no question about the authority of Scripture and its testimony to the centrality of Jesus Christ in God's salvation plan. But several questions remain: How do the Old Testament and New Testament relate to each other? What is the relationship among the biblical covenants? How should Christians read and interpret Scripture in order to do justice to both its individual parts and its whole message? How does Israel relate to the church? In this Spectrum Multiview volume, readers will find four contributors who explore these complex questions. The contributors each make a case for their own view—representing two versions of covenantal theology and two versions of dispensational theology—and then respond to the others' views to offer an animated yet irenic discussion on the continuity of Scripture. Views and Contributors: Covenant Theology: Michael S. Horton, Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California Progressive Covenantalism: Stephen J. Wellum, professor of Christian theology, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Progressive Dispensationalism: Darrell L. Bock, Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary Traditional Dispensationalism: Mark A. Snoeberger, professor of systematic theology and apologetics, Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary Spectrum Multiview Books offer a range of viewpoints on contested topics within Christianity, giving contributors the opportunity to present their position and also respond to others in this dynamic publishing format.

Building on the foundation of Kingdom through Covenant (Crossway, 2012), Stephen J. Wellum and Brent E. Parker have assembled a team of scholars who offer a fresh perspective regarding the interrelationship between the biblical covenants. Each chapter seeks to demonstrate how the covenants serve as the backbone to the grand narrative of Scripture. For example, New Testament scholar Thomas Schreiner writes on the Sabbath command from the Old Testament and thinks through its applications to new covenant believers. Christopher Cowan wrestles with the warning passages of Scripture, texts which are often viewed by covenant theologians as evidence for a "mixed" view of the church. Jason DeRouchie provides a biblical theology of “seed” and demonstrates that the covenantal view is incorrect in some of its conclusions. Jason Meyer thinks through the role of law in both the old and new covenants. John Meade unpacks circumcision in the OT and how it is applied in the NT, providing further warrant to reject covenant theology's link of circumcision with (infant) baptism. Oren Martin tackles the issue of Israel and land over against a dispensational reading, and Richard Lucas offers an exegetical analysis of Romans 9-11, arguing that it does not require a dispensational understanding. From issues of ecclesiology to the warning passages in Hebrews, this book carefully navigates a mediating path between the dominant theological systems of covenant theology and dispensationalism to offer the reader a better way to understand God’s one plan of redemption.

Using a biblical theology method, this book reflects the content of the epistle of Hebrews within its Jewish-Christian context. Within Jewish monotheism, a Two Powers Christology is championed to float a simple missional Trinitarianism. Jesus Christ is also presented as a superior prophet, Davidic king, and Melchizedek priest. Christ initiates the new covenant with his very Jewish atonement in the Day of Atonement pattern, ultimately perfecting believers’ conscience (as an Edwardsian Religious Affection) and providing everlasting forgiveness. This provision initiates the believer on a new exodus toward the celestial city within a two-way soteriological framework. To make it to that heavenly goal, the believer must continue in faith. Those who are faithful already begin to experience rest in this life as a foretaste of the kingdom rest to come, when Christ brings in eschatological salvation.

"Henebury shows how the covenants relate to God's ways and purposes for his people and all peoples. Through it all [he] lets the Old Testament speak for itself and does not "pre-interpret" it according to any "pre-conceived" theology of the New Testament. The results of this method, in particular his insights on the place of Christ in this account are especially helpful." - Kevin D. Zuber, The Master's Seminary. Why does God make covenants? That question spurred a twelve year-long study which produced this book and the "Biblical Covenantalism" it portrays. The Words of the Covenant: A Biblical Theology takes the oaths God took seriously at face value and tracks their development through the OT. What results is a fascinating and compelling framework for understanding both what God is going to do with His creation, and how the Figure of the Messiah, the coming King, is at the center of the unfolding of God's "Creation Project." This work presents a thorough exposition of God's covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, Phinehas, and David, showing how they all converge on the New covenant in Jesus Christ, and emerge literally fulfilled in the Kingdom of God. Dr. Henebury deliberately interacts with a wide range of scholarship to demonstrate and ground his assertions. God means what He says in His covenants, and He wants us to pay attention to them and trust them. This book is Volume 1 of a two-volume whole Bible Biblical Theology. It is subtitled Old Testament Expectation. Paul Martin Henebury M. T. S., M.Div., Ph.D., is President of Telos Theological Ministries & Biblical Institute, and Senior Pastor of Agape Bible Church in Willits, Ca. Formerly he was Professor of Systematic Theology & Apologetics at Tyndale Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and Editor of the Conservative Theological Journal. Paul is married to Gina and they have five children. He is known for his blog Dr Reluctant.