Kingdom through Covenant: A Biblical Theological Understanding of the Covenants

923 Pages·2016·9.21 MB·English

by  Peter J. Gentry

“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 its 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 Director, Summer Institute for Biblical
Languages, Reformed Theological Seminary
“What do you get when you cross a world-class Bible scholar and a first-rate
systematic theologian? You get 800-plus pages of power-packed biblical
goodness. You get the forest and quite a few of the trees. This is not the first
volume that has attempted to mediate the dispensational/covenant theology
divide, but it may be the culminating presentation of that discussion—just as
Bach was not the first Baroque composer but its highest moment. Gentry and
Wellum’s proposal of Kingdom through Covenant should be read by all parties,
but I won’t be surprised to learn in twenty years that this volume provided the
foundation for how a generation of anyone who advocates regenerate church
membership puts their Bible together.”
Jonathan Leeman, Editorial Director, 9Marks; author, Church and
the Surprising Offense of God’s Love
“Gentry and Wellum have provided a welcome addition to the current number of
books on biblical theology. What makes their contribution unique is the marriage
of historical exegesis, biblical theology, and systematic theology. Kingdom
through Covenant brims with exegetical insights, biblical theological drama, and
sound systematic theological conclusions. Particularly important is the viable
alternative they offer to the covenantal and dispensational hermeneutical
frameworks. I enthusiastically recommend this book!”
Stephen G. Dempster, Professor of Religious Studies, Crandall
University
“The relationship between the covenants of Scripture is rightly considered to be
central to the interpretation of the Bible. That there is some degree of continuity
is obvious, for it is the same God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as
well as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ—who has revealed himself and his
will in the covenants. That there is, however, also significant discontinuity also
seems patent since Scripture itself talks about a new covenant and the old one
passing away. What has changed and what has not? Utterly vital questions to
which this new book by Gentry and Wellum gives satisfying and sound answers.
Because of the importance of this subject and the exegetical and theological skill
of the authors, their answers deserve a wide hearing. Highly recommended!”
Michael A. G. Haykin, Professor of Church History and Biblical
Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Kingdom through Covenant is directly applicable to a pastor faithfully seeking
understanding of God’s Word as it reveals the structure that supports the
narrative of God’s message throughout time. The study of the covenants
provides a framework for understanding and applying the message of the Bible
to life in the new covenant community. I have found this study personally
transforming, and enriching in my teaching ministry.”
Joseph Lumbrix, Pastor, Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Willisburg,
Kentucky
“This impressive volume makes a significant contribution to our understanding
of the nature of the biblical covenants. Meticulously researched, clearly written,
and boldly argued, the ‘progressive covenantalism’ thesis—a via media between
dispensational and covenantal theology—combines exegetical depth with
theological rigor in the service of covenant faithfulness. The result is penetrating
reflections on theology proper, Christology, ecclesiology, and eschatology. Even
at points of disagreement, all who teach the Scriptures to others will find here a
rich treasure trove of whole-Bible theological thinking and an invaluable
resource to return to again and again.”
David Gibson, Minister, Trinity Church, Aberdeen, Scotland;
coauthor, Rich: The Reality of Encountering Jesus
KINGDOM
through
COVENANT

Kingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the
Covenants Copyright © 2012 by Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum
Published by Crossway
1300 Crescent Street
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of
the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law.
Cover design: Studio Gearbox
Cover image: Tower of Babel, 1563 by Pieter the Elder Bruegel,
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria/The Bridgeman Art Library First
printing 2012
Printed in the United States of America
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are the authors’ translations.
Scripture references marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New
International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible,
English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NASB are from The New American Standard Bible®.
Copyright © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972,
1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.
Scripture references marked NLT are from The Holy Bible, New Living
Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Ill., 60189. All rights reserved.
The Scripture reference marked RSV is from The Revised Standard Version.
Copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971, 1973 by the Division of Christian Education of
the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
The Scripture reference marked NRSV is from The New Revised Standard
Version. Copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Published by Thomas
Nelson, Inc. Used by permission of the National Council of the Churches of
Christ in the U.S.A.
Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added by the authors.
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4335-1464-7
PDF ISBN: 978-1-4335-1465-4
Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-4335-1466-1
EPub ISBN: 978-1-4335-2444-8
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Gentry, Peter John.
Kingdom through covenant : a biblical-theological
understanding of the covenants / Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J.
Wellum.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and indexes.
ISBN 978-1-4335-1464-7 (hc)
1. Covenants—Biblical teaching. 2. Covenants—Religious
aspects—Christianity. 3. Theology, Doctrinal. I. Wellum,
Stephen J., 1964-II. Title.
BS680.C67G46 2012
2012001514
231.7'6—dc23
Crossway is a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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A LEGACY
for
My Children
Stewart John,
Laura and Stephen,
Joseph Daniel and Emma Grace
—Peter Gentry
He established a testimony in Jacob
and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers
to teach to their children,
that the next generation might know them,
the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God,
but keep his commandments (Ps. 78:5–7, ESV)
WITH GRATITUDE TO OUR COVENANT LORD
for
My Parents
Colin and Joan Wellum
—Stephen Wellum
CONTENTS
Preface