Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction

What fundamental truths about God’s nature and our relationship with him are illuminated through the lens of Scripture? In Reformed Covenant Theology, Harrison Perkins helps us know God through his covenants. Covenantal Presence This book helped me understand the covenants in a new way. I was most moved to consider the Covenant of Works as a covenant of love. To obey God is a way to express our love for him. And through the Covenant of Works, God makes his blessings known to man through features of everyday life. True spirituality is to walk and fellowship with God and his people, in regular affairs. We were made to commune with God in a relationship. What makes this book and the arguments within particularly reformed is revealed when Perkins describes the Father, Son, and Spirit’s love for the elect. The Covenant of Redemption relates God’s infinite inner triune love to the immense love God had for his people. He is personally involved in our lives, and grants us the Spirit’s ongoing presence. Covenantal Community I was most interested to learn how the Covenant of Grace impacts reformed preaching. As the redeemer of God’s elect, Christ should be preached from every portion of Scripture. The Covenant of Grace defines the blessings we receive in Christ, guaranteeing our everlasting life in relationship with God. The already-not-yet nature of the covenant of grace calls us to patience, endurance, and hope. The end of the book examines the unfolding covenants, and details what it means to live in a covenantal community with the church and with God. It is the family where we belong to each other, but ultimately to God. Through the covenants, I have come to deeply see and appreciate the rich rewards of fellowship with God and his people. I received a media copy of Reformed Covenant Theology and this is my honest review.

Dr. Perkins’ systematic approach to covenant theology is a clear, organized, and valuable contribution to the field Reformed covenant theology. Using concise exegesis, as well as a plethora of ancient, medieval, and Reformed theologians and confessions, the author concisely demonstrates the unfolding plan of redemptive history through covenants. Whereas this volume is a must-read for scholars in the fields of systematic, biblical, and covenant theologies, it also belongs on the shelf of every pastor who takes the Holy Scriptures seriously and seeks to faithfully proclaim the covenantal promise of God to his people. Each chapter has a clearly stated thesis as well as a helpful conclusion with application for the Christian life. Thus, in addition to scholars and pastors, the book is ideal for book studies within the church and is a must read for the thoughtful Christian layman. Particularly beneficial and refreshing are parts two and five on the “Covenant of Redemption” and “Living in God’s Covenant of Grace.” Scholars, pastors, and laypeople alike are indebted to Dr. Perkins and his work. I did not receive this book for free.

Covenant theology serves as a bridge between systematic and biblical theology. Understandably until now, the vast corpus of work in this area focused on the beautiful progression of God’s administration of His covenant with man through redemptive history. This has been to the expense of viewing the covenants through a systematic lens. Dr. Perkin’s book masterfully fills this void helping us to formulate proper categories by drawing clear distinctions without being antagonist. Far from a cold, intellectual exercise, he guides his reader from the orthodoxy of covenant theology to the resulting doxology in a covenantal context to the orthopraxy of the grateful recipient with particular focus toward pastoral concerns concluding each chapter. While certainly a robust academic endeavor, the inclined layperson should not shy away. Dr. Perkin’s clear style of communication makes this treasure trove accessible. A beautifully bound book that is a joy and, dare I say, fun - to read.

Greatly enjoyed this beautiful book from Lexham Press. It is thorough yet accessible, academic and, best of all, pastoral. Systematic theology done with a pastoral heart is my favorite. I'm not a card carrying reformed or covenant theologian but I was enriched learning from my (covenant) brother in Jesus (forgive the silly christian joke). Basically, this book attempts to communicate how humans communion with God is facilitated through covenants. As I mentioned I'm not a covenant theologian in the technical sense but the clear emphasis on communion with God is in the center of my heart. This is not a dry book, it is personal in tone and intent. If you want to explore covenant theology, this is a wonderful book for the task. (Also, its gorgeous, feels great, top notch production) I received this book for free but was not required to provide a positive review.