Covenant Foundations: Understanding the Promise–Keeping God of the Bible

by Alec Motyer

Esteemed scholar, Alec Motyer, presents a salvation pledge on display in this introduction to Old Testament covenant theology Signs, laws, sacrifices, kings, How do they all fit together? Alec Motyer answers with five lectures that intricately trace God’s covenant from its origins in the narrative of Noah and Abraham, through the establishment of the law, towards its climax in Christ. From the beginning of time, God has been making his ways and nature known to his people. Unpack the purpose of signs, make sense of Passover and look beyond the insufficient sacrifices and failing monarchy. Through approaching the Old Testament with a fresh appreciation of the covenant meta–narrative, the lines of covenant theology are seen to converge with salvation as their ultimate focal point. Join Motyer on a journey that connects the dots across God’s carefully orchestrated redemptive history to glimpse a greater vision of the salvation masterplan brought to fulfilment by the promise–making, promise–keeping God

136 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2024

Reviews

[Mark E. Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for covenant theology!

[Jeremy Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful little book!

[Mark Wooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for an overview of covenant themes and how they look forward to their fulfillment in Christ. Less of delving into specifics of different iterations of covenant, but more broad strokes. These were lectures later turned into a book and the love of the Word and the covenant really comes through.

[Adam Kareus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but deep walk through of the covenant theology of the Old Testament (and pointing into the New). An easy read and good overview of covenants in action for anyone looking to dive a little deeper into the topic.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to find such comfort and pleasure in a theology book. But the font and typeface and pages really helped. To understand God better as trust worthy. There were some slay passages that made me write on them : grace - law - grace

[Andrew Farr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic overview of covenant theology. A good introduction that is non-technical and able to be grasped by those new to covenant theology.

[Derrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book. You will be awed by the glorious redemptive work of our covenant keeping God. It’s not often that a theology book brings me to tears. This one did.

[Justin McGuire · Rating 4 out of 5]

“So his final word to us all would be: become a Bible-lover. For those who love the Bible cannot fail to fall in love with the God of the Bible, who commits Himself to us in covenant love and shows that love in Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Steve Motyer, in the postscript

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why is it so difficult to find theological works that consider the reader, with a friendly, conversational tone? How pleasant it is to have read Alec Motyer's beautiful biblical theological approach to the topic of covenant in the Old Testament, in which he acts like a friendly guide, unfolding the Bible's teaching on the Old Testament covenants. This is not a book on Reformed Covenant Theology, as I thought it might be, but is wonderfully deep, even though it is not written for a scholarly audience. This book makes you feel as though you are sitting in Dr. Motyer's class, absorbing what you can from a man who is clearly well-qualified to teach it. Motyer has a pastoral warmth about his writing and I look forward to reading more of his work.

[Andrew Canavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great not as an introduction to covenant theology or as a 30,000 foot overview (which is what I expected) but, instead, as a wonderful reflection on Old Testament texts that can only be understood within the framework of covenantal unity between the testaments, fulfilled in Christ. Pair this book with something precise on covenant theology (like Sacred Bond or, dare I say, the Westminster Standards) and you’ll learn well how the whole Bible fits together.

[History7teacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

This book is such a clear and heartwarming explanation of the covenants of the Bible and how they fit together, and what they promise to us. Every section was fresh and made my heart stop and give thanks to God for such grace.
This book should be read by everyone, over and over. Its that good!

[David Northup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Starts at the beginning with Adam and Eve. Emphasis on God's sovereign covenants with his beloved people. Shows the process of God's revelation of Himself to His people and the world as the ages rolled on and of course pointing to the future with our ultimate reconciliation to Him in eternity. Showed me things to be grateful for.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strengths:
*Motyer is a clear and cogent biblical scholar of the highest order.
* Numerous helpful biblical-theological insights
*Clear understanding of a unified bible

Weaknesses
*no covenant of works - this alone calls for a deduction of one whole star from my rating

[Erik Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of lectures put into book form. Great intro to the covenants. Particularly insightful regarding the curses in the original covenant and the perfection of the covenantal aims in Christ. I wanted more of a climactic ending but it had more of a wind down. Wonderful, nevertheless.

[David J. Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well done, with an odd emphasis here and there. This would be great to give to a new Christian especially for inoculation against Marcionism or Marcionism-lite.

[Tim Franks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview on Old Testament Covenant Theology. Really good coverage of the theology and biblical backing for the beliefs. Really helpful looking at how God viewed covenants.

[♪ Kim N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resource for my current study in Genesis