The Two Covenants

by Andrew Murray

Andrew Murray was born in South Africa in 1828. After receiving his education in Scotland and Holland, he returned to South Africa and spent many years there as both a pastor and missionary. He wrote over two hundred books, including some of the most enduring classics of Christian literature. He and his wife, Emma, raised eight children, and it is said that their home was an endless stream of activity.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Theology, Faith

190 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1941

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Murray was Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Murray became a noted missionary leader. His father was a Scottish Presbyterian serving the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa, and his mother had connections with both French Huguenots and German Lutherans. This background to some extent explains his ecumenical spirit. He was educated at Aberdeen University, Scotland, and at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. After ordination in 1848 he served pastorates at Bloemfontein, Worcester, Cape Town, and Wellington. He helped to found what are now the University College of the Orange Free State and the Stellenbosch Seminary. He served as Moderator of the Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church and was president of both the YMCA (1865) and the South Africa General Mission (1888-1917), now the Africa Evangelical Fellowship.

He was one of the chief promoters of the call to missions in South Africa. This led to the Dutch Reformed Church missions to blacks in the Transvaal and Malawi. Apart from his evangelistic tours in South Africa, he spoke at the Keswick and Northfield Conventions in 1895, making a great impression. upon his British and American audiences. For his contribution to world missions he was given an honorary doctorate by the universities of Aberdeen (1898) and Cape of Good Hope(1907).

Murray is best known today for his devotional writings, which place great emphasis on the need for a rich, personal devotional life. Many of his 240 publications explain in how he saw this devotion and its outworking in the life of the Christian. Several of his books have become devotional classics. Among these are Abide in Christ, Absolute Surrender, With Christ in the School of Prayer, The Spirit of Christ and Waiting on God.

Reviews

[Dave]

this tragically waas renamed by the christian booksellers. it should just be "two covenants." they feel like if it doesn't say "your blessings" you won't want to read it. i dont like marketing in the christian world but thats another subject.

andrew murray was an "expert" on hebrews. this book talks about the old covenant which was in principle based on man's ability to DO in order to obtain from God. man of course broke this covenant and god used that covenant to show us what we are. this is the law. but the the new covenant is based entirely on God. "I will put a new heart and a new spirit in you, and I will put my spirit in you. I will write my lwas in your hearts and minds and CAUSE you to walk in my ways." in the new covenant, the blessing is not something I'll get in exchange for something I do. rather it is Christ taking the obligation upon himself to do in my place what I cannot do, not only objcetively on the cross by paying for my sins, but now as my surety - guarantee before God and within me. working that which is pleasing to God within me. the new covenant is not like the former covenant "which we broke" but "I will put a new heart in you, and a new spirit in you, and will put my spirit in you,and i will write my law in your heart and mind and will cause you to walk in my ways."
harmony with God's will and obedience is a gift from god. what frustrates Him is our efforts. what liberates us is HIS work in us. however we have a transitional experience often times between the old and new covenant because we are not erady to give up on ourselves. we think if we just tried a LITTLE bit harder.... that delusion can last years without the help of little books like this one.

[Nathanaël · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lu dans le cadre de mes études, pour le cours de théologie biblique.

Bien que je ne partage pas plusieurs points de vue de l'auteur, que ce soit sur le sujet des alliances, ou d'autres évoqués au long du livre, il fait un bon travail pour montrer au lecteur à quel point la nouvelle alliance est excellente, et généreuse. Il ne faut pas s'attendre à une présentation systématique de la théologie des alliances : il s'agit bien pour l'auteur de prouver en quoi la nouvelle alliance est excellente, que bon nombre de chrétiens en néglige les privilèges, et que nous devrions en profiter d'avantage. Et je dois dire que sur ce point, il réussit, en nous donnant vraiment envie de goûter à la plénitude de cette nouvelle alliance.

Je conseille donc cette lecture soit pour connaître le point de vue de l'auteur sur la distinction ancienne/nouvelle alliance, soit (et surtout) pour être renouvelé dans l'appréciation de la grâce et de la miséricorde que Dieu répend sur son Eglise, en Jésus-Christ et par son Esprit-Saint.

[Jonathan Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was read online, downloaded and a print-out taken. The Christian bookstores do not have this book on their shelves. They tell me that Christians these days are not interested in the deeper spiritual stuff. They want something charismatic, with lots of blessings. It's all about 'self-gratification' - what do I get out of this?

This book must be read at least thrice. It is profound; essential reading for everyone who is born again and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. It is because many pastors and preachers don't understand the New Covenant of Grace that they fall into legalism and many other errors. Understanding the terms as explained by Murray: "Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant", "Jesus our Surety (or Guarantee)" is a tremendous revelation. Must be read, and studied carefully.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite Andrew Murray book always seems to be the one I'm reading at the moment. I'm re-reading this one to align with a summer study of the book of Hebrews. What a refreshing review of the power of the New Covenant in contrast with the old. One of my favorite lines from Chap. 18: Whatever we read about the new heart and God's devoted investment to it in the New Covenant must be boldly believed and put into action.
The intent is not to simply increase our knowledge, but to grow in our ongoing transformation. Great reminder!

[James Tetley · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second time of reading. An inspirational read about the place of the New Covenant in the Christian life. A true call to be people who embrace the indwelling Holy Spirit and the full covenant promises that Jesus has won. I disagree with Murray on the idea that we have new hearts with his law written on it still that we can keep it...Instead of a new heart we e have an indwelt heart. Murray's book is still not easy reading but gives a comprehensive overview of the New Covenant

[Michael Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

His passion and commitment to Christ and His word come through throughout the book. A good effort at comparing Old and New Covenants - the Old showing man’s deficiencies, the New showing God’s grace (not exclusively). Surrender is key.

[Catherine L Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent excellent, such good teaching. Recommend!

[Ross Millard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The secret for victorious living

Having craved to do my best for God this booklet provides the secret! Allow God to work the new covenant while resting in His work.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Murray was the writer of many devotional classics. In this book he compares the Old and New Covenants and expertly explains why the first one (in its seeming inadequacy) was necessary before the advent of the second.

Murray writes that if Christians had a true understanding of the nature of their covenant-making and covenant-keeping God, they would have the faith to move mountains. His Two Covenants is one of the most inspirational books I’ve read in years. Highly recommended!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me to stop struggling to try and change myself and helped me to understand what Christ had done for me!

[Elaine]

I have this book.

[Marilyn R.]

Awesome Book...Lots to learn...Will read it again...

[Shawn Reinsel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. Read this if you can find it.

[Vicki Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book opened my eyes to so many things. It was deep reading but so needed.

[Jeff Murto]

One of my all time favorite books!