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Discontinuity to Continuity: A Survey of Dispensational and Covenantal Theologies
What is the best framework for reading the Bible?
The question of how to relate the Old and New Testaments is as old as the Bible itself. While most Protestants are unified on the foundations, there are major disagreements on particular issues. Who should be baptized? Is the Christian obligated to obey the Law of Moses? Does the church supplant Israel? Who are the proper recipients of God's promises to Israel?
In Discontinuity to Continuity, Benjamin Merkle brings light to the debates between dispensational and covenantal theological systems. Merkle identifies how Christians have attempted to relate the Testaments, placing viewpoints along a spectrum of discontinuity to continuity. Each system's concerns are sympathetically summarized and critically evaluated.
Through his careful exposition of these frameworks, Merkle helps the reader understand the key issues in the debate. Providing more light than heat, Merkle's book will help all readers better appreciate other perspectives and articulate their own.
The question of how to relate the Old and New Testaments is as old as the Bible itself. While most Protestants are unified on the foundations, there are major disagreements on particular issues. Who should be baptized? Is the Christian obligated to obey the Law of Moses? Does the church supplant Israel? Who are the proper recipients of God's promises to Israel?
In Discontinuity to Continuity, Benjamin Merkle brings light to the debates between dispensational and covenantal theological systems. Merkle identifies how Christians have attempted to relate the Testaments, placing viewpoints along a spectrum of discontinuity to continuity. Each system's concerns are sympathetically summarized and critically evaluated.
Through his careful exposition of these frameworks, Merkle helps the reader understand the key issues in the debate. Providing more light than heat, Merkle's book will help all readers better appreciate other perspectives and articulate their own.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2020
92 people are currently reading
496 people want to read
About the author
Benjamin L. Merkle
17 books20 followersBenjamin L. Merkle (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is professor of New Testament and Greek at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
October 7, 2022
Gosh, this might be the most helpful theological book I have ever read. The author does a fantastic job describing six theological positions (Classic Dispensationalism, Revised Dispensationalism, Progressive Dispensationalism, Progressive Covenantalism, Covenant Theology, Christian reconstructionalism,) as he journeys from theological systems that emphasize discontinuity between the old and New Testaments to those that see more continuity within scripture. He does that by answering four fundamental questions from each theological framework. Those questions are
1. What is the basic hermeneutic?
2. How to they understand the Old Testament law?
3. What is the churches relationship to Israel?
4. How to they understand to kingdom of God?
Underneath those four broad questions are conversations on how each theological framework understands the salvation of Old Testament saints, how each system understands typology, and how their eschatological views differ. There is also a great discussion on how each system engages and interprets key texts like Romans 11, Galatians 6, Amos 9, and Acts 15.
For anyone who feels that the conversation surrounding dispensationalism and covenant theology is on the edge of your understanding, I would highly recommend this book. It is academic enough to be helpful to someone who has a theological inclination and is familiar with these categories, while at the same time being accessible to lay person.
After reading this book I feel that I find myself more confident as a progressive covenantalist.
As someone who considers himself a proud advocate of the reformed faith while at the same time holding to Baptist convictions and working within a dispensational church, I was aware that they are elements of covenant theology that I struggle to integrate into my preaching teaching and reading of the Bible. This book helped me understand that I can be within the reformed tradition, without having to hold to certain viewpoints of covenant theology such as law gospel distinction and the tricovenantal framework of scripture.
Highly highly recommend 🙌🏼
1. What is the basic hermeneutic?
2. How to they understand the Old Testament law?
3. What is the churches relationship to Israel?
4. How to they understand to kingdom of God?
Underneath those four broad questions are conversations on how each theological framework understands the salvation of Old Testament saints, how each system understands typology, and how their eschatological views differ. There is also a great discussion on how each system engages and interprets key texts like Romans 11, Galatians 6, Amos 9, and Acts 15.
For anyone who feels that the conversation surrounding dispensationalism and covenant theology is on the edge of your understanding, I would highly recommend this book. It is academic enough to be helpful to someone who has a theological inclination and is familiar with these categories, while at the same time being accessible to lay person.
After reading this book I feel that I find myself more confident as a progressive covenantalist.
As someone who considers himself a proud advocate of the reformed faith while at the same time holding to Baptist convictions and working within a dispensational church, I was aware that they are elements of covenant theology that I struggle to integrate into my preaching teaching and reading of the Bible. This book helped me understand that I can be within the reformed tradition, without having to hold to certain viewpoints of covenant theology such as law gospel distinction and the tricovenantal framework of scripture.
Highly highly recommend 🙌🏼
October 2, 2024
Very helpful! Merkle does an excellent job of representing the major views of Dispensational and Covenantal theologies (Classic Dispensationalism, Revised Dispensationalism, Progressive Dispensationalism, Progressive Covenantalism, Covenant Theology, and Christian Reconstructionism). Since Merkle's book aims towards informing his readers about different theological views, this book can be used as a safeguard against unwittingly mischaracterizing other theological views. If someone were to ask for a primer on the differing views on the spectrum of theological systems and what they are about (including their strengths and weaknesses), I would point to this book.
“This book is descriptive in nature. My goal is mainly to inform rather than persuade. It is often only when we are adequately informed that the viability of our own position is challenged. The reality is that no one has a perfect system, and so we need to humbly learn from others. . . . When we don’t understand others’ theological systems, it is easy to dismiss their views or, worse, demonize them. It is far too easy to attach some impure motives to those who disagree with us and question their spirituality. But once we understand someone’s theological framework and hermeneutical commitments, and not just their interpretation of a particular text, their view begins to at least make sense. It might be true that their view seems unlikely according to our theological perspective, but once we put on their theological spectacles, their view begins to seem possible and even plausible.” (ix, 2)
Reviews:
https://www.michaeljkruger.com/what-a...
https://readingacts.com/2020/07/11/bo...
https://www.booksataglance.com/book-r...
“This book is descriptive in nature. My goal is mainly to inform rather than persuade. It is often only when we are adequately informed that the viability of our own position is challenged. The reality is that no one has a perfect system, and so we need to humbly learn from others. . . . When we don’t understand others’ theological systems, it is easy to dismiss their views or, worse, demonize them. It is far too easy to attach some impure motives to those who disagree with us and question their spirituality. But once we understand someone’s theological framework and hermeneutical commitments, and not just their interpretation of a particular text, their view begins to at least make sense. It might be true that their view seems unlikely according to our theological perspective, but once we put on their theological spectacles, their view begins to seem possible and even plausible.” (ix, 2)
Reviews:
https://www.michaeljkruger.com/what-a...
https://readingacts.com/2020/07/11/bo...
https://www.booksataglance.com/book-r...
May 25, 2024
What an incredibly helpful and informative book. Merkle does an excellent job covering the landscape of these biblical-theological systems. He provides an abundance of quotations from primary proponents of each view and gives an incredibly descriptive analysis of each position along with his own assessment at the end.
I found each chapter very educational. I can see myself returning to this often.
I found each chapter very educational. I can see myself returning to this often.
August 12, 2020
I found this approach to differing theological views more helpful than the typical "views" books where various authors present their cases and provide rebuttals. However, the weakness with this is that the reader is dependent on the breadth of research and the selection of representatives for each position. In this case, there were notable scholars missing in some sections (e.g. under revised dispensationalism Alvan Mclain should have interacted with more). I felt like he focus in his evaluation of PD more on the negatives than the positives; Mabye that was just my impression because I agree with much under that position. His most harsh evaluation was of reconstructionism. I found it to be organized well and comparing apples with apples.
August 5, 2023
This is an incredibly helpful book to identify and understand the unique theological frameworks along the spectrum of discontinuity to continuity. The author had a formulaic approach in outlining 6 different theologies and how each theology answers the same set of questions differently. This made the flow of the book easy to follow which I appreciated.
I will say I think the book could’ve been condensed down since there was a lot of repeat information. It’s not necessarily a page turner and I definitely had to have my thinking cap on at all times while reading. Just the nature of the subject though. Took me awhile to get through this one haha.
Before reading this book I knew basically nothing about covenantal and dispensational theologies. Now I feel like I can articulate the major differences between covenant theology and dispensationalism. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to learn more about this conversation. Still have a lot to learn on this topic!
FYI - I think I find myself leaning toward progressive covenantalism. Would love any friends to come talk to me and share their opinions!
I will say I think the book could’ve been condensed down since there was a lot of repeat information. It’s not necessarily a page turner and I definitely had to have my thinking cap on at all times while reading. Just the nature of the subject though. Took me awhile to get through this one haha.
Before reading this book I knew basically nothing about covenantal and dispensational theologies. Now I feel like I can articulate the major differences between covenant theology and dispensationalism. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to learn more about this conversation. Still have a lot to learn on this topic!
FYI - I think I find myself leaning toward progressive covenantalism. Would love any friends to come talk to me and share their opinions!
June 2, 2024
I honestly think this was one of the most needed books, at least for myself. I certainly appreciate much of the dispensationalist tenets more than I thought.
I found myself agreeing much with progressive covenantalism and covenant theology (hence, Reformed Baptist).
A church’s elders would be helped to walk through this together.
I found myself agreeing much with progressive covenantalism and covenant theology (hence, Reformed Baptist).
A church’s elders would be helped to walk through this together.
August 11, 2025
In the introduction (well worth a read on its own), Merkle states his aim is to help people avoid internally “incompatible” theological positions.
Reevaluating one’s own perspective in light of another’s helps to avoid positions incompatible with themselves or with the world they are trying to explain.
When the position at issue has to do with the continuity or discontinuity of scripture, the working relationship between humility and conviction becomes crucial.
For, at the crux of conviction and humility arises the ability to pay attention to other perspectives - and see your own anew.
Merkle presents several perspectives on the continuity of the cannon in their own right - he’s descriptive, not prescriptive….
His approach installed some shelves in my brain to 1) help me organize bits of information relating to the continuity and discontinuity of the biblical canon and 2) to begin to situate myself (my beliefs) in relation to the various positions.
Reevaluating one’s own perspective in light of another’s helps to avoid positions incompatible with themselves or with the world they are trying to explain.
When the position at issue has to do with the continuity or discontinuity of scripture, the working relationship between humility and conviction becomes crucial.
For, at the crux of conviction and humility arises the ability to pay attention to other perspectives - and see your own anew.
Merkle presents several perspectives on the continuity of the cannon in their own right - he’s descriptive, not prescriptive….
His approach installed some shelves in my brain to 1) help me organize bits of information relating to the continuity and discontinuity of the biblical canon and 2) to begin to situate myself (my beliefs) in relation to the various positions.
March 17, 2023
Merkle does well at a high-level survey of six major views. He admits that there could have been far more views included, but this book would be helpful for any church member as a thoughtful survey. I found it to be beneficial that he didn’t really weigh in on what the ‘right’ or ‘best’ approach is, but simply laid out facts.
December 25, 2020
This was the most theologically significant book I have read this year.
Drawing from primary sources across the spectrum of six theological systems, Merkle’s side-by-side comparison shows how the question of continuity between the Testaments is the great determining factor. Of course, the breakdown in communication occurs because instead of talking about different presuppositions that go into choosing our systems, we argue about specific verses. We come to the conclusions our starting points determine.
If you want to understand people coming from a different place on the spectrum as you, read this book. If you want to understand the place you start from, read this book. If you have any desire to work the bugs out of whatever system you are committed to, this book is a great place to begin.
Drawing from primary sources across the spectrum of six theological systems, Merkle’s side-by-side comparison shows how the question of continuity between the Testaments is the great determining factor. Of course, the breakdown in communication occurs because instead of talking about different presuppositions that go into choosing our systems, we argue about specific verses. We come to the conclusions our starting points determine.
If you want to understand people coming from a different place on the spectrum as you, read this book. If you want to understand the place you start from, read this book. If you have any desire to work the bugs out of whatever system you are committed to, this book is a great place to begin.
April 19, 2024
Wicked helpful book surveying the major theological systems regarding eschatology. If you need clarity on who believes what and why, highly suggest this read.
(Read for class, the entire book wasn't assigned but we read most of it)
(Read for class, the entire book wasn't assigned but we read most of it)
March 3, 2024
This is a very helpful informative resource. Overall, very balanced. I’m giving four stars only because each of the theological systems surveyed in the book are primarily represented by only three theologians each. Also, there are times when one is left wanting more, although Merkle acknowledges this, thus the point of surveying each system instead of doing a deep dive with each.
July 12, 2023
This book is needed. Or at least I needed it. I always felt books of this nature have so often in my experience been a proponent of one view at the expense of the others. To be sure, there’s a place for a few of those, but I found it helpful to have each of the positions laid out respectfully side by side. Mr. Merkle excelled with that set up. The careful reader can probably find his position, but that it was hard to find is amazing on this subject where everyone likes to be a screaming fan of the team they are on. In other words, this subject with its implications for the big picture of Scripture needed this approach. And Mr. Merkle delivered.
The only negative, and it’s not that huge, is that the terms “discontinuity” and “continuity” are loaded terms in this case. “Discontinuity” is really a negative term and is not a great distance from “chaos”. Clearly those on the side of “continuity” slyly chose these terms. In Mr. Merkle’s defense, he did not create these labels.
It’s also not surprising that this discussion is tricky. Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology have been the big boys at the table for a long time. Both have issues because they, with good intentions I’m sure, tried to make sense of the Bible at large. They both tried to pack in more than the systems could hold resulting in ruptures in places where the excess pops out. There’s as much theological positions from other major issues being crammed in as unadulterated Bible being brought in. No wonder it’s hard to keep straight.
Mr. Merkle was a gentleman in a space where few reside and it paid off. I enjoyed going through his thoughtful, careful presentation of each position. Every position had something to be commended for even though they may have been boxed in at times. You could tell (he listed them in the acknowledgements) that he genuinely interacted with those in each position. That paid off too.
His framework of comparing, a) basic hermeneutic, b) view of the covenants, c) view of Israel and the church, and d) view of the Kingdom of God was well conceived. It didn’t favor any position and got at the real goal of just explaining positions.
I didn’t change my position, but I honed a few important points in my mind. This book helped me and I suspect it could help anyone. It’s a keeper.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The only negative, and it’s not that huge, is that the terms “discontinuity” and “continuity” are loaded terms in this case. “Discontinuity” is really a negative term and is not a great distance from “chaos”. Clearly those on the side of “continuity” slyly chose these terms. In Mr. Merkle’s defense, he did not create these labels.
It’s also not surprising that this discussion is tricky. Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology have been the big boys at the table for a long time. Both have issues because they, with good intentions I’m sure, tried to make sense of the Bible at large. They both tried to pack in more than the systems could hold resulting in ruptures in places where the excess pops out. There’s as much theological positions from other major issues being crammed in as unadulterated Bible being brought in. No wonder it’s hard to keep straight.
Mr. Merkle was a gentleman in a space where few reside and it paid off. I enjoyed going through his thoughtful, careful presentation of each position. Every position had something to be commended for even though they may have been boxed in at times. You could tell (he listed them in the acknowledgements) that he genuinely interacted with those in each position. That paid off too.
His framework of comparing, a) basic hermeneutic, b) view of the covenants, c) view of Israel and the church, and d) view of the Kingdom of God was well conceived. It didn’t favor any position and got at the real goal of just explaining positions.
I didn’t change my position, but I honed a few important points in my mind. This book helped me and I suspect it could help anyone. It’s a keeper.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
January 6, 2024
This is a very helpful resource in learning the basics of dispensational and covenant theologies.
I read this a couple years ago while co-teaching a Sunday school class on the 10 Commandments, and it gave me valuable background in how the 6 perspectives presented in the book view God’s law and why, among other topics. Dr. Merkle cites primary sources and explains the differences of each position simply and fairly.
There is also fun in referring back to this book if your theology changes over time.
For example, when I first read this I was split between Progressive Dispensationalism and Progressive Covenantalism. Now, as of this writing, I have moved further into continuity, somewhere in between Covenant Theology and Reconstructionism. I expect this book will be helpful to readers well beyond their initial reading.
I read this a couple years ago while co-teaching a Sunday school class on the 10 Commandments, and it gave me valuable background in how the 6 perspectives presented in the book view God’s law and why, among other topics. Dr. Merkle cites primary sources and explains the differences of each position simply and fairly.
There is also fun in referring back to this book if your theology changes over time.
For example, when I first read this I was split between Progressive Dispensationalism and Progressive Covenantalism. Now, as of this writing, I have moved further into continuity, somewhere in between Covenant Theology and Reconstructionism. I expect this book will be helpful to readers well beyond their initial reading.
June 30, 2020
I have always struggled with understanding dispensational and covenantal theologies. In Discontinuity to Continuity, Benjamin L. Merkle provides a survey of these theologies and introduces a framework for understanding them.
Know What You Believe
Merkle is professor of New Testament and Greek at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is an author of multiple books and editor of Southeastern Theological Review and the 40 Questions Series for Kregel publications. In this book, he writes with clarity and caution to give nuance and balance to the different systems.
From the beginning, Merkle states that he does not wish to persuade the reader to a certain side or theological camp. Rather, he hopes that this book will help you know what you believe, appreciate the views of others, recognize that your theological system is not perfect, and strive to be a person of the Book. I found all of these to be true in my case.
Distinguishing the Different Frameworks
The theological systems of discontinuity and continuity are introduced, and I found it to be incredibly helpful for my layman’s understanding. The book lays out six theological systems on a scale from discontinuity (dispensationalism) to continuity (covenantalsim): (1) classic dispensationalism, (2) revised dispensationalism, (3) progressive dispensationalism, (4) progressive covenantalism, (5) covenant theology, and (6) Christian reconstructionism.
This is an academic book, and it will help to have some experience in thinking through these theologies. Merkle helps us distinguish the different frameworks by asking four questions: (1) What is the basic hermeneutic? (2) What is the relationship between the covenants? (3) What is the relationship between Israel and the Church? and (4) What is the Kingdom of God? These questions have many subcomponents, and I found myself thinking through these questions with a keen mind.
A More Mature Understanding
In each chapter, he provides the premiere scholars for each system while giving their background, which sheds some light as to maybe why they hold to a particular view. Classic dispensationalism is represented by Darby, Scofield, and Chafer. Revised dispensationalism is represented by Ryrie, Walvoord, and Pentecost. Progressive dispensationalism is represented by Blaising, Bock, and Saucy. Progressive covenantalism is represented by Gentry, Wellum, and other key representatives. Covenant theology is represented by Horton, Robertson, and Kline. Christian reconstructionism is represented by Rushdoony, Bahnsen, and North.
Admittedly, I had grossly oversimplified the theologies in my own mind. As Merkle differentiated and distinguished the views, I was able to come to a more mature understanding. As Merkle presented the strengths and weaknesses of each view, I was able to see how the separate systems can be respected while still analyzed through a critical lens.
Perspective and Precision
I am not going to pretend like I am coming away having mastered the material after reading this book. I have much to think through as I consider the strengths of other views as well as the weaknesses of my own. But this an excellent book and an unparalleled reference tool, which has brought perspective and precision to my thinking, and I am drawn to know Christ more intimately through his Word.
I received a media copy of Discontinuity to Continuity, and this is my honest review.
Know What You Believe
Merkle is professor of New Testament and Greek at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is an author of multiple books and editor of Southeastern Theological Review and the 40 Questions Series for Kregel publications. In this book, he writes with clarity and caution to give nuance and balance to the different systems.
From the beginning, Merkle states that he does not wish to persuade the reader to a certain side or theological camp. Rather, he hopes that this book will help you know what you believe, appreciate the views of others, recognize that your theological system is not perfect, and strive to be a person of the Book. I found all of these to be true in my case.
Distinguishing the Different Frameworks
The theological systems of discontinuity and continuity are introduced, and I found it to be incredibly helpful for my layman’s understanding. The book lays out six theological systems on a scale from discontinuity (dispensationalism) to continuity (covenantalsim): (1) classic dispensationalism, (2) revised dispensationalism, (3) progressive dispensationalism, (4) progressive covenantalism, (5) covenant theology, and (6) Christian reconstructionism.
This is an academic book, and it will help to have some experience in thinking through these theologies. Merkle helps us distinguish the different frameworks by asking four questions: (1) What is the basic hermeneutic? (2) What is the relationship between the covenants? (3) What is the relationship between Israel and the Church? and (4) What is the Kingdom of God? These questions have many subcomponents, and I found myself thinking through these questions with a keen mind.
A More Mature Understanding
In each chapter, he provides the premiere scholars for each system while giving their background, which sheds some light as to maybe why they hold to a particular view. Classic dispensationalism is represented by Darby, Scofield, and Chafer. Revised dispensationalism is represented by Ryrie, Walvoord, and Pentecost. Progressive dispensationalism is represented by Blaising, Bock, and Saucy. Progressive covenantalism is represented by Gentry, Wellum, and other key representatives. Covenant theology is represented by Horton, Robertson, and Kline. Christian reconstructionism is represented by Rushdoony, Bahnsen, and North.
Admittedly, I had grossly oversimplified the theologies in my own mind. As Merkle differentiated and distinguished the views, I was able to come to a more mature understanding. As Merkle presented the strengths and weaknesses of each view, I was able to see how the separate systems can be respected while still analyzed through a critical lens.
Perspective and Precision
I am not going to pretend like I am coming away having mastered the material after reading this book. I have much to think through as I consider the strengths of other views as well as the weaknesses of my own. But this an excellent book and an unparalleled reference tool, which has brought perspective and precision to my thinking, and I am drawn to know Christ more intimately through his Word.
I received a media copy of Discontinuity to Continuity, and this is my honest review.
December 28, 2020
Excellent idea for a book and I'm glad somebody put this together. Absolutely needed to be done. The book is a (relatively) short resource laying out a range of biblical theological systems, exploring their commonalities and differences, placing them on a spectrum from discontinuity to continuity between the old and new testaments.
At times the wording of certain sections was a little clunky, and I wondered if theologians representing the relevant perspective would quite put it like that, but mate, the guy's trying to summarise six different systems fairly and objectively in a short amount of space, while holding that five of them are wrong! He did a far better job than I would have. On that note, I think Merkle did a good job in being objective, not even revealing which perspective he adopted (though I have a hunch he at least is not a dispensationalist). Overall, it's a great book, but with an edit, it would be an excellent book.
At times the wording of certain sections was a little clunky, and I wondered if theologians representing the relevant perspective would quite put it like that, but mate, the guy's trying to summarise six different systems fairly and objectively in a short amount of space, while holding that five of them are wrong! He did a far better job than I would have. On that note, I think Merkle did a good job in being objective, not even revealing which perspective he adopted (though I have a hunch he at least is not a dispensationalist). Overall, it's a great book, but with an edit, it would be an excellent book.
July 4, 2024
This book clearly lays out 6 theological positions without bias. I appreciate the extensive footnotes of the author in this book to make it easier to follow the different viewpoints. It’s so interesting to see the convictions and the “why” behind them of these brothers and sisters in Christ. I appreciate how the author asked and answered the exact same questions for each viewpoint. This really helped me understand the positions and be able to align as closely with one as I could. Great read and will definitely help you think more clearly about interpreting and applying Scripture!
June 29, 2021
A great survey of dispensational and covenant theologies. By placing the six systems (there are more than six out there, but this book only covers six) on a scale of discontinuity to continuity, the basic tenets of each system are clear and and easy to understand. This is an important topic, as the view one holds will inevitably determine how they read the Bible and what theological conclusions they draw from that reading. For an introductory look into six popular views, this book is amazing!
November 30, 2021
Merkle does a great job breaking down the tenants of theologies ranging between dispensationalism and covenant theology. He describes a continuum that starts with the Classic Dispensationalism, moves progressively through Revised Dispensationalism, then Progressive Dispensationalism on the "Discontinuity" side. He then moves to the "Continuity" side of the spectrum to outline Progressive Covenantalism, Covenant Theology, and lastly Christian Reconstructionism.
In order to more clearly note the differences between the 6 theologies, Merkle answers the following four questions:
1. What is the basic hermeneutic?
2. What is the relationship between the covenants?
3. What is the relationship between Israel and the church?
4. What is the Kingdom of God?
In order to answer these questions, Merkle pulls references from three primary followers of each noted theology. He also seems to take an unbiased approach throughout the book and gives a brief list of strengths and weaknesses that have been cited throughout history for each theology.
In order to more clearly note the differences between the 6 theologies, Merkle answers the following four questions:
1. What is the basic hermeneutic?
2. What is the relationship between the covenants?
3. What is the relationship between Israel and the church?
4. What is the Kingdom of God?
In order to answer these questions, Merkle pulls references from three primary followers of each noted theology. He also seems to take an unbiased approach throughout the book and gives a brief list of strengths and weaknesses that have been cited throughout history for each theology.
September 5, 2024
Probably the most accessible and most objective survey of theological systems, from Dispensationalism to Covenant Theolog(ies). The format of asking the same questions of each system was really helpful in comparing. There are benefits to reading the various views books where proponents of each position explain and defend their position. And there are benefits to a book like this where a knowledgeable individual seeks to objectively compare the positions.
November 5, 2025
This is a very helpful assessment of 6 (but not every) major hermeneutical approaches to the Bible. Merkle looks at each system as objectively as he can, providing answers to 4 main questions: what is the basic hermeneutic, what is the relationship between the covenants, what is the relationship between Israel and the church, and what is the kingdom of God? He deals with some sub-questions under these 4 main questions as well.
May 19, 2020
A friend recommended this book as a helpful summary and introduction to the various Covenantal and Dispensational views/systems. I did find it to be quite helpful. The author’s structure and descriptions were easily to follow, and the book provided a great comparison and contrast. I believe the interested reader will benefit greatly from reading this book.
April 15, 2025
Dr. Merkle does a fantastic job of detailing the 6 theological systems without bias. Excellent research and facts. This book helped me understand tremendously the origins and beliefs of the major systems that Christians believe today. I recommend all believers read this book.
Also very interested in Christian Reconstructionism
Also very interested in Christian Reconstructionism
November 9, 2021
Extremely helpful unbiased survey on dispensational to covenantal theologies and everything in between. This will be a go to book for me when needing a refresher on the specifics. Thankful it was recommended.
November 29, 2021
A helpful survey that accomplishes what it sets out to do. Merkle represents each system fairly and clearly, and does an effective job of highlighting the core tenets and values upon which each position stands.
November 26, 2024
Helpful book!
It seems, in my humble opinion, that some of the categorization of various Biblical Theologies are saying very similar or the same thing and Theobros are trying to make a big deal out of it because they wish they were born during the reformation.
It seems, in my humble opinion, that some of the categorization of various Biblical Theologies are saying very similar or the same thing and Theobros are trying to make a big deal out of it because they wish they were born during the reformation.
January 9, 2025
okay so good! this was incredibly formational in my presbyterian quest and fed my desire to always have an informed opinion. four stars because this thang is basically a text book and my reading comprehension could be better!
May 30, 2025
So helpful. Merkle lays out the different views with clarity and fairness, giving each position a real hearing.
It reinforced for me—again, with all love and respect—that I just don’t get dispensationalism. Progressive Covenantalism forever!
It reinforced for me—again, with all love and respect—that I just don’t get dispensationalism. Progressive Covenantalism forever!
December 31, 2024
Use words like “progressive dispensationalism” to impress all your friends.
November 26, 2021
Very good.
July 8, 2025
Not the most engaging read but very helpful nonetheless. Goes a long way in untangling the dominant theological systems out there.
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