In Granite or Ingrained?: What the Old and New Covenants Reveal about the Gospel, the Law, and the Sabbath

by Skip MacCarty

Popular claims about the old and new covenants have diminished the gospel and narrowed the faith and spiritual life of millions of Christians. Those claims have introduced confusion about what it truly means to "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."Christians earnest in their walk with the Lord will see a dynamic element of the gospel in the profound relationship between love and law. They will, perhaps for the first time, understand the apparent dichotomy of old and new covenants in the New Testament. And in the process they will be confronted with a powerful appeal and an unmistakable warning."Skip MacCarty has caught the spirit and the intent of the covenants and their relationship as well as anyone I know. The American evangelical church tends to build its theological structures on the basis of Paul’s polemical statements about the law, sometimes without sufficient reference either to the polemical nature of those statements or the doubt those perspectives might cast on the integrity of Moses and the prophets, or perhaps even God Himself."In this volume MacCarty offers a brilliant defense of the fundamental unity of the Scriptures. Writing with passion and careful thought, he begins by demonstrating that the fundamental character of God’s covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Israel was determined by the DNA of the new covenant (Jeremiah 31). After helpfully distinguishing between the historical and experiential old and new covenants, he invites his readers to celebrate with him the glorious fact that in the old covenant, as much as in the new covenant, God offers a 'grace-based, gospel-bearing, and mission-directed' covenantal relationship with Himself. Until Christians grasp this message, the Old Testament will remain a dead book to the church." –Daniel I. Block, professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College"This is one of the most important books available about the relationship between the gospel, the law, and the Sabbath." –Norman R. Gulley, research professor in systematic theology, Southern Adventist University"I consider this to be one of the best treatments on the old and new covenants. The work is well-documented and yet straightforward. It is clear, forceful, biblical, cogent, lucid. And MacCarty’s writing style meets a wide audience, from scholars to laity." –Richard Davidson, J. N. Andrews professor of Old Testament exegesis, Andrews University"This is a must read for people interested in this all-important subject." –George R. Knight, professor of church history, Andrews UniversitySkip MacCarty is associate pastor for evangelism at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree and is a specialist on the relationship between stress and spiritual life.

303 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 21, 2007

Reviews

[Laura McAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful Study

This book has helped me in my understanding of the covenants. It is detailed. It has helped me see that God’s covenant has been there with us from the beginning. The problem with the old was the response and Jesus brings us a new relationship and response to the covenant through him. Grace and mercy are seen through the entire Bible. Glory!

[leroy king · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Good book easy to read really enjoyed reading this book challenging but thought provoking made me think outside the box and want to read more on the subject.