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Understanding the Whole Bible: The King, the Kingdom, and the New Covenant
This textbook is the distillation of a nineteen-week course, Understanding the Whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation taught by Author and Theologian Dr. Jonathan Welton. If you want to devour the Word, this textbook will give you the knife, fork and even tuck in your napkin and teach you how to eat! Topics include: - Learn the difference between Systematic and Biblical Theology - How did we get our Bible? - Translations and study tools - Freewill versus Predestination - Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology - Cessationism and Supernaturalism - The Five Major Covenants: Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and the New Covenant - The Covenant Promises fulfilled - God is not an Old Covenant monster - Understanding the At-One-Ment - Better Covenant Theology - The Great Covenant Transition - The End of Age - The Unveiling of Jesus - The One Law of the New Covenant World
- GenresTheology
456 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2014
83 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Welton
48 books77 followersA fifth generation believer, Jonathan Welton is propelled by a powerful Christian heritage. Exhibiting extraordinary wisdom as a teacher, he helps individuals discover fresh experiences of kingdom realities. Even those who have grown up in the church are challenged afresh as they hear the unique perspective that Jonathan carries.
With a duel calling of both teacher and seer, Jonathan raises the standard for walking in wisdom, character and power. Carrying a revelatory forerunner anointing, he trains and equips believers to use their spiritual senses to see in the unseen realm. Jonathan has earned two Masters Degrees, one in Biblical Studies and the other in Practical Ministry, as well as the National Herald of Christ award. Jonathan is the author of four books. The School of the Seers, Normal Christianity, Eyes of Honor, and Raptureless. He is currently working on his Doctorate of Theology and lives in Rochester, NY
With a duel calling of both teacher and seer, Jonathan raises the standard for walking in wisdom, character and power. Carrying a revelatory forerunner anointing, he trains and equips believers to use their spiritual senses to see in the unseen realm. Jonathan has earned two Masters Degrees, one in Biblical Studies and the other in Practical Ministry, as well as the National Herald of Christ award. Jonathan is the author of four books. The School of the Seers, Normal Christianity, Eyes of Honor, and Raptureless. He is currently working on his Doctorate of Theology and lives in Rochester, NY
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 26, 2015
"We were not born in sin" and "Jesus did not die in our place"
This is just a small taste of what you will read in this book. He takes almost every doctrine believed by orthodox Christians and holds to the opposite position. He is a total Pelagian in his view of salvation and also believes that Jesus did not take the punishment for our sin on the cross.
He created a whole new theological system called "Better Covenant Theology" Watch out when someone creates a whole new system of theology(Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, etc), there is no accountability from the saints who have gone before us. I guess most Christians have had it wrong all these years. Almost every scripture is twisted to mean the exact opposite of what it plainly says. When it can't be twisted, he just says the translation is wrong.
The only good thing is it is very readable, but that just means you understand exactly what he believes. It is over priced for a small 300-400 page volume(the HB will cost you $70)and is not worth the money or time.
Do yourself a favor and pick up Grudem's Systematic theology. BTW, he believes they (Systematic theologies)are wrong also.
This is just a small taste of what you will read in this book. He takes almost every doctrine believed by orthodox Christians and holds to the opposite position. He is a total Pelagian in his view of salvation and also believes that Jesus did not take the punishment for our sin on the cross.
He created a whole new theological system called "Better Covenant Theology" Watch out when someone creates a whole new system of theology(Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, etc), there is no accountability from the saints who have gone before us. I guess most Christians have had it wrong all these years. Almost every scripture is twisted to mean the exact opposite of what it plainly says. When it can't be twisted, he just says the translation is wrong.
The only good thing is it is very readable, but that just means you understand exactly what he believes. It is over priced for a small 300-400 page volume(the HB will cost you $70)and is not worth the money or time.
Do yourself a favor and pick up Grudem's Systematic theology. BTW, he believes they (Systematic theologies)are wrong also.
June 3, 2017
This brings such clarity to many questions I've had about the Bible and has even challenged the lens in which I read through. I am not a newbie in reading the Bible.
Many ideas I had adopted through culture about God were brought to light. I wish everyone would read this.
We do not have to believe every statement to glean tremendous insight. One of the reviewers pulled some statements without including context, maybe because some of their views were challenged.
Yes, the author believes in the fundamental gospel of Jesus Christ and his payment for our sin.
Yes, this is the best book I've ever read about the understanding the Bible.
Many ideas I had adopted through culture about God were brought to light. I wish everyone would read this.
We do not have to believe every statement to glean tremendous insight. One of the reviewers pulled some statements without including context, maybe because some of their views were challenged.
Yes, the author believes in the fundamental gospel of Jesus Christ and his payment for our sin.
Yes, this is the best book I've ever read about the understanding the Bible.
October 11, 2017
Excellent book! I love the way Dr. Welton takes you on a fresh journey through the Scriptures, taking particular care to work through the covenants as these are the basis of the whole Bible. He’ll challenge what you thought were solid Biblical theology only for you to discover you are actually leaning heavily on Church tradition and not the Word of God. Remove those blinkers and give this book a go.
December 31, 2018
This is without a doubt a must read for foundations in christianity, and the best part is by the time you're done you'll know more about scripture than most Christians probably.
March 15, 2019
I would recommend this to anyone who considers themselves a Christian or a Follower of Christ or anyone who turned their back on God due to the Old Testament.
December 15, 2022
Eye opener
The best I have ever read about understanding the Bible . Highly recommend this book if you want to grow on your knowledge with God and understand how to read the Bible
The best I have ever read about understanding the Bible . Highly recommend this book if you want to grow on your knowledge with God and understand how to read the Bible
July 26, 2017
How does one summarize this entire volume? It is a masterful overview of a fresh approach to Biblical interpretation. Through the lens of Better Covenant theology the author shows how marvellous of a situation we now find ourselves in. This was such a new perspective for me that I will be interacting with it for years to come. I'll also need to read his other works to hopefully gain a deeper understanding of his perspective. However, I can say that in so many ways it sat well with my spirit and the ways in which I have come to see the power of the finished work of the Cross. Jesus really did establish a better covenant and we're all included! Discovering all that means for us today is the call of all people in every place.
Not only does Dr. Welton go into his Better Covenant Theology he also does a fantastic job of setting the foundations for Biblical study and just what 'understanding the whole Bible' could look like. He unmasks the common filters we bring to the text so we can become aware of our own biases and begin to allow Scripture to question them. He dives deep into the topic of covenant, explaining the types, identifying those we see in Scripture, and bringing all that knowledge to bear on the work of Christ. It really is a treasure trove of Biblical scholarship.
I would recommend this book as an introduction to theology for many students with the caveat that it is not the dominant perspective in Evangelical Christianity. Dr. Welton knows that and he is consistent in helping his readers interact with the major perspectives and working through some of their inherent problems. In many places throughout this work I agreed with him. In others I found myself wondering where I stood. This is what a good theology book does and for that it's definitely worth the read.
Not only does Dr. Welton go into his Better Covenant Theology he also does a fantastic job of setting the foundations for Biblical study and just what 'understanding the whole Bible' could look like. He unmasks the common filters we bring to the text so we can become aware of our own biases and begin to allow Scripture to question them. He dives deep into the topic of covenant, explaining the types, identifying those we see in Scripture, and bringing all that knowledge to bear on the work of Christ. It really is a treasure trove of Biblical scholarship.
I would recommend this book as an introduction to theology for many students with the caveat that it is not the dominant perspective in Evangelical Christianity. Dr. Welton knows that and he is consistent in helping his readers interact with the major perspectives and working through some of their inherent problems. In many places throughout this work I agreed with him. In others I found myself wondering where I stood. This is what a good theology book does and for that it's definitely worth the read.
October 18, 2023
Interesting and insufficient….
I liked the beginning of this book the most. Early portions deal with filters and differing theological viewpoints and it seems to do so in a bit more even-handed of a way than it does as it goes on.
Towards the end of the book, it feels more like a vehicle to decidedly disagree with and dismiss certain ways of looking at certain passages or issues. For example, the chapter on atonement theory feels like less of an exploration of penal substitution and more a refutation of it and a defense for Christus Victor. It also seems to me that if one theological viewpoint is “clearly” true according to one group and another is “clearly” true to another, then nothing is “clearly” true. We must wrestle with scripture and live in tension…
Ultimately, the survey portion of the book (first section) is good. It fails to live up to its title, as OT wisdom literature isn’t given its own section, nor are minor prophets, nor are epistles (so how can I understand the “whole” Bible without understanding these more clearly?) Perhaps that is not the authors intent, but the title of the book seems to indicate it is!
I’d sooner see it renamed as “a survey of the covenants” as I do appreciate the elaboration on the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic and Davidic covenants, and that seems to be the thrust of the book.
I also came into this book with a pinch of salt already in hand, as someone I’ve not heard of (no disrespect intended) comes along with a book that’s supposed to help me understand the whole Bible, and his credentials are being president of his own (supernatural) Bible school and originating a new theological system….get your salt shakers ready, too.
All told, worth a read. See what you agree and disagree with!
I liked the beginning of this book the most. Early portions deal with filters and differing theological viewpoints and it seems to do so in a bit more even-handed of a way than it does as it goes on.
Towards the end of the book, it feels more like a vehicle to decidedly disagree with and dismiss certain ways of looking at certain passages or issues. For example, the chapter on atonement theory feels like less of an exploration of penal substitution and more a refutation of it and a defense for Christus Victor. It also seems to me that if one theological viewpoint is “clearly” true according to one group and another is “clearly” true to another, then nothing is “clearly” true. We must wrestle with scripture and live in tension…
Ultimately, the survey portion of the book (first section) is good. It fails to live up to its title, as OT wisdom literature isn’t given its own section, nor are minor prophets, nor are epistles (so how can I understand the “whole” Bible without understanding these more clearly?) Perhaps that is not the authors intent, but the title of the book seems to indicate it is!
I’d sooner see it renamed as “a survey of the covenants” as I do appreciate the elaboration on the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic and Davidic covenants, and that seems to be the thrust of the book.
I also came into this book with a pinch of salt already in hand, as someone I’ve not heard of (no disrespect intended) comes along with a book that’s supposed to help me understand the whole Bible, and his credentials are being president of his own (supernatural) Bible school and originating a new theological system….get your salt shakers ready, too.
All told, worth a read. See what you agree and disagree with!
August 14, 2023
This tome left me wanting to learn from and read more from the traditional Jewish faith. I really struggled with understanding some of the author's logic. For example on page 212, it seems more logical that if the old covenant is done away with that would mean both blessings and cursings are equally done away with in modern times as punishments and rewards were both part of the arrangement with the ancient law between God and Israel.
The author also seems to be biased towards monogamy/western ideals in his interpretations from a book filled with polygamy/eastern ideals and the workings of life around it in ancient cultures. It seems Better Covenant Theology is a new age interpretation that is now added to other historical and modern interpretations of how to divide the scriptures shadows and symbols. BCT doesn't seem to have an answer to or for modern Christians taking accountability for their actions (pg. 334) which is what prevents me from accepting that BCT is how I should be interpreting scripture.
While I appreciated some of the story telling and parable clarity the author gave by writing to Bible lessons most Christians have heard in Sunday school, I am left with more confusion and wanting to know how modern day rabbi's who embrace Jesus and those who don't divide scripture.
The author also seems to be biased towards monogamy/western ideals in his interpretations from a book filled with polygamy/eastern ideals and the workings of life around it in ancient cultures. It seems Better Covenant Theology is a new age interpretation that is now added to other historical and modern interpretations of how to divide the scriptures shadows and symbols. BCT doesn't seem to have an answer to or for modern Christians taking accountability for their actions (pg. 334) which is what prevents me from accepting that BCT is how I should be interpreting scripture.
While I appreciated some of the story telling and parable clarity the author gave by writing to Bible lessons most Christians have heard in Sunday school, I am left with more confusion and wanting to know how modern day rabbi's who embrace Jesus and those who don't divide scripture.
November 17, 2025
I started this book with an open mind, being Charismatic but with Reformed sympathies. I like where Welton is going in terms of Jesus' fulfillment of every covenant but think he goes too far down the proverbial "slippery slope". His attacks on other opinions rely on a lot broadbrush and strawman argumentation. Many of his foundational constructive arguments are poorly researched or don't provide sufficient references for his proofs (e.g. attacks on KJV and the lack of a chrono Bible, as very simple examples, are simply not true.) I recommend counterbalancing this book with "Covenantal and Dispensational Theologies" by Parker and Lewis (IVP) (note: this book falls under the category of New Covenant Theology on ppg 30-31), "Augustine on the Christian Life" by Gerald Bray (Crossway), "Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die" by John Piper (Crossway). I would also call into account Welton's earlier public confession of being Narcissistic. I am related to one and am reluctant to give my trust over so easily. Be prayerful as you read this information. "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32.
May 2, 2019
Really Enjoyed this Book!
Could not put this book down! Thank you Jonathan! You are blessing to the church! I pray for you brother!
Could not put this book down! Thank you Jonathan! You are blessing to the church! I pray for you brother!
January 2, 2017
Excellent Book - Simple to read and made sense and answered a lot of questions about understanding scripture.
I recommend this book to anyone not satisfied with the answers they have been given about God.
I recommend this book to anyone not satisfied with the answers they have been given about God.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews