Covenant and God's Purpose for the World

Short Studies in Biblical Theology

by Thomas R. Schreiner

“Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.” Genesis 17:4

Throughout the Bible, God has related to his people through covenants. It is through these covenant relationships, which collectively serve as the foundation for God’s promise to bring redemption to his people, that we can understand the advancement of his kingdom. This book walks through six covenants from Genesis to Revelation, helping us grasp the overarching narrative of Scripture and see the salvation God has planned for us since the beginning of time—bolstering our faith in God and giving us hope for the future.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Biblical Studies, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian Living

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 14, 2017

About the author

Thomas R. Schreiner (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author or editor of numerous books, including New Testament Theology; Magnifying God in Christ; Apostle of God's Glory in Christ; and Romans in the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament.

Reviews

[Jethro Wall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple and straightforward overview of the covenants throughout scripture - with emphasis on the simple and straightforwardness. It’s short, and an absolute breeze to read, which makes it a helpful little resource, but it’s not much more than that. Not ground breaking by any means, but just good biblical truths. Would love to get my hands on the other books in this Short Studies in Biblical Theology series.

“Christ’s sacrifice was offered once, for by his death he dealt with sin completely and definitively.”

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much appreciate this volume by Thomas Schreiner as it is a quick and easy introduction to the covenants of the Bible. Each covenant is given its own chapter, and they are organized as you would expect them to be:

The Covenant of Creation
The Covenant with Noah
The Covenant with Abraham
The Covenant with Israel
The Covenant with David
The New Covenant

Schreiner did a thorough job of introducing the concept of a covenant (versus a contract) and illustrating how each of these interactions did, in fact, produce a covenant. He takes special pains to show how each covenant relates to the one(s) that precede it, emphasizing continuity and discontinuity when necessary (which is often). Reading the final chapter on the New Covenant felt like the dramatic end of a great story, and my faith was bolstered by the promises kept and the hope that remains. Schreiner did an excellent job of leading the reader to the climax of redemption in Jesus.

This book has earned a permanent place on our shelf!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Crossway.

[Ben Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to see how your Bible fits together in just over 100 pages, read this book. Absolutely spectacular.

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biblical theology is the discipline that reveals the storyline of Scripture. It looks at the big picture, which begins at creation and culminates with the new earth, where God makes all things new. “The purpose of biblical theology,” according to James Hamilton “is to sharpen our understanding of the theology contained in the Bible itself through an inductive, salvation-historical examination of the Bible’s themes and the relationships between those themes in their canonical context and literary form.”1

Thomas Schreiner makes a significant contribution to the field of biblical theology with his latest work, Covenant and God’s Purposes For the World. This volume, which is part of Crossway’s Short Studies in Biblical Theology Series is not as extensive as Hamilton’s work noted above or Peter Gentry and Stephen Wellum’s, excellent volume, Kingdom Through Covenant. But the brevity of Schreiner’s short book is a real strength, as we shall see.

Dr. Schreiner’s book unpacks the various covenants that unfold in Redemptive history including the covenant with creation, Noah, Abraham, Israel, David, and the new covenant. “The covenants,” writes Schreiner, “help us, then, to see the harmony and unity of the biblical message.” Ultimately, the author achieves this goal as he alerts readers to the apex of God’s saving work: “The promises of Abraham are fulfilled in the new covenant that Jesus brings, for he is the true offspring of Abraham, and all those who belong to him are the children of Abraham. The land promise is fulfilled in an inaugural way in his resurrection and then in a consummate way in the new creation.”

Covenant and God’s Purposes For the World demolishes the “cookie cutter” approach to hermeneutics that Dispensationalism offers. In its place, is a clear portrait of God’s redemptive plans for his people - a plan that promises “a new world of peace and righteousness is coming in which God the Lamb will reign … The promise that David won’t lack a man on the throne is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He reigns now from heaven at God’s right hand as the son of David, as and Lord and Christ.”

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

[Derrick Kenyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. This book is basically a brief introduction to progressive covenantalism. Schreiner helpfully walks through each biblical covenant (Creation, Noahic, Abrahamic, Israelite, Davidic, and New) and shows how they anticipate and are fulfilled in Christ. In the last chapter, his section on the New Israel of God as both Jew and Gentile was really succinct and helpful. Overall, this book would serve as a helpful resource to hand lay-persons in order to help them understand how the covenants progress and serve as the backbone of Scripture. I could see this book being used in a leadership training or discipleship context. Certainly, recommend!

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A succinct look at the major covenants of the Bible and how they build upon one another. I learned so much from this!

[Sara Macleish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a short book, there’s lots to chew on here! It has helped me with my understanding and teaching of the six main covenants in scripture and how they are connected.

[Ryan Cable · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Tom is a little too smart for me sometimes so it’s hard to follow. I would like to reread this book in the future to grasp it better. I have never really thought about the covenants much that are in scripture until recently, so I was blessed to be given this book to read and learn more. It’s amazing how God uses covenants and how everything points to Jesus. Great book!

[Taylor Callen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, clear, and helpful introduction to the Biblical covenants. Schreiner’s writing is a little dry at times, but mercifully, he keeps things concise and focused. I didn’t agree with every conclusion, but I really appreciated his overall Biblical insight.

What stood out most to me was how this book gave me new categories to think in. I grew up seeing covenants as either entirely works-based or entirely grace-based. Schreiner instead argues that many covenants in Scripture contain both conditional and unconditional elements (which felt way more faithful to the biblical text than the way I had always been taught).

The final two chapters on the new covenant are worth the price of the book alone. Schreiner masterfully traces the thread of God’s covenants through redemptive history and shows how they all find their fulfillment in Christ. Found myself reading those chapters twice just for the enjoyment of it.

If you’re looking for a solid overview of the covenants, this is a wonderful place to start.

[Conrad Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you want to understand how your Bible fits together? This is a short book that explains the backbone of the Scriptures, the covenants, while showing the overarching meta narrative of the Bible. It is concise, well written, and accessible for students of Scripture from all backgrounds. I have read this book multiple times, and it is one I will continue to return to regularly for years to come.

[Troy Solava · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful overview of the covenants of the Bible. Schreiner explains the conditions and details of each covenant and how Christ is the fulfillment of it. I read this for preparation as I prepare to begin preaching Genesis 12.

[Brian Pate · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of covenants in the Bible. Clear, thorough, worshipful. The final chapter on the new covenant is simply outstanding (ch. 6).

[Shea Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my entry point to seeking understanding in covenant theology. This is more of a book simply on Covenants through scripture, and in that it was quite good. Very readable

[Eusebiu Florescu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although theologically corect - it's dry, non-personal and non-practical.

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit odd to have a baptist write a book on covenant theology, but that is what Crossway has chosen to do. Thus we can predict where the issues will lie: an underappreciation of the permanence of the OT covenants, a misunderstanding of what membership in the covenant community entails, a downplaying of the sacraments, and too much discontinuity between old and new (hey, at least he's not a dispensationalist!). I love Bob Yarbrough's slightly passive-aggressive blurb inside the front cover: "Not all readers will affirm all of Schreiner's claims [you think?], but given Schreiner's view of old and new covenants in which discontinuity triumphs over continuity [in other words, despite the fact he gets it wrong], it is hard to imagine a more methodical and succinct presentation [in other words, it might be uninspiring, but at least it's short!]."

Now, I still gave him three stars. I actually respect Tom Schreiner, and think he might be the best Southern Baptist thinker out there. And he does lay out the various biblical covenants well. He puts to rest the incessant "conditional/unconditional" arguments (thank heavens!) and is not overly beholden to Kline and his obsession with suzerain-vassal treaties. He excavates some nice prophetic writings that often get skipped over in discussions of the new covenant. And yes, he is succinct. But if you really want to read about the covenants, read The Christ of the Covenants and Far as the Curse Is Found: The Covenant Story of Redemption.

[Steve Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interviews here:
http://www.booksataglance.com/author-...
http://servantsofgrace.org/episode-13...

Blog posts related to book here:
https://www.crossway.org/articles/10-...
https://www.crossway.org/articles/why...
https://davidschrock.com/2017/12/20/s...

[Alex McEwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second Pat Schreiner work in the past few months, and I’ve really enjoyed engaging with him as a scholar. Schreiner is incredibly even handed, committed to Reformed doctrine, approachable, and ecumenical in his approach.

At just around 100 pages, this work can be finished in one or two sittings. It briefly introduces the six major covenants of the Bible and shows how they progressively unfold throughout Scripture. Each chapter provides a concise overview of one of the major covenants, offering an accessible entry point into a deeper biblical understanding.

While Schreiner is a Baptist, he remains exceptionally fair and balanced. It’s clear that this work is written for the entire church, regardless of denominational background. His scholarship truly reflects the spirit of Reformed Catholicity.

Crossway's "Short Studies in Biblical Theology" series continues to impress, and this particular volume stands out. The typeface is beautiful, the margins work, and the paper weight is perfect for taking notes.

I'm glad to have read this book, and I plan to recommend it to the high school boys at our church for their study over the next semester.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three stars might feel a tad harsh here. It only loses some points because I reserve 5 stars for a book I would demand everyone to read. This one, is still a worthwhile and good read, but it certainly doesn’t have the depth (by nature of it purposefully being concise) to demand 5.

The theology in it is mostly spectacular, though at a few times I would ask for some more clarification on the author’s understandings of some covenantal fulfillments. All in all, it is a very good book, and very good for an introduction to the idea of covenants to someone who has yet to read anything on the subject. Two stronger books I would recommend on the same subject would be Van Dorn’s “Covenant Theology: a reformed Baptist primer,” and (the best I have read on the subject) James Renihan’s “The Mystery of Christ, His Covenant, and His Kingdom.”

I have yet to find anything that improves on Renihan’s work, though its depth and length can be intimidating.

[Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent introduction to the subject of "covenant" in Scripture. Schreiner argues for a form of "Progressive Covenantalism" (don't worry if that term scares you; he doesn't use those kinds of technical terms in the book) and explains how each of the covenants in the Old Testament find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The book is just a little over a hundred pages long, but within its pages it manages to cover a huge amount of territory and tackle a wide number of theological themes. Schreiner has an ability to make solid arguments for his views using very little space, and he writes in a way that almost any Christian could pick up this book and follow his train of thought from the covenant with Adam to the New Covenant in Christ. Highly recommended for those looking for a short but really helpful summary of the Bible's main storyline.

[Arielle Thorpe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book taught me a lot about Gods covenants with His people, showed me how they’re each frameworks to illuminate Christ and all that in His existence, He came for, and fulfilled in Himself.

“We can’t apply the scriptures wisely and grasp how the scriptures fit together, if we don’t understand ‘the whole counsel of God’ (Acts 20:27) and if we lack clarity about the covenant God made with his people”.

My only qualm with this book is that the intro says “Each volume is written by a capable scholar or churchman who is consciously writing in a way that requires no prerequisite theological training for the reader”. I did not find this to be true. I had to look up a ton of words, overall, not an easy read IMO which was what I think the series of these books, has been advertised as

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb, concise, understandable summary of Covenant Theology. Very helpful indeed.
My only query as I read this book is Tom Schreiner's position re the future of ethnic Israel. Is he saying that God's promises to ethnic Israel have failed? The answer is that Tom doesn't mention anything about the future of Israel because he is only outlining the covenants fulfilled in the New Covenant. To hear Tom state very clearly his position on the future of Israel, watch the following interview on YouTube, where he speaks about the key text in Romans 11v25-26 "all Israel shall be saved".
See the following clip:
https://youtu.be/WbraIQAN45g?feature=...
Schreiner's position on this, is the same as many other respected reformed theologians and preachers such as John Murray, Lloyd-Jones, Bonars, McCheyne, most of the Puritans, etc, namely that there is a future point in history when the overwhelming majority of ethnic Jews will trust in Christ. They will become part of the one Church, the one body of Christ, through faith in Christ comprising Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus. There is only one covenant, not two.
Schreiner doesn't refer to this in this book because it isn't necessarily pertinent to the aim of the book. That's how I understand it.

[Andrew Krom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is excellent. I would give this to anyone who wanted a shorter resource to start to understand these things. Schreiner's book is very readable, but calls his readers to a deeper understand of the Bible and the Covenants that frame the story of Scripture and how God relates to his people.

[Katie Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dry, but definitely packed full of information. I read this for a church study, and I do think I came away with a much better understanding of covenant theology, so mission accomplished there.

[Wood Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that helps explain covenants in the Bible. This book is short but very helpful to explain the big 6 covenants in the Bible.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of covenants as used in Scripture. Towards the end, Schreiner includes his expected Baptist learnings and goes where I can no longer follow. Still, there is a lot of good information here in this short work.

[Matty Lavelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really helpful introduction to an important biblical theme!

[Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the top two beginner books on Biblical Theology IMO (the other being Bruno’s 16 Verses book).

[Josiah Hasbrouck]

more reformed than anticipated, maybe it's just that i listened to the whole thing on 2x speed tho lol

[Colter Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, insightful, and surprisingly brief summary of how the Biblical Covenants unfold to reveal God’s unified plan of redemption in Christ. Highly recommend!

[Hunter Smithpeters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that manages to be thorough and yet simple. Recommended for anyone who wants to learn a Biblical Theology of the covenants without picking up a giant book.