Covenants: God's way with his people

by O. Palmer Robertson

A teaching manual for use in adult study groups

Genres: Theology, Christian

130 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Owen Palmer Robertson (born August 31, 1937) is an American Christian theologian and biblical scholar. He taught at Reformed Theological Seminary, Westminster Theological Seminary, Covenant Theological Seminary, Knox Theological Seminary as well as at the African Bible Colleges of Malawi and Uganda. He also served as principal of the latter institution.

Robertson is perhaps best known for his book The Christ of the Covenants. His definition of a biblical covenant being "a bond in blood, sovereignly administered" has been widely discussed.

In 2008, a Festschrift was published in his honor. The Hope Fulfilled: Essays in Honor of O. Palmer Robertson included contributions by Bruce Waltke, Richard Gaffin, Robert L. Reymond and George W. Knight III.

Reviews

[Sarah Rider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it. Great breakdown of covenantal law and background. It is very easy for a layperson to follow and appreciate. I am glad I was assigned this book by my Biblical Studies professor.

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small book on covenant theology.

Strongest on how the cross and covenants interface. Weakest on the relation of the law to the covenants.

I’d go with Jonty Rhodes book over this one.

3.5 stars

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very helpful book in introducing someone to the concept and general continuity of the covenants in Scripture. It is very readable and user friendly. The cross is central and it doesn't get bogged down with heavy allusions to either classical works or extensive cross-references; it keeps it simple. Although I enjoy it's coverage of the topic, I thought that it's review on the use of the Law in the New Covenant era fell way short and it went out of its way to criticize Theonomy with no artillery to back it up. Dr. Robertson merely damned them with faint praise and gave a couple obtuse historical and scriptural oddities that he apparently thought clinched the issue (It didn't at all). Besides that glaring flaw, it was a lovely piece of prose that succinctly packed an enormous amount of Truth in a small package.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good and solid book. Straight forward and not overwhelming.

[Reese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to understand the reformed understanding of Covenant theology in a devotional way.

[S Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally helpful for planning and leading Sunday schools, Bibke studies, etc.

[J.E. Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

We recently used this book for the basis of a Sunday School class. As with the other time I read it, I found it to be a very approachable, helpful way to get a sense of covenant theology. It is definitely written for a lay-level audience (not for academics or even for seminary-trained pastors), which is wonderful because there are far too few volumes of this nature written at that level.

There is a study guide available for this book, which is useful in suggesting ways to approach the teaching times; however, for teachers/leaders looking for fortification for the content, they would do well to employ Robertson’s Christ Of The Covenants, which is also a very readable text.

[Andre]

I am reading this one for its potential value in a Sunday School class.

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little book on Covenant Theology, Dr. Joe Morecraft recommended this book.

[Andrew Halbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight forward, concise treatment of the covenants in Scripture. Very well done and a very rewarding read. I would recommend this for anyone interested in better understanding the nature of covenants as they are described and applied in Scripture.