Canon, Covenant and Christology: Rethinking Jesus and the Scriptures of Israel

New Studies in Biblical Theology #51

by Matthew Barrett, D.A. Carson (Series Editor)

"All Scripture is breathed out by God" (2 Timothy 3:16). From Paul's epistles the divine inspiration of Scripture may be confidently affirmed. However, on turning to Jesus and the Gospels, it is difficult to find such an explicit approach. In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, Matthew Barrett argues that Jesus and the apostles have just as convictional a doctrine of Scripture as Paul or Peter, but it will only be discovered if the Gospels are read within their own canonical horizon and covenantal context. The nature of Scripture presupposed by Jesus and the Gospel writers may not be addressed directly, but it manifests itself powerfully when their words are read within the Old Testament's promise-fulfilment pattern. Nothing demonstrates Scripture's divine origin, divine authorial intent and trustworthiness more than the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the advent of the Son of God, the Word has become flesh, announcing to Jew and Gentile alike that the covenant promises Yahweh made through the Law and the Prophets have been fulfilled in the person and work of Christ. Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Christian, Scripture, Christianity, New Testament, Christian Non Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

Published March 24, 2020

About the author

Matthew Barrett (MDiv, PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is associate professor of Christian theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the executive editor of Credo Magazine. He is the author of numerous books, including God's Word Alone, 40 Questions about Salvation, Reformation Theology, John Owen on the Christian Life, and Salvation by Grace. He is also the host of the Credo podcast where he talks with fellow theologians about the most important doctrines of the faith. He lives in Kansas City.

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have certainly been blessed of late in my choice of books to read. After William McEwen's book on the Old Testament types, I have now finished Matthew Barrett's excellent volume on Christ and the scriptures. As McEwen's book is essential reading for any minister preaching on the Old Testament, Dr Barrett's work is crucial reading for anyone preaching on the gospels, as he shows us that Christ is the ultimate fulfilment of the Old Testament promises who believed that the scriptures were the inspired word of God.

While I have issues with Biblical Theology as a theological method, and I have found the contributions to the New Studies in Biblical Theology series rather hit and miss, this one benefits from the author's commitment to both systematic and historical theology. The book is particularly strong in its treatment of Christ as the Second Adam, who fulfilled the covenant of works that both Adam and Israel failed to keep. The final chapter contains a useful critique of the Barthian notion of inspiration, demonstrating that its denial of biblical inerrancy brings great dishonour to Christ.

My only complaint about the book is the second commandment violation on the front cover. Why publishers do not have a problem with pictures of a divine person, which are by their very nature idolatrous, is really beyond me.

[Samuel G. Parkison · Rating 5 out of 5]

An open fire-hydrant of cogent biblical theological argument. Right out of the gate, Barrett provides a masterful description of divine revelation, canon, and its covenantal shape. He is a curator of sorts in these introductory chapters, bringing together the best of many conversations (I.e., canonical reading of scripture, the primacy of divine authorial intent, the covenantal superstructure of the Bible culminating in the person and work of Christ, and—because of all this, and a necessary outcome, without which none of the aforementioned are *possible*—sensus plenior).

The central thesis of this book Barrett brings out in these first two chapters is clear enough: evangelical doctrine of inspiration did not originate with Paul, but with Jesus. Paul’s doctrine of Scripture is not unique to Paul. Jesus and the gospel writers worked with the same doctrine of Scripture, they simply expressed it differently as they told of the Son’s revelational, redemptive actions and words. His being the fulfillment of OT promises, Barrett argues, is unconscionable unless they saw Scripture the way Paul did (and evangelicals do). Barrett argues this thesis rigorously with several biblical-theological case studies, and a couple of summarizing chapters.

Barrett concludes with a soul-stirring “dogmatic proposal.” Namely, in light of everything Barrett argued for in the beginning, major implications remain for *how* evangelicals conceive of the doctrine of inerrancy. It must be organically conceived via evangelical Christology. I.e., evangelicals have more of a Christological justification for affirming inerrancy than Barthians have for denying it. It’s high time we stop being afraid to approach our scriptural doctrines as dogmatic enterprises: that’s what they are, and if we don’t do dogmatics as evangelicals, we will leave a vacuum that will be filled by dogmaticians whose methodologies are inconsistent with evangelical theology. Barrett concludes, “it is time evangelicals stop letting others have all the dogmatic fun.” Amen.

I loved reading this book, and I commend it highly.

[Jake Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pull up a chair and be ready to soak it in a lot of rich truth! Dr. Barrett does a marvelous job of showing how Jesus Christ and the Gospel writers understand the Scriptures. Prepare for a feast that will cause to be in awe of how wonderful the Word truly is. I was greatly blessed by seeing the unique yet unified way each of the Gospel authors utilized the OT and how it relates to Christ! This book requires some work moving through it but it is worth it!

[Shane Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

2022 reads: 06

Rating: 4 stars

More thoughts forthcoming..

[Mitch Bedzyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barrett shows that we don’t just get our doctrine of Scripture from Paul and Peter but from Jesus and the gospels. Another excellent addition to the NSBT series.

[David Puerto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un abordaje cristológico al Antiguo Testamento. El capítulo tres mi favorito, que habla sobre el testimonio de Mateo sobre el cumplimiento en Cristo del Antiguo Testamento. Fabuloso.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point, with the multiple titles available in the New Studies in Biblical Theology (NSBT) series, you know you’re going to get something that is at once interesting and theologically weighty. I’m sure the editorship of D. A. Carson contributes to that ongoing quality. In any event, this latest title by Matthew Barrett is as outstanding as any in the series. It’s strong stance on the divine inspiration of Scripture makes it run against the grain of most modern literature, but also makes it of even more value.

To be sure, looking at the Scriptures from a Christological perspective was a brilliant idea. This book reaches the heights that the whole idea suggests to those who love the Bible.

Though this work focuses mostly on Jesus in the Gospels and what we see there about Scripture, it’s impact is even greater. The first chapter reminds us of both the overall importance and perfect credibility of divine inspiration. I particularly enjoyed the comments about Sensus Plenior. The next chapter weaves together critical ideas like progressive revelation, word – act-word revelation, and the covenant. You will not have to agree with every idea about the covenant to be profoundly blessed by this chapter.

Next, the book dives more into the details found in the gospels. There’s a chapter on the Matthean witness, one as a case study on the Word made flesh, one about the idea of living by every word from the mouth of God as found in each of these books, one on the Johannine witness, and a final concluding chapter that takes these issues and discusses their importance to the future of doctrinal studies.

I can’t think of a dud in this series, at least among those that I have looked at, but mark this one down as one of the best!

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.

[Eric Yap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read. Barrett demonstrate the various theological loci of canonicity (inspiration, authority, unity, etc.) through the Gospel narratives, demonstrating how Christology and canonicity are mutually dependent and grounding canon unity through a Christocentric-fulfilment approach to the OT and redemptive history to reveal a divine authorial intent behind canon consciousness. So comprehensive is the treatment between Christology and canonicity that implicit in this book also includes the intersection of biblical theology, Christocentic hermeneutics, redemptive history, the NT use of OT and even covenant theology. One highlight in the opening chapters was Barrett suggestion of an extension to Geerhadus Vos’ speech-act paradigm to divine revelation, postulating a speech-act-speech model instead. The OT consistently demonstrate this model: God cuts a covenant and promise deliverance, God delivers His people, and then follows up with an explanation and expectation of His covenant people. And so the canon unity of the OT and NT can be demonstrated likewise, the OT is all of God’s promises, Christ incarnated as the Word putting on flesh as the culmination of redemptive history to accomplish the deliverance of God’s people, and the NT follows to carry and explain the person and work of Christ going forward into subsequent unfolding eschatological history. A worthy entry for the hermeneutical debates between Christocentric vs Christotelic or grammatical-historical approach to the OT. Slightly technical in the bookending chapters, but well worth the time and effort, highly recommended for all.

[David Ochabski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew Barret received his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently holds a position of associate professor at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas, as well as executive editor of Credo Magazine. He has written numerous novels and textbooks, including Simply Trinity, None Greater, Salvation by Grace, 40 Questions about Salvation, and The Doctrine on Which the Church Stands or Falls. In Canon, Covenant, and Christology, Barrett explores the gospels within their own historical and canonical context, further probing into the authorial intent. Barrett elaborates on his foundational belief, which is as follows: If all Scripture is God-breathed, we should read it not through the eyes of the human author but the eyes of God. More so, the Bible should not be read as a compilation of human adventures but as a whole account of God’s communication to humanity and his redemptive action to save it from sin. The book is laid out in clearly defined sections regarding the canon, the differing covenants, how Christology became canon and ends with an assessment of whether or not a human doctrine of Christology is satisfactory for salvation. Barrett recommends this source for pastors, theologians, biblical scholars, and all interested in God’s personification through Christ.

[David Clouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book is highly intellectual (120 citations in the first 40 pages), it is also very understandable for the lay person. It is long and sometimes might feel monotonous, but the information contained therein is very important for a right understanding of (what the title says) canonicity, covenants, and especially Christology. This book will enhance anyone’s knowledge of Scripture and also give them a great appreciation for the uniqueness and extreme connection that Scripture has from the Old to the New Testament. I’d recommend taking this book just a little at a time and working through it over a long period to not burn oneself out on trying to digest it all over a few days or a week, etc.

[Donovan Moritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read, digging into divine inspiration, especially as it pertains to how Jesus and the gospel writers understood the OT scriptures. This book really enlivened my heart towards understanding the OT and the NT alike through the lens of Christology and eschatology. Jesus’ fulfillment of the law and prophets (Matthew 5:17-20) is rooted in the firm foundation of the OT, and is primarily meant for redemption of the lost and wandering. Jesus came to seek and save the lost — as promised through God’s covenants with Abraham, Moses, and David — and He is the ultimate fulfillment of these promises. Dr. Barrett’s words are incredibly approachable, gracious, charitable, and thought-provoking; I could not recommend this one enough.

[Garry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated this book far more than I thought I would. He did an excellent job tying Christology with the inspiration of Scripture. It was more of an organic journey than anything else. Of course, this was a biblical theology of sorts. A few extra thoughts though..

While he mentioned it in passing, one has to ask, "Does God redeem anyone without also supernaturally convincing them that the Scriptures are inspired and infallible?" I realize that it is somewhat simplistic, but when debating the inspiration of the Gospels one is not ultimately persuaded by facts, regardless of what they are.

His use of Jesus as the "true Israel" was a bit frustrating, but I have a different presupposition as to Israel and its future role.

[Richard Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but too long. Could be significantly more focussed.

Demonstrates:
1. That the OT has unifying themes (particularly a covenantal structure)
2. That Christ interpreted the OT as all about him
3. That Christ treats scripture as having the authority of God
4. That Christ is displayed to be God by the NT
5. That to take seriously the claim that Christ is God incarnate should lead us to take seriously the claim that scripture is without error.

[Steve Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interviews:
(Part 1): https://credomag.com/2020/03/canon-co...
(Part 2): https://credomag.com/2020/03/canon-co...
(Part 3): https://credomag.com/2020/05/canon-co...
https://thelaymenslounge.com/matthew-...

[Benjamin Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exceptional and great book to read for any student of theology or just someone who wants to dive deeper in the world of our Lord Jesus Christ. I highly recommend this book and this author to anyone looking to further their understanding of good doctrine, the person/deity of Christ, and good biblical Christology.

[Zach Barnhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

So appreciated Barrett's focus on the significance of Christology for how we think about Scripture, from canon to inspiration to its covenantal nature. He does a tremendous job working through the Gospels (especially through John). Looking forward to his upcoming work on inerrancy.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christology in the old testament and new testament, The author argue that the story in the new testament isn't at all a whole new things or Disconnected. The story in the christology theme is a harmonious one.

[Neil Edward J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful to identify and navigate classic theology and its impact today.

[Samuel Bierig · Rating 5 out of 5]

You should read it.