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Essential Studies in Biblical Theology
The Path of Faith: A Biblical Theology of Covenant and Law
The closely related biblical themes of covenant and law have often been debated. Yet they are among the most important topics in Scripture--theologically and practically. They address how God graciously relates to us and how we ought to live on a daily basis. In this ESBT volume, Brandon Crowe builds on previous books in the series as he considers covenant and law throughout both Old and New Testaments. The Path of Faith lays out key principles such as the obligation of people to obey their Creator, how Jesus' perfect obedience to God's law opens the way to eternal life, and what the law means for us today as we continue walking by faith. The Path of Faith reveals the unity of the biblical witness and the consistent call for God's people to show him covenant loyalty, all while recognizing the unique saving work of Christ on our behalf. Essential Studies in Biblical Theology (ESBT), edited by Benjamin L. Gladd, explore the central or "essential" themes of the Bible's grand storyline. Taking cues from Genesis 1-3, authors explore the presence of these themes throughout the entire sweep of redemption history. Written for students, church leaders, and laypeople, the ESBT offers an introduction to biblical theology.
208 pages, Paperback
Published March 2, 2021
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112 people want to read
About the author
Brandon D. Crowe
15 books15 followersBrandon D. Crowe (B.A., Samford University; M.Div., Reformed Theological Seminary; Ph.D. University of Edinburgh) is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary and Book Review Editor for the Westminster Theological Journal.
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March 15, 2021
Are God’s covenants and commands still important for us today? Does God’s law impact how we live our lives? In The Path of Faith, Brandon D. Crowe presents a biblical theology of covenant and law.
Obedience and Grace
In 10 chapters and less than 200 pages, Crowe walks us through the entire Bible, showing how the themes of covenant and law relate to each other and ultimately culminate in Jesus. This is an academic book, but easily digestible for students, church leaders, and laypeople. The covenants and law are a crucial component for understanding Biblical theology, and serious students of God’s Word will want to begin by reading this book.
Crowe hits on four key points throughout the book: (1) All people are obligated to obey their Creator. (2) Though he did not have to, from the beginning God freely entered into a covenant with humanity to offer a reward upon the condition of perfect obedience. (3) Only Jesus perfectly obeys God’s law, which is necessary for eternal life. Eternal life is granted by grace through faith on the basis of Christ’s work. (4) Even though we can’t perfectly obey God’s law, the law continues to guide us in how we should live. Obedience to God’s law is still required. And yet obedience is not a burden but the path of blessing.
Fulfilled and Abiding in Christ
Beginning with Adam and Noah, Crowe expounds on Abraham, Moses, David, and the Prophets. A strength of this book, and a hallmark of the ESBTS series, is that it is intentionally brief and accessible. Crowe presents the Old Testament by skillfully distilling the essential storylines. I appreciated his ability to make things memorable. For instance, in regards to the Prophets, he helps us see their role by stating they are to remind God’s people of God’s covenants, reprove God’s people for covenant disobedience, and give the hope of renewal of the king and kingdom as well as the people’s obedience.
While I was familiar with the Old Testament covenants, I was not as educated as to how they relate to Christ and the law. Crowe helped me see how the covenants don’t stop at Christ, and his teachings actually present the law as fulfilled and abiding. I learned that the need to obey God’s moral law continues in the new covenant. With an extended look at the Sermon of the Mount, I saw how love, honor, and obedience are still true requirements and lead us to our need for Christ.
Grace Upon Grace
By looking at covenant and law in Paul’s epistles, Crowe concludes that true love manifests itself in true obedience. He also finds a special relevance for today, as we must walk in God’s commands as it relates to sexual ethics. Like Paul, Crowe calls us to obedience in sexual purity. We are warned that our obedience to Christ will lead to persecution, but we can be reminded that Christ still reigns as King.
And not only does Christ reign as King, but he is also coming back soon. The book ends with a look at covenant and law being consummated in the book of Revelation. It is exciting, and I anticipate when the marriage supper of the Lamb will be realized. Only Jesus can perfectly obey God’s law, but the law continues to show us how to obey God today. By looking at the covenants and law, this book shows how we are showered with grace upon grace in Jesus Christ. Blessed are those who trust in Him.
I received a media copy of The Path of Faith and this is my honest review.
Obedience and Grace
In 10 chapters and less than 200 pages, Crowe walks us through the entire Bible, showing how the themes of covenant and law relate to each other and ultimately culminate in Jesus. This is an academic book, but easily digestible for students, church leaders, and laypeople. The covenants and law are a crucial component for understanding Biblical theology, and serious students of God’s Word will want to begin by reading this book.
Crowe hits on four key points throughout the book: (1) All people are obligated to obey their Creator. (2) Though he did not have to, from the beginning God freely entered into a covenant with humanity to offer a reward upon the condition of perfect obedience. (3) Only Jesus perfectly obeys God’s law, which is necessary for eternal life. Eternal life is granted by grace through faith on the basis of Christ’s work. (4) Even though we can’t perfectly obey God’s law, the law continues to guide us in how we should live. Obedience to God’s law is still required. And yet obedience is not a burden but the path of blessing.
Fulfilled and Abiding in Christ
Beginning with Adam and Noah, Crowe expounds on Abraham, Moses, David, and the Prophets. A strength of this book, and a hallmark of the ESBTS series, is that it is intentionally brief and accessible. Crowe presents the Old Testament by skillfully distilling the essential storylines. I appreciated his ability to make things memorable. For instance, in regards to the Prophets, he helps us see their role by stating they are to remind God’s people of God’s covenants, reprove God’s people for covenant disobedience, and give the hope of renewal of the king and kingdom as well as the people’s obedience.
While I was familiar with the Old Testament covenants, I was not as educated as to how they relate to Christ and the law. Crowe helped me see how the covenants don’t stop at Christ, and his teachings actually present the law as fulfilled and abiding. I learned that the need to obey God’s moral law continues in the new covenant. With an extended look at the Sermon of the Mount, I saw how love, honor, and obedience are still true requirements and lead us to our need for Christ.
Grace Upon Grace
By looking at covenant and law in Paul’s epistles, Crowe concludes that true love manifests itself in true obedience. He also finds a special relevance for today, as we must walk in God’s commands as it relates to sexual ethics. Like Paul, Crowe calls us to obedience in sexual purity. We are warned that our obedience to Christ will lead to persecution, but we can be reminded that Christ still reigns as King.
And not only does Christ reign as King, but he is also coming back soon. The book ends with a look at covenant and law being consummated in the book of Revelation. It is exciting, and I anticipate when the marriage supper of the Lamb will be realized. Only Jesus can perfectly obey God’s law, but the law continues to show us how to obey God today. By looking at the covenants and law, this book shows how we are showered with grace upon grace in Jesus Christ. Blessed are those who trust in Him.
I received a media copy of The Path of Faith and this is my honest review.
January 24, 2024
The ESBT is a tremendous, eye-opening series. Its chief value is its ability to connect dots that only top-notch biblical theology can do. Perhaps its only downside is its rigid adherence to Covenant Theology. As one who does not wholeheartedly embrace that perspective, I still find multiple nuggets of insight that can be organized into grand vistas of the biblical horizon. Among the books I’ve encountered in this series, it is this one by Brandon Crowe that most comes across as a polemic for Covenant Theology. Still, I found connections that I really appreciated in the biblical text.
A secret for gleaning (if you’re a Covenant Theology proponent you’ll need no such secrets) is to simply substitute the continual refrain of “covenant” with the great overarching concept of our Lord reaching out to us. I find that throbs with life while funneling it through the narrow funnel of “covenant” a bit stale. That perspective makes other demands too that straightjacket God’s full-orbed vision more than is necessary. My point for rambling on about this line of thought is that non-Covenant Theology folks can benefit between the covers of this book as well. Of course it’s red meat for rabid followers, but, surprisingly, it’s pretty nourishing for the rest of us. (To be fair, I sometimes feel the same way about dispensational writings).
So where goes this book strike oil for me? It’s the walk through Scripture from a birds-eye view. You might have the ah-ha moment, like me, when you, say, see that profound connection between Judges and Ruth. There were others, but I really enjoyed that one. You can read through for the flow of Scripture or you can read sections where you are currently studying and really add to your stores.
With those caveats above, I still recommend this book.
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.
A secret for gleaning (if you’re a Covenant Theology proponent you’ll need no such secrets) is to simply substitute the continual refrain of “covenant” with the great overarching concept of our Lord reaching out to us. I find that throbs with life while funneling it through the narrow funnel of “covenant” a bit stale. That perspective makes other demands too that straightjacket God’s full-orbed vision more than is necessary. My point for rambling on about this line of thought is that non-Covenant Theology folks can benefit between the covers of this book as well. Of course it’s red meat for rabid followers, but, surprisingly, it’s pretty nourishing for the rest of us. (To be fair, I sometimes feel the same way about dispensational writings).
So where goes this book strike oil for me? It’s the walk through Scripture from a birds-eye view. You might have the ah-ha moment, like me, when you, say, see that profound connection between Judges and Ruth. There were others, but I really enjoyed that one. You can read through for the flow of Scripture or you can read sections where you are currently studying and really add to your stores.
With those caveats above, I still recommend this book.
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.
January 11, 2022
Very easy to read and thoroughly enjoyable. Good summaries of the covenants and how the law of God relates to the covenants as the happened in scripture. Loved the application sections at the end of each chapter which made the book not just information, but applicable knowledge. "The end is better than the beginning" loved that line as a summary of the future fulfilment of the covenants which is promised.
November 2, 2025
Helpful if you’re new to connecting some dots between the covenants from Adam to the New Covenant — just be sure to be attentive to paedobaptist assertions. :)
September 28, 2021
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S THE PATH OF FAITH ABOUT?
In his Introduction Crowe previews the book as a whole:
From there, the book traces the development of those concepts from Genesis to Revelation and at all points in between—as every book in this series has done/likely will do.
RELATION BETWEEN OLD AND NEW COVENANT
Obviously, as he's working through Redemptive History as it progresses, he begins with the Old Covenant—but always keeps the New Covenant in view, as the goal of the Old. I was particularly struck by the way he did this in Chapter 5, "The Prophets: Remind, Reprove, Renew." I noted a few times how helpful the discussion there was at pointing at the differences between the two covenants, while stressing the continuity of the two.
I didn't realize (but admittedly should have assumed) that that chapter was merely the foundation for a lot of the chapters to follow—particularly in Chapter 9, "The New Covenant in Practice: Hebrews Through Jude." Which was just dynamite, and was probably my favorite chapter in the book. It wasn't necessarily "more practical" than the rest of the book—but its focus on what what The Path of Faith looks like for believers in a post-apostolic age makes it more obviously applicable to contemporary believers.
I should add that a lot of the material in that chapter came from/was similar to Crowe's The Message of the General Epistles in the History of Redemption: Wisdom from James, Peter, John, and Jude —and I feel compelled to recommend that book at this time (I didn't do a post on it when I read it back in 2015, or I'd point you to that).
REVELATION
That last sentence is going to strike more than a few readers as odd—but it shouldn't. While the previous chapter was my favorite, this one took a lot more thought and reflection—and was more striking for me. Believers in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries are not used to reading Revelation for reasons other than "cracking the code" and figuring out the eschatological message of the book. Which isn't to say that's not important—but as Crowe argues, the book is more practical than that.
Given that reminder about the purpose of Revelation, Crowe's able to point to the call for faithfulness, the motivations to perverse and the promise of the consummation of the covenants at the end.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE PATH OF FAITH?
It has been a while since I've read a book in this series—primarily because the outline was getting a bit repetitive, and it was causing me to glaze over a bit. It's been long enough and (based solely on recollection without looking at a prior volume to compare) I think Crowe approaches it with a just-noticeable tweak to the standard outline that I was able to appreciate what he was saying without struggling to differentiate this work from the others.
Even without that gap for myself, I found this to be one of the (if not the) strongest volumes in the series—Crowe is able to deliver on explaining his summary from the introduction, explaining and expanding on them in each era of Redemptive History so that those of us living in the New Covenant age can profit from what was written for our benefit in the Old and seeing what our Covenant Head accomplished for us and for our salvation.
This is a great work on the ideas of Covenant and Law and I strongly encourage you to give it a read.
---
WHAT'S THE PATH OF FAITH ABOUT?
In his Introduction Crowe previews the book as a whole:
The topics of covenant and law are complex and have often been debated, but I’m not interested in getting bogged down in technical debates. Instead, in this book I make four key points.
All people are obligated to obey their Creator.
Though he did not have to, from the beginning God freely entered into a covenant with humanity to offer a reward upon the condition of perfect obedience.
Only Jesus perfectly obeys God's law, which is necessary for eternal life. Eternal life is granted by grace through faith on the basis of Christ's work.
Even though we can’t perfectly obey God’s law, the law continues to guide us in how we should live. Obedience to God's law is still required. And yet obedience is not a burden but the path of blessing.
These are four landmarks to maintain your bearings in the discussion that follows, and they also serve as a handy summary of the book.
From there, the book traces the development of those concepts from Genesis to Revelation and at all points in between—as every book in this series has done/likely will do.
RELATION BETWEEN OLD AND NEW COVENANT
Obviously, as he's working through Redemptive History as it progresses, he begins with the Old Covenant—but always keeps the New Covenant in view, as the goal of the Old. I was particularly struck by the way he did this in Chapter 5, "The Prophets: Remind, Reprove, Renew." I noted a few times how helpful the discussion there was at pointing at the differences between the two covenants, while stressing the continuity of the two.
I didn't realize (but admittedly should have assumed) that that chapter was merely the foundation for a lot of the chapters to follow—particularly in Chapter 9, "The New Covenant in Practice: Hebrews Through Jude." Which was just dynamite, and was probably my favorite chapter in the book. It wasn't necessarily "more practical" than the rest of the book—but its focus on what what The Path of Faith looks like for believers in a post-apostolic age makes it more obviously applicable to contemporary believers.
I should add that a lot of the material in that chapter came from/was similar to Crowe's The Message of the General Epistles in the History of Redemption: Wisdom from James, Peter, John, and Jude —and I feel compelled to recommend that book at this time (I didn't do a post on it when I read it back in 2015, or I'd point you to that).
REVELATION
Revelation fittingly concludes the biblical canon by echoing earlier Scripture, highlighting the completed work of Christ and sketching a vision for the future. Revelation wrestles with the ambiguities and difficulties of this age but doesn't leave the plot dangling. Revelation proclaims that Christ rules, and his people will be vindicated. Revelation is an immensely practical book that provides guidance for living today.
That last sentence is going to strike more than a few readers as odd—but it shouldn't. While the previous chapter was my favorite, this one took a lot more thought and reflection—and was more striking for me. Believers in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries are not used to reading Revelation for reasons other than "cracking the code" and figuring out the eschatological message of the book. Which isn't to say that's not important—but as Crowe argues, the book is more practical than that.
It’s crucial that we recognize and heed Revelation’s calls to faithfulness in life. We go astray if we think of Revelation as a fatalistic book of predictions. Revelation does not teach us to shut our eyes and sing, Que Será, Será ("whatever will be, will be"). Instead, Revelation provides motivation for faithful covenant living in the present, in light of God's promises about the future.
This means Revelation is not only about the future; it’s about the entire age of the church, from the first coming of Christ to his second coming. It doesn't focus only on the last few years of world history; it's about every era of the church’s history. It’s about things that are persistently true. As one helpful book on Revelation puts the matter, “[Revelation] is a book for every age. It is always up to date.”
Given that reminder about the purpose of Revelation, Crowe's able to point to the call for faithfulness, the motivations to perverse and the promise of the consummation of the covenants at the end.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE PATH OF FAITH?
It has been a while since I've read a book in this series—primarily because the outline was getting a bit repetitive, and it was causing me to glaze over a bit. It's been long enough and (based solely on recollection without looking at a prior volume to compare) I think Crowe approaches it with a just-noticeable tweak to the standard outline that I was able to appreciate what he was saying without struggling to differentiate this work from the others.
Even without that gap for myself, I found this to be one of the (if not the) strongest volumes in the series—Crowe is able to deliver on explaining his summary from the introduction, explaining and expanding on them in each era of Redemptive History so that those of us living in the New Covenant age can profit from what was written for our benefit in the Old and seeing what our Covenant Head accomplished for us and for our salvation.
This is a great work on the ideas of Covenant and Law and I strongly encourage you to give it a read.
July 26, 2021
This book is about a covenant between mankind and God. Crowe surveys the entire bible in 166 pages to illustrate his central thesis that all covenants established by God are an act of grace, and we are called to obedience. If we love Jesus we will obey his words, in summary.
Indicative and imperative are two cases that the author uses to bring his central theme home. The indicative shows what God has done for us, and the imperative is how we should respond to God.
I read it in two settings, and it is not a difficult book to comrehend since the author is an excellent writer who tells us what he is going to say, says it, and then neatly sums up what he said.
Indicative and imperative are two cases that the author uses to bring his central theme home. The indicative shows what God has done for us, and the imperative is how we should respond to God.
I read it in two settings, and it is not a difficult book to comrehend since the author is an excellent writer who tells us what he is going to say, says it, and then neatly sums up what he said.
May 29, 2022
Excellent introduction to the structure of the covenants in Scripture and the way they weave together in one overarching storyline. Also has a helpful overview of the role of the law in redemptive history and in the life of the believer today. Presents some helpful visuals along the way.
August 15, 2025
I read this for my Bible Survey course in seminary this term. It was an excellent introductory treatment of covenant and law. Very readable. Recommended!
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