Foundations of Covenant Theology: A Biblical-Theological Study of Genesis 1-3

by Lane G. Tipton

Drawing from Genesis 1:1 and subsequent biblical revelation, Lane Tipton argues that before creating the visible world, the immutable triune God created a heavenly temple dwelling, filled that heavenly dwelling with the unchanging glory of his Spirit, and sanctified that heavenly dwelling as the realm of everlasting Sabbath Rest. Adam, as the created image of God and federal head of his posterity, could have advanced through perfect covenantal obedience beyond probation on the mountain of God in earthly Eden into the heavenly dwelling of God in Sabbath Rest. This God-centered and heaven-focused theological backdrop enriches our understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ, as the second and last Adam in the covenant of grace, who in his humiliation and exaltation has opened the gates of heavenly paradise for his church.

Genres: Theology

Paperback

Published June 22, 2021

Reviews

[Alexander Proudfoot · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful study of several points in Genesis 1-3. I'm unconvinced of the authors interpretation of Genesis 1:1—reading "heavens" as the invisible spiritual realm. Despite this, I would commend the book.

[Hobart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S FOUNDATIONS OF COVENANT THEOLOGY ABOUT?
In 2019, Lane Tipton gave a series of lectures for a Reformed Forum seminar on covenant theology. Tipton's now turned these lectures into "a brief and non-technical" book, suitable for private use or as a supplement to a Sunday School class, building on the work of Geerhardus Vos and Meredith G. Kline.

I really don't like it when I don't provide my own summary/synopsis, but after a few attempts, I'm bailing. Primarily because my attempts ended up 2-3 times long as what's on the back of the book/Reformed Forum's website. So...why bother reinventing the wheel, if I'm just going to make it bloated and cumbersome?

Drawing from Genesis 1:1 and subsequent biblical revelation, Lane Tipton argues that before creating the visible world, the immutable triune God created a heavenly temple dwelling, filled that heavenly dwelling with the unchanging glory of his Spirit, and sanctified that heavenly dwelling as the realm of everlasting Sabbath rest.
Adam, as the created image of God and federal head of his posterity, could have advanced through perfect covenantal obedience beyond probation on the mountain of God in earthly Eden into the heavenly dwelling of God in Sabbath rest. This God-centered and heaven-focused theological backdrop enriches our understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ, as the second and last Adam in the covenant of grace, who in his humiliation and exaltation has opened the gates of heavenly paradise for his church.

VOCABULARY AND A GLOSSARY
This is a non-technical book as Tipton says in the preface. But at a glance, you'd be tempted to think otherwise. Tipton has a very precise and erudite vocabulary, and it's in full view here. Where some writers will (unintentionally) obfuscate with their language, Tipton's doesn't do that at all. I find his style and word choice to helpful—once you get used to it (and it doesn't take long), you don't even notice that it's not your run-of-the-mill non-technical language.

There are concepts and phrases he uses throughout that he wants to highlight, and they're included in a Glossary at the end of the book. There were a few he used in the text that I'd have liked a bit more detail on, but it's clear that he uses the Glossary to focus on the vital concepts to his argument. I wish more people would do things like that.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT FOUNDATIONS OF COVENANT THEOLOGY?
So, what did I think about Foundations of Covenant Theology?
I've lost track of the books/chapters I've read that serve as an introduction to Covenant Theology in the last couple of decades. Yet I keep reading them (and, largely, enjoy and profit from them). This is a different way of covering these concepts and it's a very effective one.

It's also a different way of looking at Genesis 1-3. Almost every time I've seen these chapters explained and exegeted, it had to do with the doctrine of Creation, the Fall and the Promise of the Seed in Genesis 3, and so on. But Tipton's approach—while addressing all that—focuses on the Big Picture, looking at the purposes behind Creation, the protoevangelium, the Covenants of Work and Grace, and how those are worked out in history (particularly in the last two chapters about Christ as the Promised Seed and the Second Adam).

Would I have liked this book to be longer and these brief chapters to be expanded—making this still non-technical, just not brief. If this had taken me a few hours to read rather than just an afternoon, I'd have been happier. But...this was a fascinating book, a helpful read, and I know I'll profit from meditating on and returning to these concepts. You really should try this one yourself, you'll be rewarded for it.

[Eddie Mercado · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book. Right next to Even Better than Eden by Nancy Guthrie, this book by Lane Tipton serves as a wonderful introduction to the Biblical Theology of Geerhardus Vos and Meredith Kline! Meant to be read alongside the Sunday school lectures by Tipton (though not necessary), this short work sets the theological table for the rest of Scripture. While many books on covenant theology may begin with the covenant of redemption or the covenant of works, Tipton begins with the self-contained (I.e. in need of nothing outside of himself) Triune God who creates first the invisible heavens in the Absolute Beginning of Gen 1:1, and then creates the visible heavens and earth as a copy of those invisible heavens, which serve as his temple dwelling. It is a well argued interpretation of Genesis 1, and he quotes several scriptural passages to hopefully sway the reader as well.

This book is intended for adult Sunday school classes, but I suspect that a good teacher could help a college or even high school level class follow along and understand it. While this book can be quite theologically technical and precise, this book serves to ultimately bring us to a greater love and desire for fellowship with the crucified and ascended Christ, that is Jesus. I’ll include these powerful words to hopefully spark excitement to read this work: “Jesus is the promised champion who will crush the serpent’s head, redeem and endow a people in his image, pass under the flaming sword, and raise a people heavenward” (Tipton 113).

[Neil McKinlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foundations of Covenant Theology: A Biblical-Theological Study of Genesis 1-3 is a pithy condensation of some of the basic points of Covenant Theology. It has a helpful glossary, and its twelve short and to-the-point chapters, as per Biblical Theology, logically progress through time, from the Triune God in the absolute beginning to the redeemed with Christ in Paradise.

Tipton’s slightly different slant is that Paradise is located (and seems forever to remain located!) in the highest heavens, a place, he believes, God created as His dwelling-place before He began His six days’ work of creating the heavens and the earth and all therein. Only on the seventh day God entered into His everlasting Sabbath Rest (in the highest heavens), where the redeemed join Him after death. I was left wondering if Lipton was suggesting that this is the final state as opposed to the intermediate state, as ordinarily taught in Covenant Theology. However, I am aware that a short book of less than 150 pages cannot cover everything. Therefore, this is an excellent primer, covering, as stated in its informative title, foundations of covenant theology, especially those found in Genesis 1-3.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear biblical-theological study of Genesis 1-3 with passages in Luke nicely tie up Tipton’s study on covenant theology. It reads like a more accessible introduction to Kline (much of Kline’s thought drives this brief study) and gets to the heart of the two Adam structure presented by Paul. This book would be a great first stop as a group study on introductions to the covenant of works and the covenant of grace in light of Genesis 1-3. Though short, it was a pleasure to read, and with the discussion questions, Tipton provides an excellent springboard into fruitful discussions. Please watch his corresponding lectures at Reformed Forum to round-out your reading with matching lectures of each chapter.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this pretty fast. It's a great introduction to covenant theology in the tradition of Kline and Vos.

Highlights:
1. Tipton gives an idiot's guide to one of Meredith Kline's most vague insights which is endoxation of the Spirit
2. His work on Jesus as the Last Adam is gold
3. He shows the purpose of God's covenants in relation to the image of God in man.

I will gladly read this along with Chris Caughey's "A tale of Two Adams" in order to teach covenant theology to lay people.

[Peter Stonecipher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first few chapters are a bit slow, but Tipton moves into a fresh unpacking of Genesis 1-3 and their bearing on covenant theology. A strong presentation of Adam as the Federal Head of mankind and Jesus as the Second Adam.

[Emma Cowdrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to Calvinist worldview

Very much appreciated the scriptural exegesis and attention to the reformed tradition.
Great to see these ideas in a format accessible for the layman.
Hopefully there will be more available soon!
Soli deo gloria

[Joshua Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Such a good biblical theological look on the creation account. Though it seemed a little lacking on explicit treatment of covenant theology. Perhaps that’s because I wasn’t an intelligent enough reader.

[Caleb Falbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most excellent and concise resource laying the foundations that are so crucial to a proper understanding of the rest of the Bible.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lane does a great job breaking down the foundations of Covenant Theology. He explains concept so a lay person can understand them.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, well written, short but very deep chapters. Lots to think about & one that I’m hoping to re-read soon.

[David Jamison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome.

[Ament · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leads you to be enamoured with the glory of God.

[Micah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and helpful but at times there can is some questionable exegesis.

[Dylan Halter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic summary of covenant theology from Genesis 1-3. It’s like a condensed version of Kline and Vos in a readable way.

[Austin Debrody · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction for its readers concerning some of the foundations behind Covenant Theology. Seems more of a surface-level study so this book may be better for those just beginning to explore Reformed Theology.