New Book on a Middle Position between Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology

A new book is making some serious theological waves. Kingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenant by Peter Gentry and Stephen Wellum advocates a view termed “progressive covenantalism” as a middle position between covenant theology and dispensationalism. Regular readers of my blog know that I have argued for a more covenantal position. One of my favorite blog series was “Understanding the Land Promise“. But while I’m definitely not a classic or revised dispensationalist, I’m not entirely at home in standard covenant theology either. You can scan through some of my posts on dispensationalism, or redemptive historical interpretation if you’re interested in more of my thoughts at present on this issue.

Gentry and Wellum’s position is a Baptist, non-dispensational view with some affinities to new covenant theology and progressive dispensationalism (it seems). Yet theirs is a new position altogether. Since the book weighs in at over 800 pages, I’m not sure I’ll be able to work my way through it anytime soon, but it is definitely on my books to get list.

Here are some of the blurbs for the book, and Justin Taylor alerts us to the fact that the first two chapters are available to read online for free.

“Gentry and Wellum offer a third way, a via media, between covenant theology and dispensationalism, arguing that both of these theological systems are not informed sufficiently by biblical theology. Certainly we cannot understand the scriptures without comprehending ‘the whole counsel of God,’ and here we find incisive exegesis and biblical theology at its best. This book is a must read and will be part of the conversation for many years to come.” ~ Thomas R. Schreiner (James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)

“What do you get when you cross a world class Bible scholar and a first rate systematic theologian? You get 800-plus pages of power-packed biblical goodness. You get the forest and quite a few of the trees. This is not the first volume that has attempted to mediate the dispensational/covenant theology divide, but it may be the culminating presentation of that discussion—just as Bach was not the first Baroque composer but its highest moment. Gentry and Wellum’s proposal of Kingdom through Covenant should be read by all parties, but I won’t be surprised to learn in 20 years that this volume provided the foundation for how a generation of anyone who advocates regenerate church membership puts their Bible together.” ~ Jonathan Leeman (Editorial Director, 9Marks; author, Church and the Surprising Offense of God’s Love)

“The relationship between the covenants of Scripture is rightly considered to be central to the interpretation of the Bible. That there is some degree of continuity is obvious for it is the same God—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as well as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ—who has revealed himself and his will in the covenants. That there is, however, also significant discontinuity also seems patent since Scripture itself talks about a new covenant and the old one passing away. What has changed and what has not? Utterly vital questions to which this new book by Gentry and Wellum give satisfying and sound answers. Because of the importance of this subject and the exegetical and theological skill of the authors, their answers deserve a wide hearing. Highly recommended!” ~ Michael A. G. Haykin (Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Director, The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies)

Kingdom through Covenant is directly applicable to a pastor faithfully seeking understanding of God’s Word as it reveals the structure that supports the narrative of God’s message throughout time. The study of the covenants provides a framework for understanding and applying the message of the Bible to life in the new covenant community. I have found this study personally transforming, and enriching in my teaching ministry.” ~ Joseph Lumbrix (Pastor, Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Willisburg, KY)

For more on the book, see this interview at The Gospel Coalition Blog, or this two part interview at Credo Magazine: part 1, part 2.

You can pick up your own copy of this volume at any of the following online retailers: Westminster Bookstore, Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, Barnes&Noble, or direct from Crossway.

7 thoughts on “New Book on a Middle Position between Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology

    1. No you didn’t miss it. I haven’t worked my way through it yet. I’m about 389 pages in, and it’s 962 pages of readable material…. I hope to finish it and I’ve excerpted it a few times. I really am enjoying it but I’ve got so many other books competing for my time!

      1. Throw the other books away! Biblical theology is the fun stuff!!!

        You should do a top 5 books everyone should read post at some point. Everybody does those and I always enjoy reading the list.

        I’ve finally got around to reading TD Alexander’s Eden and New Jerusalem and I’m loving it.

      2. Andrew,

        You are so right about biblical theology. I recently finished Transformed by God by David G. Peterson, and I also had finished Christ-Centered Biblical Theology by Graemesworthy – both started after I started Beale. But I am still plodding through Beale. He can be wordy and thick reading (as Michael points out in the comments here) at times – but oh so worth-while! Don’t get me started on how long it took me to finish “The Temple and Christ’s Mission” by Beale. Best book on biblical theology I’ve read, and most impactful. But definitely not an easy read. I’m looking forward to a simplified version of that book which is supposed to be coming out by Beale in the near future.

  1. Bob,
    KTC is already causing some controversies in the CT camp as Jamin Hubner attests.

    http://www.realapologetics.org/blog/2012/08/12/the-kingdom-through-covenant-controversy/

    Have started KTC and I must say regardless of the theology (which is brilliant), it is a well written book (at 800+ pages it is amazingly not verbose the way alas Beale can be) so you should enjoy it when you get around to it. Wellum and Gentry are two of my professors (am working through the book in one of Gentry’s classes this fall) and I can certainly attest to the fact that both men have to be among the most careful thinking theologians today. This book really should generate a lot of discussion.
    I will definitely pass on any addional morsels I get from Dr. Gentry over the semester.
    Keep up the great work. I really enjoy your reviews.
    Cheers,
    Mike

    1. Thanks for the link, Michael. I had heard about the Monergism controversy, but that was a good read. Please do pass on additional morsels, it looks like a very important read. I hope to get to it before too long.

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