Samuel Renihan’s review of Kingdom Through Covenant is available now in the JIRBS 2014 edition. I highly recommend it!
I understand the authors’ reservations. To embrace the covenant of works, in their minds, is to embrace all of the errors of classic covenant theology. But they are operating under a false dilemma. Along the same lines it would seem that their opinion is that covenant theology is equal to the classic formulation of the covenant of grace being one in substance, varying only in administration. They state that “It is more accurate to think in terms of a plurality of covenants, which are part of the progressive revelation of the one plan of God that is fulfilled in the new covenant” (602). That is the dominant paedobaptist portrayal, but it is not the dominant portrayal of the history of Baptist federal theology. A good dose of Baptist historical theology might be of great benefit.
a very good review article
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Rich or Brandon, Where can we (easily?) get up to speed from your side to better understand young Renihan’s concerns?
I seem to recall a chart (*shudder*) that Mr Adams has drawn up contrasting – of course – various Baptist views of covenants, etc.
There are just too many flavors!
Thanks.
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Hi Hugh, here’s a brief video overview of what you’ll find in the review: http://www.1689federalism.com/portfolio/vs-new-covenant-theology-progressive-covenantalism/
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Thanks, Brandon. So Gentry & Wellum are just “New Cov’t Theology” theologians?
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Yes, though they prefer the term Progressive Covenantalism because some who are associated with New Covenant Theology are a little careless.
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Hugh, yes, for only $12!
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I wouldn’t say that what Brandon wrote about Gentry/Wellum preferring Progressive Covenantalism over NCT is quite inaccurate, but I would venture to say that there is a little more to it than that.
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the only way to allow Sam to speak on the book is to read the article http://www.rbap.net/our-books/journal-of-the-institute-of-reformed-baptist-studies-2014/
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Right. For only $12! Here’s a longer sample: http://www.1689federalism.com/portfolio/vs-new-covenant-theology-progressive-covenantalism/
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sample of the article is here: http://www.rbap.net/journal-of-the-institute-of-reformed-baptist-studies-sample-of-review-article-on-kingdom-through-covenant/
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