In the last 20 years there has been a resurgence in interest in Reformed Theology especially among younger Christians with a particular focus on the doctrines of grace. However, an aspect of Reformed Theology that is often neglected is Covenant Theology. Covenant theology provides a helpful framework for understanding God’s dealings with humanity throughout the history of the Bible. It helps us to see the areas of continuity and discontinuity between the Old and New Testaments and is vital to understand the concepts such as justification and sanctification. It also impacts how we think about issues like baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Perhaps the main reason for the neglect of Covenant theology has been the fact that it is, to quote Belcher, “a vast and complex topic” and it is “easy to get lost in the various approaches and different emphases of covenant theologians”. Belcher, who has taught Covenant Theology for over 25 years, has written an extensive and comprehensive introduction to Covenant Theology, which will be particularly helpful for those coming relatively fresh to Covenant Theology.

Belcher holds to the expressions of Covenant Theology as set out in the Westminster Confession of Faith but he is more concerned with showing the Biblical basis for Covenant Theology. He begins the book by helpfully setting out the major covenants found in the Bible. He then examines various minor and major deviations within Covenant Theology both within the Presbyterian tradition and within the Confessional Baptist tradition. The book is not always an easy read, particularly when he is attempting to summarise a variety of competing viewpoints but it is incredibly comprehensive and a great introduction to the various nuances and complexities surrounding Covenant Theology. His final chapter provides a fantastic summary of why Covenant Theology matters to us in the church today. This book is hugely beneficial both as an introduction to Covenant Theology and to the various debates surrounding the specifics of Covenant Theology.

This book is available to purchase from Book Depository.

Stephen Allison, Kiltarlity Free Church