Covenant

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Summary: Interesting Look at the Covenants of the Bible
Review: This book sets out an interesting and original way of looking at the Biblical covenants. Walton's thesis is that the covenants are not primarily soteric or redemptive, but revelatory. Thus, his view of the covenants is significantly different from the views of covenant theology and dispensationalism. He argues that the OT covenants have a revelatory function during the OT period and that the New Covenant marks a transition point where a new people of God (the Church) is formed. He argues that the covenants are unconditional, but the benefits of the covenants are conditioned upon faithfulness on the part of the elect on the requirements of the covenants. His view of Israel and the Church is a mediating position between covenant theology and classical dispensationalism. Though he argues against replacement theology (covenant theology), he also argues against the view that Israel is still a separate people of God apart from the Church. He argues that Israel will possess certain future blessings in the Millennial Kingdom due to God's covenant promises with them, but present-day physical Israelites must accept Christ to become part of the new people of God (the Church). However, Jewish Christians are a different "sector" of God's family in the NT with different privileges and blessings that Gentile believers do not have any rights to. Also, Walton believes that the OT Law is a whole unit that has been "superimposed" by the Law of Christ. Therefore, NT believers have the Law implanted in their hearts so that they can render obedience to God. The external code is useful, but is inferior in that it cannot transform peoples' hearts. What is needed is the Holy Spirit to implant the Law in the heart so that people are able to obey God's commands. Walton gives us an interesting look at the covenants from a revelatory perspective. Covenant theologians and dispensationalists should read this book to get a better understanding of the nature of the OT covenants.