Covenant Theology. From Noah to David, successive covenants are seen in the Old Testament as expressions of divine purpose. The argument for and against the close relation of these "terms of agreement" between humankind and God have, for the past fifty years, been at the heart of biblical studies. Old Testament scholar W. J. Dumbrell reaffirms one facet of this study--the theory of covenant--in Covenant and Creation. Where many have since tried to refute or seriously modify this covenant model, Dumbrell finds it at the core of Reformed doctrine.Covenant and Creation traces the background and content of each biblical covenant beginning with Noah and God after the flood, Abraham (the creation of Israel and its people), Mt. Sinai and Moses (the creation of the Law), and David (the creation of the monarchy). And what of the New Covenant? The effects of the Babylonian exile and the connecting themes in the books of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Isaiah are evaluated.The epilogue delves into theological implications of the postexilic period in Israel's history, and further developments by the major exilic prophets. Readers will find this a summary most helpful in understanding New Covenant theology that emerged in the early Christian era.

Does sexual difference matter for marriage? Are there good theological reasons why the two main characters in a marriage should be a male and a female, or is marriage a more flexible covenant, which any two people can keep? Creation and Covenant analyzes latent but under-examined beliefs about sexual difference in the theology about marriage which has been dominant for centuries in the Christian west. The book opens by studying patristic theologies of marriage, which rested on mostly implicit and often incompatible beliefs about sexual difference. However, Roberts argues that Augustine developed a coherent theology of sexual difference, according it a shifting significance from creation to eschaton. Roberts traces how Augustine's theology influenced and was developed by subsequent theologians, such as Bernard of Clairvaux, Luther, Barth, and John Paul II. Finally, Roberts engages today's debates about gay marriage. Before becoming an academic, Dr. Roberts was a journalist. On behalf of PBS television, he covered both the Lambeth Conference in England and the World Council of Churches in Zimbabwe. During those years, he was disappointed by both the liberal and conservative arguments on homosexuality. Left-wingers seemed more interested in privacy, autonomy, and experience than in theology, and right-wingers seemed to have lots of prohibitions but little good news. In the final chapters, this book tries to do better, inviting liberals to improve the standard of their arguments, and explaining what is beautiful and persuasive about the traditional case.

Creation, Sin, Covenant, and Salvation is a primer for biblical theology that is accessible to lay readers of all ages. This is the ideal book for those seeking a short, accessible synopsis of the Christian worldview. Sprinkled with anecdotes and illustrations, the book eases readers into a succinct yet comprehensive discussion of biblical thought. The final chapter explains the authority, practical value, and intended purpose of Scripture. Meadors inspires readers to think critically about the real life believability of the Christian faith, especially its intellectual coherence. In keeping with biblical theology, the book affirms the continuity of biblical revelation from beginning to end before consummating in the resurrection of the dead and God’s restoration of all creation.

God's grace demonstrated in the biblical narrative through the lens of covenant. This study analyses the different divine covenants of the Old Testament and argues that they are closely related. The successive covenants, from Noah to David, are seen to express the divine purpose for humanity from the creation onwards. William Dumbrell interacts extensively with attempts to explain the significance of concepts such as the gift of the land, victory, rest and the divine presence. This extraordinary book also throws light upon the Christian use of the Old Testament categories. This second, revised edition brings the subject right up to date.

Leading scholar Daniel Block helps students of the Bible understand the big picture of God's covenants with humanity as they play out in both the First and the New Testaments. After fifty years of teaching and preaching around the globe, Block brings a lifetime of study and reflection on the First Testament and relationship with God to this comprehensive volume. The book focuses on God's covenants as the means by which God has reached out to a fallen humanity. It examines the heart and history of God's redemptive plan and shows why the covenants are essential for our understanding of the Bible.

God's grace demonstrated in the biblical narrative through the lens of covenant. This study analyses the different divine covenants of the Old Testament and argues that they are closely related. The successive covenants, from Noah to David, are seen to express the divine purpose for humanity from the creation onwards. William Dumbrell interacts extensively with attempts to explain the significance of concepts such as the gift of the land, victory, rest and the divine presence. This extraordinary book also throws light upon the Christian use of the Old Testament categories. This second, revised edition brings the subject right up to date.