The discussions on the Dispensationalism Covenant Theology spectrum can be quite perplexing when you first begin exploring them. Here I give you seven great introductory works on the subject, with the first two being broad surveys of the major views.
1. Discontinuity to Continuity: A Survey of Dispensational and Covenantal Theologies
I had the pleasure of reviewing this volume in 2020, and it still remains to be one of my favorites. It is accessible, fair, and objective. It is one of those books you’ll want to shelf and re-read, and just as well you’ll have a fair picture of the primary issues at stake in the Dispensational and Covenant Theology discussions.
2. Covenantal and Dispensational Theologies: Four Views on the Continuity of Scripture
Like the first suggestion, this book covers various views, namely,
- Covenant Theology, represented by Michael S. Horton
- Progressive Covenantalism, represented by Stephen J. Wellum
- Progressive Dispensationalism, represented by Darrell L. Bock
- Traditional Dispensationalism, represented by Mark A. Snoeberger
The perk of this volume is that you get each of these perspectives from its own adherents in a single volume.
3. On Classic Dispensationalism: Dispensationalism
One of the classics of Classic Dispensation is by Ryrie with a description that summarizes its contents well, “Highly acclaimed theologian Dr. Charles C. Ryrie addresses this crucial issue from the perspective of classic dispensationalism. He confronts the views of covenant theology, historical premillennialism, ultradispensationalism, and in this revised edition, the increasingly popular progressive dispensationalism.”
4. On Progressive Dispensationalism: Progressive Dispensationalism
For Progressive Dispensationalism, Blaising’s work has been highly recommended as “a comprehensive overview of the most important issues in dispensationalism, underpinned with accurate scholarship and summarized with clarity.”
Robert Saucy’s Volume is also noteworthy (or here)
5. On Covenant Theology: Introducing Covenant Theology
Michael Horton’s introduction to Covenant Theology is an easy go-to on the subject as it “unwinds the intricacies of covenant theology, making the complex surprisingly simple and accessible to every reader.”
Ready to go into the nitty-gritty on Covenant Theology? Pick up: Covenant Theology: Biblical, Theological, and Historical Perspectives.
6. On Progressive Covenantalism: Progressive Covenantalism: Charting a Course between Dispensational and Covenantal Theologies
In this volume, you’ll find a number of contributors and articles discussing the distinctive of Progressive Covenantalism. It is a solid work that is accessible and gets you to key issues on the subject.
“Building on the foundation of Kingdom through Covenant (Crossway, 2012), Stephen J. Wellum and Brent E. Parker have assembled a team of scholars who offer a fresh perspective regarding the interrelationship between the biblical covenants. Each chapter seeks to demonstrate how the covenants serve as the backbone to the grand narrative of Scripture.”
Pick it up here.
Ready to go into the nitty-gritty on Progressive Covenantalism? Pick up: Kingdom Through Covenant. Also, check out the CITC episode with Stephen Wellum on Progressive Covenantalism.
7. On New Covenant Theology: What is New Covenant Theology? An Introduction
Blake White introduces readers to New Covenant Theology and its distinctives over and against Dispensationalism and Covenant Theologies.
Pick it up here or here. Also, check out the CITC episode on New Covenant Theology with Blake White.
Have honorable mentions to add? Leave them in the comments.
Note: Links are affilate links
My name is Nicholas [Nick] Campbell and I live in Texas with my wife and two children. I have a BA in Biblical Studies and a MA in New Testament Studies. Learn more about me and CITC at christisthecure.org/about
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