How do the Old and New Testaments relate to each other? What is the relationship among the biblical covenants? In this volume in IVP Academic's Spectrum series, readers will find four contributors who explore these complex questions, each making a case for their own view and responding to the others' views to offer an animated yet irenic discussion on the continuity of Scripture.

Covenantal Dispensationalism reviews the history and development of Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism, along the way highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each hermeneutical system. This work illustrates how the two sides have grown apart, and seeks to reconcile the two by appealing to common theological concepts the two schools share, as well as providing critique where one side has better evidence for a particular point of doctrine.

The topic of the millennial kingdom of Christ, though not as crucial as some Bible doctrines, is nevertheless an important teaching that affects many Scripture passages. Nowmillennial Dispensationalism (a new term coined by the author) takes a fresh look at, and gives clear answers to, the millennial controversy that has many students of Bible prophecy confused and/or divided today. This work is the result of much discussion, Bible study, and careful comparison of the various millennial views, with an objective evaluation of each side. In the end, the reader will be left to choose between only two possible views--Premillennialism and Nowmillennialism.

“Systematic Theology is a tour de force!” —Gregg R. Allison, professor of Christian theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Trinitarian, reformational, and baptistic, Stephen Wellum’s Systematic Theology models a serious evangelical engagement with the Scriptures while being grounded in church history and keenly aware of contemporary issues. Building on decades of research, Wellum formulates doctrine exegetically, covenantally, and canonically for a new generation of students, pastors, church leaders, and seasoned theologians.

What is the relationship between the nation of Israel, Jesus Christ, and the church? Pastors and theologians come to significantly different conclusions. The reigning systems of evangelical theology, covenant theology, and dispensationalism answer this question by stressing the continuity of the Israel-church relationship (covenant theology) or emphasizing discontinuity (dispensationalism). In more recent times, progressive covenantalism has emerged as a via media between these two theological approaches by providing a different proposal for unpacking the biblical covenants, and by highlighting that to rightly understand the people of God in biblical theology, the person of Jesus Christ must be the focal point. In Christ Jesus, the True Israel, Brent E. Parker presents the case for the importance of typology in this debate, arguing that national Israel is a type, not unlike other Old Testament types (e.g., the sacrificial system, the temple, etc.), that reaches its antitypical fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Moreover, the Israel-church relationship is also typological, but only through Christ. Parker demonstrates that the progressive covenantal approach is a viable system of theology that seeks to preserve what the whole Bible says regarding the people of God, from Israel to Christ and from Christ to the church.

An accessible survey of the meaning, methodologies, themes, and applications of biblical theology To understand what the entire Bible teaches about any given subject, we must practice biblical theology. By surveying the whole canon of Scripture, we can best discern what God has revealed about any particular issue. But doing so requires answering a number of important questions: - What type of biblical theology will we choose? - What overall story does the Bible tell? - How should we understand the relationship between the Old and New Testaments? - How does our topic fit within salvation history? - How do we apply the truths we discover? 40 Questions About Biblical Theology provides resources to answer these key questions in order to guide readers in their own study and practice of biblical theology. Other vital topics the authors address include how to understand typology, key themes in biblical theology, and how Christians should relate to Old Testament promises. Ideal for courses on biblical theology, for pastors, and for anyone who teaches or interprets Scripture, 40 Questions on Biblical Theology will deepen your understanding and application of the whole counsel of God.

This groundbreaking study explores how the fight between dispensationalists and covenant theologians got started and how a unique dynamic of personalities and sociological factors enflamed it. Readers may be surprised to discover that even the terminology of dispensationalists and covenant theologians originated in the 1930s disputes; that the vast majority of the original protagonists on both sides were Presbyterians; and that soteriology, rather than eschatology, was the original bone of contention between them. This study examines how two respective strands of fundamentalism came to identify one another as theological rivals, as they each vied for position in their recently formed separatist bodies. The significance of disagreements over dispensationalism is explored in the founding of the Orthodox Presbyterian and Bible Presbyterian churches. And then, as the debate traveled southward, the response of the PCUS is examined, with special attention given to the consummative report of an ad hoc committee that found dispensationalism to be out of harmony with the Westminster doctrinal standards. Significant misunderstandings that impeded fruitful dialogue from the beginning are clarified, particularly those that have persisted most stubbornly to the present day. Perhaps most surprising of all, the reader will discover that nearly all of the original points of debate between dispensationalists and covenant theologians have since been resolved, as each side has honed its position in light of pertinent critiques. Why has this development gone almost unnoticed? This study suggests an answer, and proposes that understanding how the feud began may hold the key to rapprochement today.

Gospel-Centered Theology for Today Evangelical Theology, Second Edition helps today's readers understand and practice the doctrines of the Christian faith by presenting a gospel-centered theology that is accessible, rigorous, and balanced. According author Michael Bird the gospel is the fulcrum of Christian doctrine; the gospel is where God meets us and where we introduce the world to God. And as such, an authentically evangelical theology is the working out of the gospel in the various doctrines of Christian theology. The text helps readers learn the essentials of Christian theology through several key features, including: A "What to Take Home" section at end of every part that gives readers a run-down on all the important things they need to know. Tables, sidebars, and questions for discussion to help reinforce key ideas and concepts A "Comic Belief" section, since reading theology can often be dry and cerebral, so that readers enjoy their learning experience through some theological humor added for good measure. Now in its second edition, Evangelical Theology has proven itself in classrooms around the world as a resource that helps readers not only understand the vital doctrines of Christian theology but one that shows them how the gospel should shape how they think, pray, preach, teach, and minister in the world.

This volume is the most extensive of its kind as a major set of collected essays from a wide range of scholars on the question of the promises of God to Israel. These essays put forward the position that unconditional promises were given to Israel, which have not been fulfilled in the church or any other entity. At the consummation, there will be a continuing role for the Jews, realized through their national and territorial hope of a restored-redeemed Israel. This volume contains an eclectic group of contributors who have reached this position from various approaches to interpretation. The essays exhibit both positive argumentation and engagement with supersessionist literature.

Dr. Jeon's Biblical Theology is a timely must-read for church leaders, seminarians, pastors, and missionaries in the Global Mission Field. It examines God's redemptive history in creation, fall, redemption, and consummation as revealed in the Old and New Testaments. Dr. Jeon delves into the grand redemptive drama, progressively demonstrated through the divine covenants, as well as the manifestation of the eschatological Kingdom of God. This book provides not only a proper redemptive historical vision of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation but also key ideas for the formation of a solid biblical worldview. Dr. Jeon demonstrates the intersection and union between biblical and systematic theology while exploring redemptive history. Dr. Jeon also emphasizes that we currently live in the eschatological age, inaugurated after Jesus Christ's death and resurrection as the Mediator of the New Covenant. This inaugurated eschatological Kingdom of God will be consummated after the Second Coming of Jesus. Meanwhile, the present age is occurring during the last days, in which we live in the era of Global Missions by God's grace. The community of the New Covenant church should humbly respond by participating in evangelism and missions, demonstrating to the world that God's final judgment is coming.