One of the central claims in God’s Kingdom through God’s Covenants is that covenants are not a secondary theological theme, but the structural backbone of Scripture. Peter Gentry and Stephen Wellum argue that the Bible cannot be rightly understood apart from the covenants that unfold across redemptive history. These covenants shape the storyline of Scripture, guide theological conclusions, and ground faithful application.¹
This claim exposes a widespread problem in modern Christianity. Many believers are unfamiliar with what a covenant actually is, let alone why it matters. This lack of biblical literacy often leads to shallow engagement with Scripture and, in some cases, outright dismissal of the Bible’s authority. According to the authors, “correctly putting together the biblical covenants is central to grasping the Bible’s story, drawing correct theological conclusions, and rightly applying Scripture to our daily lives.”²
At the heart of their argument is a framework they describe as “kingdom through covenant,” also known as progressive covenantalism.³ God has one unified plan to redeem a fallen world, and He accomplishes that plan through a series of covenants that culminate in Christ. These covenants begin in Genesis, develop throughout the Old Testament, and reach fulfillment in the death and resurrection of Jesus, which inaugurates the New Covenant.
Scripture as Word-Act Revelation
Before addressing the covenants themselves, Gentry and Wellum establish a foundational view of Scripture. They describe the Bible as word-act revelation, meaning Scripture is God’s authoritative interpretation of His redemptive acts, communicated through human authors.⁴ What God says and what God does cannot be separated. Scripture is not merely a record of divine activity. It is itself an act of revelation.
As they explain, Scripture is “a product of God’s own redemptive acts for the purpose of teaching, edification, instruction, and as such is fully authoritative and sufficient for our thinking and lives.”⁵ This perspective safeguards both the divine authority and historical rootedness of the Bible. It also reinforces why covenant theology matters. If Scripture is unified and purposeful, then the covenants that structure it must be read as intentional and interconnected.
Tracing the Biblical Covenants
With that groundwork in place, the authors trace the covenants themselves. They define covenant within its ancient context and then examine how God establishes covenants with His people. From Noah to Abraham, from Sinai to David, and ultimately through Christ, each covenant builds upon the previous one.
Rather than treating these covenants as isolated agreements, the authors show how they advance God’s redemptive purposes. Each covenant reveals more about God’s character, His promises, and His plan to dwell with His people. The New Covenant does not erase what came before it. It fulfills and transforms it.
A Critical Tension Regarding Israel
While the book’s overall argument is compelling, one area raises important theological questions. Gentry and Wellum argue that God’s promises to Israel are fulfilled in Christ, stating that God has not replaced Israel with the church, but has brought Israel’s role to fulfillment in Christ and Christ’s people.⁶
This framing raises tension around the future of ethnic Israel. While it is clear that Gentiles are adopted into God’s covenant family, Scripture also speaks repeatedly of Israel as a physical nation with enduring promises. Romans 11:25–27 acknowledges ongoing debate, yet verse 29 declares that “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Luke 1:33 speaks of Jesus reigning over the house of Jacob forever.
These passages suggest that God’s covenant faithfulness includes both spiritual and physical dimensions. To collapse Israel entirely into a spiritual category risks oversimplifying the biblical witness. While the authors acknowledge debate, their conclusions appear more settled than Scripture itself may allow.
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Covenant as Lived Reality
Beyond theological debate, the book reshaped my understanding of covenant at a deeply personal level. I had long understood that God’s covenant with His people was important, but I had not grasped its weight. Reading this book during the same season I was entering marriage brought that weight into sharp focus.
Marriage is not merely a legal agreement. It is, as the authors describe, “a loyalty agreement formally solemnized by a vow before God.”⁷ This realization reframed how I understood trust, commitment, and faithfulness. Entering a covenant with my husband was not primarily about trusting another human to be perfect. It was about trusting God, who stands as witness and sustainer of the covenant.
The book also challenged the idea that covenants exist only because of sin. While some argue that covenants were necessary only after the Fall, marriage existed as a covenant relationship prior to sin.⁸ Covenant, then, is not merely a response to human failure. It is part of God’s original design for relationship.
Covenant as Mercy, Not Scorekeeping
Growing up, covenant language often felt like a threat, as if God were tallying failures and waiting to withdraw favor. Studying covenant theology revealed the opposite. Covenants expose human failure, but they magnify divine mercy. God binds Himself to His people, even when they repeatedly fail to uphold their obligations.
Understanding covenant through Scripture and background study transformed how I view my relationship with God. Covenant is not about keeping score. It is about God’s commitment to remain faithful, even when faithfulness is costly.
Why This Matters for Old Testament Backgrounds
This book demonstrates why Old Testament backgrounds are essential. Covenants did not emerge in a vacuum. They were communicated in historical, cultural forms that carried real meaning for their original audience. Studying those backgrounds does not diminish Scripture’s authority. It clarifies it.
When covenants are understood within their proper context, the Bible’s unity becomes clearer. God’s plan does not shift. His faithfulness does not waver. From creation to Christ, covenant is the thread that holds the story together.
Bibliography
Gentry, Peter J., and Stephen J. Wellum. God’s Kingdom through God’s Covenants: A Concise Biblical Theology. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015.
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