Journal: Reformed Baptist Theological Review
Volume: RBTR 04:2 (Jul 2007)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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RBTR 4:2 (July 2007) p. 143

Book Reviews

Readers will understand that we are not able to supply these books.

Covenant Theology from Adam to Christ,Ronald D. Miller, James M. Renihan, Francisco Orozco, eds.(Reformed Baptist Academic Press, 2005, hb., 384 pages. $40.00)

Reviewed by Eddie Goodwin1

Hercules had his labors. Alexander the Great faced the Gordian knot. And for a growing number of Baptists today, there is the great challenge of explaining precisely how one can be committed to both Reformed covenant theology and credo-Baptistic convictions. Thankfully, a ready reply is available in a new compilation work from Reformed Baptist Academic Press entitled, Covenant Theology from Adam to Christ.2

The bulk of Covenant Theology from Adam to Christ consists of two works: a reprint of Nehemiah Coxe’s “A Discourse of the Covenants that God made with men before the Law” and John Owen’s “An Exposition of Hebrews 8:6-13.” At least two important observations demonstrate the value of these works for contemporary Reformed Baptists. The first observation concerns the historical backdrop and content of Coxe’s work as a Particular Baptist theologian. The second observation centers on Owen’s compelling exposition of the superiority and “newness” of the New Covenant.

To begin with, the historical backdrop of Coxe’s work is of vital interest to modern day Reformed Baptists. It must be noted that Nehemiah Coxe, though perhaps unknown to many, is a stately giant among our Particular Baptist forefathers. In fact, ample evidence suggests that Coxe served as the chief editor for the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1677/1689 itself. More germane to this review, however, is the fact that Coxe’s work on the covenants reflects the overwhelming continuity that existed historically between Particular Baptists and their paedobaptistic brethren with regard to the progressive nature of redemptive revelation. As editor James Renihan points out in the introduction to this volume, “covenantal defenses of believer’s baptism were the rule rather than the exception” in Coxe’s time (2). The practical upshot of this progressive view of redemptive revelation is

RBTR 4:2 (July 2007) p. 144

twofold. On the one hand, it is not necessary, nor exegetically viable, to embrace a dispensational hermeneutic in order to preserve the doctrine of believer’s baptism. On the other hand, a thoroughly Reformed covenantal theology need not, and in fact does not, lead to the practice of ...

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