I will admit I am a bit of a theology geek. I will blame all those buddies of mine in the local church throughout the years as well as my seminar professors who had a great passion to know and explain the Scripture. They would say things like, “the meaning of the Scripture is the Scripture.” 

All that being said, the book, Reformed Covenant Theology, by Harrison Perkins, is a must read not only for the serious bible student, but it is absolute necessity for every Christian as well. It is an amazing book, articulating in a very readable and understandable way about what God has revealed in Scripture about our precious faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Harrison Perkins makes the profound truths of Covenant theology (how to understand best what the Bible is saying) more accessible to understand for every Christian and even how Covenant theology applies to our lives in the church and culture. 

The best way for me to review Perkin’s book is to pose three questions. First, what is Reformed Covenant theology. Second, how does he explain it. And third, why should the reader move forward with understanding reformed covenant theology. In other words, what important truths do we come away with that make an impact in our daily lives.

To answer the first question, Perkins begins by opening briefly with how we “meet God in the Covenants.”  In doing so, he breaks down in the book five simple to understand and yet weighty truths that God delivers to us from Scripture.

Part one, the Covenant of Works. Part two, the Covenant of Redemption. Part three, the substance of the Covenant of Grace. Part four, the administration of the Covenant of Grace. Part five, living in God’s Covenant of Grace. These three primary covenants in the Bible unfold as a unifying structure.

Perkins does an amazing job of not only weaving together the storyline of the Bible but as importantly, he includes the covenantal structure of Scripture itself. He details each of the covenants and how they specifically explain the glorious plan of redemption and its unifying execution for all those who will be saved throughout history, which include Old Testament and New Testament saints. Perkins follows the great tradition of the reformed, classic covenant theology that has been the standard for hundreds and hundreds of years.

Answering the second question of “how does he explain” what Covenant Theology is without losing his reader is part of the genius of the book. First, he breaks down the Covenant of Works by explaining details of the covenant God made with Adam and His commands (the law). 

Secondly, he explains this covenant’s legal character and reward. And lastly, Perkins illustrates the covenant of works principle as seen and applied to fallen man as a failure and how its applied to the Son of Man as a success. Never have I understood the Covenant of Works better.

Perkins then does the same things regarding the Covenant of Redemption. He first details the Trinity and their intratrinitarian covenant, made before time began, which is the pact between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, with the purpose of redeeming Gods elect.

Lastly, he focuses on what Scripture says about the last Adam (Christ Himself) and His people receiving, by union with Christ, the glory of Christ. To wrap up this second question, Perkins reveals the substance of the Covenant of Grace by showing the unity in Christ and how the benefits of Christ are applied to believers.

Finally, the last question of “why should the reader be motivated to move forward and advance such a great topic.” That is, how does a Christian grow in their faith? According to Perkins, it’s by having a proper understanding of how the Scripture should be read. This might be one the best parts of his book.

He specifically titles one of the chapters “applying the covenant of works.” He begins with a quote from Proverbs 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.” Perkins gives the Christian hope for the day that Christ, and not us, has gained the tree of life, by His active obedience to the law. 

Therefore this great work of Christ initiates the very Covenant of Grace we embrace today. At the same time, he rightly explains how the Covenant of Works has value for our walk with the Lord as it helps us understand our lived experience in covenant with God.

I hope you are motivated to go on a journey with Perkins to see new and exciting things from the old classic reformed Covenant Theology.