Current Theme | September 2023

A Primer on Progressive Covenantalism

A Theological Exploration of Genesis 1–11

When Peter Gentry and Stephen Wellum wrote Kingdom through Covenant (2012), they introduced an approach to the Bible that stands between Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism. Without attempting to create something novel or merely balancing two competing theologies, Progressive Covenantalism holds forth a rigorously, exegetical approach to the Bible—one that reads Scripture on its own terms, so that each covenant relates to and results in God’s kingdom coming by means of Christ’s new covenant. This month, join us as we discover how God has established his kingdom through a series of covenants that bring us to Jesus Christ—who is Lord over all!

Table of Contents

What is Progressive Covenantalism? Part 1

By Stephen Wellum • Longform Essay • September 4
The ultimate storyline of the Bible finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, but how does this story develop and advance? It does so through the unfolding of various covenants which progressively reveal God's redemptive plan for his people.

2.39 Stephen Wellum • Reading • “What is Progressive Covenantalism? Part 1”

By Stephen Wellum • Podcast Reading • September 5
The ultimate storyline of the Bible finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, but how does this story develop and advance? It does so through the unfolding of various covenants which progressively reveal God's redemptive plan for his people.

How to Interpret the Covenants and the Nature of Typology: A Companion Article

By Stephen Wellum • Concise Article • September 6
To rightly interpret the Bible, we must read it on its own terms. This means paying careful attention to the covenantal structure of Scripture and its various promise-shaped types.

The Differences Between Typology and Allegory

By Brent Parker • Concise Article • September 7
Is typology a twin of allegory? A distant cousin? Or something far different?

Dispensational and Covenant Theology

By Stephen Wellum • Concise Article • September 8
Since Progressive Covenantalism charts a course between dispensational and covenant theology, understanding these two popular views clarifies Progressive Coventalism's distinct contributions.

Progressive Covenantalism and 1689 Federalism: Comparing Baptist Covenantal Theologies

By Richard Lucas • Concise Article • September 11
How is Progressive Covenantalism different from 1689 Federalism? And do these Baptist covenantal theologies differ from reformed covenant theology?

2.40 Stephen Wellum, David Schrock, Trent Hunter • Interview • “What is Progressive Covenantalism? Part 1”

By Stephen Wellum, David Schrock, Trent Hunter • Podcast Interview • September 11
The ultimate storyline of the Bible finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, but how does this story develop and advance? It does so through the unfolding of various covenants which progressively reveal God's redemptive plan for his people.

The Creation Covenant According to Progressive Covenantalism: Laying the Right Foundation

By Richard Lucas • Concise Article • September 12
Sound structures require firm foundations. Therefore, when constructing biblical and systematic theology, it's critical to rightly understand the creation covenant, the building block upon which each succeeding covenant will rest.

The Noahic Covenant within Progressive Covenantalism (Part 1)

By Michael Carlino • Concise Article • September 13
How does the Noahic Covenant fit into Scripture? Both by hearkening back to the original creation covenant and by looking ahead to the consummation of the new creation at Christ's return.

The Noahic Covenant within Progressive Covenantalism (Part 2)

By Michael Carlino • Concise Article • September 14
The Noahic Covenant is certainly an expression of God's common grace but not exclusively so. Indeed, it also demonstrates his saving grace as it showcases his steadfast love and previews a greater salvation to come.

God’s Covenant with Abraham

By Peter J. Gentry • Concise Article • September 15
What are the key points of the Abrahamic Covenant? And how does it fit in the larger storyline of Scripture?

What is Progressive Covenantalism? Part 2

By Stephen Wellum • Longform Essay • September 18
The biblical covenants which give shape to Scripture finally culminate in the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ. What does this mean for the church, God's New Covenant people?

2.41 Stephen Wellum • Reading • “What is Progressive Covenantalism? Part 2”

By Stephen Wellum • Podcast Reading • September 18
The biblical covenants which give shape to Scripture finally culminate in the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ. What does this mean for the church, God's New Covenant people?

The Law of Moses—The Mosaic Covenant Viewed Through Progressive Covenantalism (Part 1)

By Ardel Caneday • Concise Article • September 19
Christians have long disputed how the Mosaic Law applies to the church today. How does Progressive Covenantalism answer this important question?

The Law of Moses—The Mosaic Covenant Viewed Through Progressive Covenantalism (Part 2)

By Ardel Caneday • Concise Article • September 20
Paul writes that the law is good if one uses it lawfully (1 Tim. 1:8). So how do Christians, who are no longer under the Mosaic Law, use the law rightly?

Applying the Law of Moses to the Christian Life

By Joshua M. Greever • Concise Article • September 21
Are Christians obligated to obey the Old Testament laws? How does one apply these laws to a believer under the new covenant?

The Levitical Covenant (Part 1): Returning a Priceless Work of Art to the Bible

By David Schrock • Concise Article • September 22
Like a long-forgotten treasure, the Levitical Covenant has nearly slipped into obscurity. We seek to recover it here, examining its beauty and placing it back amongst its covenantal counterparts.

The Levitical Covenant (Part 2): Three Truths About the Levitical Covenant

By David Schrock • Concise Article • September 25
If the Levitical covenant is the shell, then the Mosaic covenant is the yolk. But this is a shell that reinforces the weakness of the Mosaic covenant in preparation for something even greater.

2.42 Stephen Wellum and David Schrock • Interview • “What is Progressive Covenantalism? Part 2”

By Stephen Wellum and David Schrock • Podcast Interview • September 25
The biblical covenants which give shape to Scripture finally culminate in the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ. What does this mean for the church, God's New Covenant people?

The Levitical Covenant (Part 3): The Priestly Nature of the New Covenant

By David Schrock • Concise Article • September 26
Jesus Christ is our great high priest and he has transformed his people into a kingdom of priests. How does the Levitical Covenant foreshadow our Savior's priestly service?

Making Sense of Melchizedek Through the Framework of Progressive Covenantalism

By Matthew Emadi • Concise Article • September 27
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." Shakespeare was not writing of Scripture, yet it too is a stage on which various figures appear with a part to play. What is Melchizedek's role in the grand drama of redemptive history?

The Davidic Covenant

By Jason S. DeRouchie • Concise Article • September 28
In the Old Testament, all the prior covenants convene in the Davidic Covenant as God's plan to regain Fortress Earth culminates in this kingly figure. How does David anticipate the true king who will come from his line?

The New Covenant

By Joshua M. Greever • Concise Article • September 29
In order to truly savor the New Covenant, we must recognize how it both stands in continuity with the previous biblical covenants, yet also stands apart as a uniquely glorious set of promises.

Typological Reading Versus Typological Writing (Part One)

By Ardel Caneday • Concise Article • October 2
As readers, we do not have authority to view a text through any interpretive lens of our choosing. When we speak of typology then, we do not speak of an optional tool by which we can analyze Scripture. Rather, we refer to the Spirit-inspired patterns woven into the text itself.

2.43 Stephen Wellum, David Schrock, Trent Hunter • Interview • “What is Progressive Covenantalism? Part 3”

By Stephen Wellum and David Schrock • Podcast Interview • September 25
The biblical covenants which give shape to Scripture finally culminate in the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ. What does this mean for the church, God's New Covenant people?

Typological Reading Versus Typological Writing (Part Two)

By Ardel Caneday • Concise Article • October 3
When we rewind the tape and look at the Old Testament from our New Testament perspective, we see that the story really was about Jesus all along.

Ethics through Covenant: A Primer on Progressive Covenantalism and Moral Theology (Part 1)

By Andrew T. Walker • Concise Article • October 4
As Christians seek to apply Scripture to the ethical questions of daily life, progressive covenantalism provides an interpretive framework that helps produce a unified, comprehensive, and biblical morality.

Ethics through Covenant: A Primer on Progressive Covenantalism and Moral Theology (Part 2)

By Andrew T. Walker • Concise Article • October 5
Is a non-Christian truly married, or does marriage only exist for Christians? Progressive Covenantalism helps us to answer ethical questions such as these.

Ethics through Covenant: A Primer on Progressive Covenantalism and Moral Theology (Part 3)

By Andrew T. Walker • Concise Article • October 6
Does Jesus create a new ethic in the New Covenant? Progressive Covenantalism helps us see the answer is no. Instead, Jesus reveals a greater horizon for the ethic present throughout all of Scripture.

September Intermission: From Progressive Covenantalism to Christian Nationalism(s)

By David Schrock • Concise Article • October 9
As we move from Progressive Covenantalism in September to Christian Nationalism in October, we are building a months-long foundation for Christian witness in the public square. In October, we investigate the many types of Christian Nationalisms present today.

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