God’s covenant of grace with His elect people in Jesus Christ—a truth that lies at the very heart of the Reformed faith and life—is the subject of this significant study. Because the covenant is in its roots God-centred, the author treats his subject theologically. Because the covenant is the golden thread in God’s revelation in Scripture, the author treats his subject biblically and historically. Because the covenant has important application to the believer’s life and walk, the author treats his subject practically.
The focus of this book is the unity of the covenant in all dispensations and the sovereignty of God’s grace in establishing and maintaining the covenant. Some of the topics considered are the covenant with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Old Testament Israel, and the New Testament church, the mediator of the covenant, infant baptism, and the believer’s part in the covenant.
GOD’S EVERLASTING COVENANT OF GRACE, by Herman Hanko (Reformed Free Publishing Association, 236 pp., paperback). Reviewed by David J. Engelsma.
This is a book to be read for pleasure and profit. This covenant theologian, professor of theology at the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary, gives us a thorough exposition of the truth of the covenant. This is no small gift, for, as the author declares:
It is by no means an exaggeration to say that God’s covenant is the key to the interpretation of the whole of God’s Word. It is a truth written large on every page of Holy Writ. It is a truth in the light of which the whole of the Scriptures must be interpreted. It is the central teaching of all that God has said in His infallible Word. (p. 229)
Throughout, there is practical application to the life and experience of the member of the covenant, convinced as Hanko is that “it (the covenant) is the greatest possible comfort and hope for the child of God as he wends his weary way in the pilgrimage of this life” (p. 229). The approach is historical; beginning with the covenant life of God Himself, the book treats the covenant in its historical revelation—the covenant with Adam; the covenant with Noah; etc. Not only should those espousing dispensationalism give this presentation of covenant theology a hearing, but also those holding to covenant theology in the Reformed and Presbyterian denominations ought to acquaint themselves with the doctrine (and life) of the covenant as this doctrine (and life) have been developed in the Protestant Reformed Churches. To refer only to ,one aspect of the truth of the covenant, the covenant with Noah will be seen in an entirely different light than is the case generally in Reformed and Presbyterian circles—and a glorious light at that! Hanko and the Reformed Free Publishing Association are to be thanked for this valuable contribution to Reformed literature.
“[This book is] easily understandable by the Christian layman” (The Presbyterian).
“Would you please send me a copy of God’s Everlasting Covenant of Grace by Prof. Hanko. The video interview with Prof. Hanko has whet my appetite to read it. I’m looking forward to thinking more about the wonderful covenant that God made with Christ and with us in Him.” – Yorkshire, England
“Finished reading this amazing book by Professor Herman Hanko. I’m going to sing its praises because this book has thrilled my soul right throughout its reading and brought such comfort in understanding God’s everlasting covenant of grace for his elect people. For those who miss the covenant, whose church does not teach it in all its boundless beauty, you have no idea what you are missing out on!” – Co. Antrim
Click here to read excerpts of this book in Portuguese.
Chapter 3 has been translated and is available here in Polish.
To watch the video of the author interview concerning this book, click here.
