Book Review: What is Covenant Theology? by Ryan M. McGraw

Ever heard the expression, "Let's get back to basics?' Normally, this is said when things are understood properly or when an organization is dwindling down due consumers not supporting their new approach. For many in the Christian life, getting back to basics is simply relearning, for lack of a better term, the fundamentals of the Christian life. 

In his book, What is Covenant Theology, Ryan M. McGraw is going back to basics in teaching the church the fundamentals regarding Covenant Theology. However, this Covenant Theology is under paedobaptist doctrine rather than credobaptist doctrine. So, we are already aware where this book is going. I am credobaptist and I agree with majority of this book, however, I still hold to my credobaptist beliefs. The purpose of this review is to give a fair assessment in what Mcgraw has written.

The beginning of book dives into the blessings of Covenant Theology which shows the beauty of the unity of the Bible. I can testify that Covenant Theology does show the Bible as one collective work rather than a collection of works that do not have any connection with one another. Another blessing is showing the unity of God and how the Trinity has worked throughout redemptive history. Finally, the blessing in living the Christian life. Covenant Theology can teach Christians how to live for the glory of God as well as living life with fellow believers. 

McGraw explains what the covenant of Grace is as opposed to the covenant of works. As well as how covenant theology is beneficial to the Christian life. Mcgraw does mention baptism and how is it a better sign of the covenant than circumcision was. The way he presents baptism sounded more credo than it did paedo. He states that baptism "requires our self-identification with God. Water in baptism shows us that we need washing...Due to the filthiness of our sins, we need to be washed by Christ's blood." Mcgraw is a paedobaptist and they baptize babies showing them to be under the New Covenant. Paedobaptists believe their children are regenerate until they are shown otherwise. As a credobaptist, I disagree with this view.

McGraw continues in the book to show how covenant theology connects Scripture as a whole and ends with answering common questions regarding covenant theology.

This book is an easy read and anyone who does not understand covenant theology will be able to comprehend it a lot more than most theological textbooks, not that those are a bad thing. Even though this is from paedobaptist covenant theology, credobaptists can benefit for this book. 

Yes, I am still a credobaptist after reading this book

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.