Wyatt Graham

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Review of Kingdom through Covenant (2nd Ed) by Gentry and Wellum

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Gentry, Peter J., and Stephen J. Wellum. Kingdom through Covenant. Crossway, 2018.

When Peter Gentry and Stephen Wellum released the first edition of their Kingdom through Covenant in 2012, they made a significant contribution to the evangelical theological scene. Their argument, in short, is that the biblical covenants form the backbone to the storyline of Scripture. Hence, Christians ought to read the Bible according to the storyline that progresses along time through the covenant.

What they call progressive covenantalism does not quite fit within traditional covenantal or dispensational theology. So it forms a third system that stands between (or apart from) dispensationalism and covenantalism. [Read more…] about Review of Kingdom through Covenant (2nd Ed) by Gentry and Wellum

Where the Differences Lie between Bruxy Cavey and (Reformed) Evangelicals

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Recently, TGC Canada hosted an interview between Paul Carter and Bruxy Cavey. The former sought to understand Cavey given his influence in Ontario and beyond. One of the benefits of this conversation was to clarify what Cavey teaches and, secondarily, to help evangelicals understand why they believe what they do.

The reason why conversations like this one work is because of the nature of truth. God is true, his creation exhibits truth, and truth is therefore beautiful and attractive. Hence, whatever the ultimate result of the interview between Carter and Cavey is, we can be confident that the truth of God always finds its home in the hearts of his people.

Since this is so, consider the following three areas in which Cavey and evangelical Christians differ to understand the disagreements better so that we can search out the Scriptures for ourselves to find the truth. [Read more…] about Where the Differences Lie between Bruxy Cavey and (Reformed) Evangelicals

Ready, Aim, Misfire: Analyzing the Online Social Justice Debate

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The current evangelical debate mainly exists online with four (or more) basic positions: (1) Some say that social justice and the Gospel are basically the same thing, (2) some emphasize that social justice necessary follows from the Gospel, (3)  some are mostly concerned that social justice does not replace the Gospel, and (4) some say that the Gospel does not necessarily entail engagement with social justice.

Within or around these four views are various positions that can overlap with broader cultural concerns. Jared Wilson, to my mind, has demonstrated how fluid some of these categories can be. With this said, I suggest a sort of moratorium on the debate because the same evangelicals who are debating each other basically agree with each other and don’t hold the positions that they assume the other side holds.

In other words, this whole debate is sadly about a misfired gun. [Read more…] about Ready, Aim, Misfire: Analyzing the Online Social Justice Debate

Review of Time And the Word by Ephraim Radner

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Ephraim Radner challenges the notion that historical-critical study alone leads to a right understanding of Scripture. In its place, he retrieves and restates the basis for a figural reading of Scripture. As might be expected, the scope of Radner’s argument is massive. But Radner appears to have mastered a nearly endless stream of material. [Read more…] about Review of Time And the Word by Ephraim Radner

One Reason Why People Disagree on Social Justice

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In the USA, some Christian leaders are debating the nature and place of social justice. One side wants to define the Gospel as a proclamation that does not entail social justice. The other side affirms that the Gospel alone saves while also emphasizing those saved by the Gospel will necessarily live by the Gospel, which means doing justice. As might be obvious, the difference here is slight but significant enough to warrant discussion.*

My observation here is that the debate partly revolves around how the Old Testament applies to the church today. By grasping this point, parts of the dispute become much clearer. And it is worth exploring how the Old Testament relates to us today because this knowledge will help believers live their life as they ought to (2 Tim 3:16). The discussion matters. [Read more…] about One Reason Why People Disagree on Social Justice