Get a better understanding of the whole structure of the Bible with this easy introduction to covenant theology
The Bible is written in covenant language. The more you understand the structure of the Bible the better you will understand the major message of the Bible and see how everything fits together. There is a unity to the message of the Bible, centered around covenant theology, related to God’s plan to restore broken human beings who have rebelled against him. Covenant theology explains how we became broken and how God plans to save us. The gospel itself is dependent on the covenantal framework of Scripture. Richard P. Belcher, Jr., John D. and Frances M. Gwin Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, brings his...
Atheists often level charges at the God of the Bible as being angry and hateful. They claim that God condones genocide, that He is a cruel and oppressive megalomaniac, but this doesn’t seem to match what Christians claim about Him being a God of love. How can a God who provides and saves also wipe out entire nations?
Dr. Richard Belcher’s addition to the Big Ten series addresses these commonly asked questions. He begins by laying out how God created humanity in His own image, but we chose to reject Him. Our very sense that things are not fair points to the perfect justice of God. Dr. Belcher shows that God’s justice, including expressions of anger against wrongdoing, is compatible with His love and goodness.
Dr. Belcher then tackles...
A variety of views and nuances of covenant theology exist within the Reformed church and the broader evangelical world. This book seeks to explain covenant theology as presented in the Westminster Confession of Faith as a starting point for discussions of covenant theology and as a foundation to evaluate other views. Some variations of covenant theology are minor and do not impact the system of doctrine of Reformed theology, but other variations are major and impact important doctrines associated with justification by faith. Attention is also given to the views of confessional Baptists, as well as those who are evangelicals and operate with a covenantal approach to Scripture. This book combines a straightforward explanation of basic...
There has been an explosion of interest in wisdom literature, and many studies are now available. There is every opportunity for people to "get wisdom, get insight" (Prov. 4:5). However, in today's world it seems the practical sensibilities that come from wisdom are found in very few places. Wisdom literature is needed now more than ever. By walking in the way of wisdom, we will "find favour and good success in the sight of God and man" (Prov. 3:4). In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, Richard Belcher begins with a survey of the problem of wisdom literature in Old Testament theology. Subsequent chapters focus on the message and theology of the books of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. These point forward to the need for Christ...
The book of Ecclesiastes, part of the wisdom literature of the Bible, can be a perplexing maze to interpret and teach. Full of apparent contradictions and much-debated Hebrew, the theme focuses on the gritty realities of life 'under the sun'. Richard Belcher approaches this book with the depth and care it needs, presenting solid guidance on the intricacies of interpretation - alongside continual comments on the practicalities of preaching.
Is God worthy of worship only because He blesses us? How should we respond to God when suffering comes into our lives? At the heart of the book of Job is a question about the character of God - and about how we should respond to Him. In this most recent title of the extensive Focus on the Bible series, Richard Belcher expertly deals with the difficult themes of this practical book, showing how it is still acutely applicable to the lives of believers.
Although early church fathers recognized the different roles of Christ, John Calvin was the first to call attention to his distinct offices of prophet, priest, and king. Starting in Genesis, these offices recur time and again throughout the Bible. Viewed alongside Christ's humiliation and exultation, they give us a fully rounded understanding of his work, as well as insight into the ongoing work of the church. In this biblical theology, Richard Belcher explores and defines the basic functions of prophets, priests, and kings through an analysis of key Old Testament texts before discussing the fulfillment of these offices in Christ and the transformation of these offices for the church, its leaders, and individual believers. Includes study...
What is the relevance and significance of the Psalms both to the New Testament and to our lives in the 21st Century? Richard Belcher helps you understand how all the psalms relate to Christ. Some have a direct relationship, but with others the link is not so evident. He carefully explains the biblical basis for his view and then how it works with different types of psalms.
