May Book Review
May Book Review
The Mystery Of Christ His Covenant & His Kingdom
AUTHOR: Samuel Renihan
Greetings to Awakening Church, my prayer this month is that you are finding time to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the spirit of that prayer, I want to offer a book that had a strong effect on my personal growth. In my past, like many Baptists, I fought through a dark place, visited by frequent bouts of “Presbyterian temptation”. Thanks be to God for clear and lucid writing able to bring me back from the brink. Authors such as Denault, Coxe, Owen, Barcellos, and Renihan have been like supportive companions, with Renihan's work in particular getting to the heart of the matter. I sincerely hope that you will also find the portrayal of Christ in this book as inspiring and enlightening as I have.
Author: Samuel Renihan is pastor of Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in La Mirada, California, and serves as an adjunct professor at International Reformed Baptist Seminary. Sam has authored various books on covenant theology, Baptist history, and the doctrine of God, in English and Spanish, such as The Mystery of Christ, His Covenant, and His Kingdom, Deity & Decree, and Crux, Mors, Inferi: A Primer and Reader on the Descent of Christ.
Content: Renihan, a pastor and scholar with a gift for explaining complex theology, takes readers through the Bible’s covenants: from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and finally to the New Covenant in Christ. His big idea is that these covenants aren’t just random, disconnected promises—they’re a unified storyline that reveals God’s plan to redeem His people through Jesus. The book explores how each covenant builds on the last, culminating in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, which establishes His kingdom and fulfills God’s promises. This book stands out with a focus on “1689 Federalism,” a Baptist take on covenant theology. Unlike some other views, it emphasizes that the Old Testament covenants were temporary and pointed to Christ, who brings the ultimate covenant of grace. Don’t worry if that sounds heavy—Renihan breaks it down with clear explanations and plenty of Scripture. Renihan’s emphasis on the Christ-centered nature of the covenants is both devotionally rich and intellectually rigorous, offering a fresh perspective that distinguishes Baptist Covenant Theology from other Reformed views. This book is the answer to the accidental Baptist, there is no longer a reason for not understanding the deep, theologically consistent, and historical Baptist covenantal history.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Christians wanting to understand the Bible’s storyline and how it points to Jesus.
- Baptists curious about their theological roots, especially “1689 Federalism.”
- Pastors or Bible study leaders looking for a solid resource on covenant theology.
- Anyone who loves theology and wants a book that’s both deep and devotional.
Recommendation: * Reihan’s work in covenant functions like the picture on the front of a puzzle box, without it you could still put the pieces together, it just gets so much easier if you understand what you’re making. Clear writing, a Scripture-soaked approach, and passion for Christ make this a book that informs your mind and stirs your heart.
Always remember:
“Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.”
- Charles Spurgeon
In Christ,
Ryan Milne
Author: Samuel Renihan is pastor of Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in La Mirada, California, and serves as an adjunct professor at International Reformed Baptist Seminary. Sam has authored various books on covenant theology, Baptist history, and the doctrine of God, in English and Spanish, such as The Mystery of Christ, His Covenant, and His Kingdom, Deity & Decree, and Crux, Mors, Inferi: A Primer and Reader on the Descent of Christ.
Content: Renihan, a pastor and scholar with a gift for explaining complex theology, takes readers through the Bible’s covenants: from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and finally to the New Covenant in Christ. His big idea is that these covenants aren’t just random, disconnected promises—they’re a unified storyline that reveals God’s plan to redeem His people through Jesus. The book explores how each covenant builds on the last, culminating in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, which establishes His kingdom and fulfills God’s promises. This book stands out with a focus on “1689 Federalism,” a Baptist take on covenant theology. Unlike some other views, it emphasizes that the Old Testament covenants were temporary and pointed to Christ, who brings the ultimate covenant of grace. Don’t worry if that sounds heavy—Renihan breaks it down with clear explanations and plenty of Scripture. Renihan’s emphasis on the Christ-centered nature of the covenants is both devotionally rich and intellectually rigorous, offering a fresh perspective that distinguishes Baptist Covenant Theology from other Reformed views. This book is the answer to the accidental Baptist, there is no longer a reason for not understanding the deep, theologically consistent, and historical Baptist covenantal history.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Christians wanting to understand the Bible’s storyline and how it points to Jesus.
- Baptists curious about their theological roots, especially “1689 Federalism.”
- Pastors or Bible study leaders looking for a solid resource on covenant theology.
- Anyone who loves theology and wants a book that’s both deep and devotional.
Recommendation: * Reihan’s work in covenant functions like the picture on the front of a puzzle box, without it you could still put the pieces together, it just gets so much easier if you understand what you’re making. Clear writing, a Scripture-soaked approach, and passion for Christ make this a book that informs your mind and stirs your heart.
Always remember:
“Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.”
- Charles Spurgeon
In Christ,
Ryan Milne
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