Is the Bible a mere library, a collection of books written by different authors on diverse topics? Or does it have an inherent unity? And if so, how do you relate its apparently disparate parts? For Adam and Eve, a single sin brought banishment from God’s presence; yet, the worst of all sinners found fellowship with Christ. Wickedness in the world brought the great Flood, whereas the subsequent heights of mankind’s sin have provoked no such judgment. How do we account for the diversity of the experiences of God’s people at the time of Abraham (pilgrimage), under the Law of Moses (theocracy), and post-Christ (pilgrimage)? What gives?!
The ancient names given to the two parts of the Christian Bible give us the answer; the concept of “testament” (Latin: testamentum), or its synonym “covenant”, brings unity to the Bible’s diversity, harmony to its differing notes. Keep up with this series (and invite others to do so, too) as we consider God’s covenants and why they give us the framework for understanding the Bible’s unfolding story of salvation.