Book rediscovers biblical, historic covenants
In the name of God, Amen.: Rediscovering Biblical and Historical Covenants by Daniel Ford. (Lex Rex Publishing, 2003) $20.
Fellow St. Louis resident Daniel J. Ford has compiled historical documents, illustrations, and a mountain of quotations and biographical references in a book designed to help people “rediscover biblical and historical covenants”.
“Covenants?” many would ask. What are they and why do we need a book about them?
This lack of understanding is the impulse behind the writing and the compilation of the book. Ford believes the lack of knowledge and misunderstanding of the covenantal nature of family, church and government is a great loss to our civilization.
Doug Phillips writes in the foreword, “There is no subject more directly connected with the prosperity of the Christian home, the integrity of the local church, or the success of national governments than that of the covenantal nature of life, law and the relationships. The Bible begins and ends with the doctrine of covenant.
You are not likely to find this book on the shelves of your local bookstore. As far as I know, this is the only book published so far by Lex Rex Publishing. However, this labor of love for author Dan Ford has received good promotion from Doug Phillips of Vision Forum Ministries.
The book is “three books in one” in that there are three distinct sections. The first section is a sweeping overview of “Christianity’s Covenantal Inheritance”, showing the importance understanding covenant as a major unifying theme within both testaments of Scripture. Ford leads us from the creation of man, God’s relationship with the patriarchs and the giving of the Ten Commandments to the person and work of Christ and the covenant community of the church. This is a wonderful study of the covenantal nature of God’s relationship with mankind.
The second section shows “America’s Covenantal Inheritance” by taking us on a history lesson through the 16th and 17th centuries. Ford provides a fascinating parade of historical anecdotes, biographical sketches and primary document illustrations in showing that the foundations of our American governmental system is one grounded in an understanding of covenants.
The third section fleshes out “Historic Covenantal Living” by showing how the idea of covenant has led people in the past to shape their lives, families, churches and civic responsibilities. He leads the reader to see “Faith and Obedience under Grace and Biblical Law” in each of these spheres.
I have read slowly through this book since receiving it as a birthday present from my sister a year ago. It is a unique book in both content and style. The layout and endless number of illustrations, many of them sketched by the author himself, are of excellent quality. Combining history, law and theology into a powerful thesis, Ford’s work will go a long way in helping people “rediscover biblical and historic covenants”. (Scott Lamb is one of the founding pastors of Providence Baptist Church, St. Louis, and is a regular book reviewer for The Pathway. To respond to this review or to read about other books, visit www.AChristianManifesto.com.)