God and Adam

God & Adam by Rowland S Ward

PLEASE NOTE: This book is only available through Tulip Publishing, and cannot be purchased through this page. Find further information on purchasing here.

Presbyterian and Reformed churches have always been interested in the covenant idea, first the covenant of grace in Christ, but also a covenant with Adam before sin, commonly called the covenant of works. But what the covenant of works really meant in the 17th century, when it became standard orthodoxy, is often very poorly understood today. That ignorance has contributed to modifications which are not always for the better.

I think that the structure of covenant theology as it developed in the 17th century was essentially on the right lines. More careful exegesis may refine that presentation, but should not lead to it being abandoned. The covenant of works/covenant of grace distinction is not an artificial one unwarranted by Scripture, but a proper distinction which clarifies and safeguards the heart of the Gospel in the saving union of the believer with Christ through faith. The impact of confusion or wrong thinking concerning God and Adam, will impact down the line in the understanding of salvation in Christ, the Last Adam.

First published in 2003 this book has been carefully revised 2019 chiefly to give more attention to Baptist Reformed views and the question of the Mosaic covenant. It includes recommendations from Ligon Duncan, Gary Millar, Carl R. Trueman, J.V.Fesko, John McClean,David Van Drunen, Jared Hood, W. Duncan Rankin, Peter Barnes, Richard Barcellos, Murray Smith and Martin Foord. It is published by Tulip Publishing of Sydney and can be ordered from UK, USA and Australian bookshops.