Biblical Studies
Understanding Biblical Covenants
Trace the major covenants of Scripture and learn how promise, law, kingship, redemption, and fulfillment shape the unity of the biblical story.
Course Overview
Understanding Biblical Covenants explores the covenantal relationships that shape the biblical story and provide a vital framework for understanding God’s dealings with humanity, Israel, the Church, and creation. Rather than treating covenants as isolated agreements or merely technical theological categories, this course presents them as central structures within Scripture’s unfolding account of divine faithfulness, human responsibility, judgment, and redemption.
Learners will examine the major covenants associated with Noah, Abraham, Israel at Sinai, David, and the promise of a new covenant, while also considering related themes such as creation, Adam, priesthood, land, kingship, law, sacrifice, and covenant renewal.
The course introduces the historical and literary settings in which covenant language appears and helps students recognize how covenant concepts function within the broader world of the ancient Near East while remaining distinctively biblical in their theological claims. Attention will be given to covenant signs, blessings, obligations, sanctions, and the ways later biblical writers interpret and develop earlier covenant promises.
Designed for serious independent learners, this course encourages careful study of the relationships among the Old Testament covenants and the New Testament witness to Jesus Christ. Students will trace themes of promise, kingdom, inheritance, divine presence, and redemption across the canon. Particular attention will be given to the Last Supper, the new covenant, Paul’s discussions of Abraham and the law, and the theological significance of Hebrews for understanding continuity and fulfillment within Scripture.
Learners will also encounter major Christian approaches to covenant theology, dispensationalism, and related interpretive frameworks, with an emphasis on understanding differing positions fairly and evaluating them through careful engagement with Scripture. By the end of the course, students will have a stronger framework for tracing covenant themes across the Bible, interpreting key passages in their historical and canonical contexts, and recognizing how biblical covenants contribute to the unity of Scripture and the coherence of Christian doctrine.
What You Will Study
- The biblical foundations of the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and new covenants
- The role of covenant in creation, kingship, priesthood, land, law, and sacrifice
- How covenant signs, blessings, and obligations function in Scripture
- The development of promise and fulfillment from Genesis to Revelation
- New Testament reflection on covenant in the Gospels, Paul, and Hebrews
- Major interpretive frameworks for understanding Israel, the Church, law, and grace
This course provides essential preparation for deeper study in biblical theology, systematic theology, Old Testament studies, New Testament studies, and Christian doctrine. It equips learners to evaluate theological claims concerning Israel and the Church, promise and fulfillment, and the relationship between the biblical testaments with greater care and clarity.
Why This Course Matters
Understanding covenant is essential for seeing how the Bible holds together as one story of God’s faithful purposes and redemptive work.
By the end of the course, learners will be better equipped to interpret key covenant passages responsibly, connect theological themes across the canon, and understand why covenant remains one of the most important threads in Christian biblical interpretation.