The Unity of the Bible by Daniel P Fuller (review)
by Wyatt Houtz   July 31, 2009 5:36pm v.6 Rating: Status: Hidden

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I highly recommend reading The Unity of the Bible by Daniel P. Fuller, not only because it is #2 of John Piper's recommend reading list, but because Fuller successfully applies a unified continuum of the Covenant of Grace across the entire bible. Covenant Theology traditionally teaches that man was under a Covenant of Works until the Fall and then operated under a Covenant of Grace after the Fall, but Daniel Fuller has challenged that theory suggesting that there has only been one way to be saved, and that has always been through the Covenant of Grace, and therefore has never been a Covenant of Works. The Unity of the Bible addresses each of the Covenantal Epocs in the bible, and then corrects the traditional Covenantly Theology's interpretations. Daniel Fuller's Gospel Continuum has drawn attacks by famous theologians such as Westerminster's Meredith Kline, so you know this has to be a good book! (I've discussed Kline vs Fuller in the past.) This is the second book that I've ready by Fuller. The first one that I read was "Gospel & Law: Contrast or Continuum?". You can read what I wrote about it here. I also skimmed through Fuller's Hermeneutics, which isn't a book, but a hardbound copy of his hand written course notes. The Unity of the Bible is the application of Fuller's Gospel Law Continuum. The first book is a crushing blow to dispensationalism that accuses that system as providing two ways which a person may be saved, but the Unity of the Bible is primarily attacking Calvin's Institutes and Calvin's proto-Covenantal Theology that the reformation was built upon. Overall, I admit that I prefer Calvin, since I've actually read his Institutes directly, but I do admire Fuller's attempts to establish his theory. I will have to think more about this important issue. Law vs Grace will never end. On the whole, I agree with Fuller's interpretation, but his reevaluation of Galatians 3:15-24 still has some kinks. The bulk of Fuller's argument rests on proving that Grace and Works are not opposites, and that Law was never about fulfilling works but pursuing works in faith. He believes that the bible only indicts individuals who purse the Law as if it were by Works and not by Grace/Faith, and there is the genesis of the false dichotomy between Grace and Law. Here's what John Piper had to say about Daniel Fuller: "#2. a. Hermeneutics by Daniel Fuller (unpublished) #2b. The Unity of the Bible by Daniel Fuller (Zondervan, 1991) The influence of these two books is indistinguishable from the influence of Dr.. Fuller as a living teacher. Through these two books and his teaching I found my way into a method of biblical theology which has been immeasurably fruitful both in the scholarly and spiritual dimensions of my life. He taught me the importance of seeing what is there, the importance of asking hard questions, the importance of seeking unity in theology and the importance of a Spirit-given, docile, humility before the text of Scripture."~ John Piper I have about 30 pages left to read, as well as an appendix on Galatians 3, so I still have time to change my mind. If you have ever wondered if man has always been saved by grace and never by works, then you will love this book.   Last Update: July 31, 2009 5:44pm Tags: The Unity of the Bible, Daniel P. Fuller, John Piper, John Calvin, Institutes, Covenant Theology, Covenant of Works, Covenant of Grace

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Comments: #1 August 1, 2009 11:56amwyatt houtz #2 January 10, 2011 10:45pm Hi, I am trying to locate a copy of Daniel Fuller's unpublished syllabus for his hermeneutics course, and they are no longer printed through the Fuller Seminary bookstore. Can you help me? Thanks, Ben Benjamin Holvey #3 February 12, 2011 10:41am Hello Benjamin, I have scanned a number of Dan Fuller's documents including his hermeneutics syllabus. Please contact me for more info. Jim James McClain #4 February 12, 2011 10:42am PRIVATE MESSAGE YOU MUST LOGIN TO VIEW THIS MESSAGE James McClain #5 July 10, 2011 4:43am PRIVATE MESSAGE YOU MUST LOGIN TO VIEW THIS MESSAGE Yossy Perth #6 November 1, 2011 8:39pm Jim, I too, would like to read Hermeneutics by Daniel Fuller. that's what brought me to your page! Is it possible to get a copy of your scanned version emailed to me as well? With warm thanks, Robben Robben Sprague #7 November 9, 2011 7:48pm Hi, I was scanning the web to see if I could find an e version of Hermeneutics by Daniel Fuller and ended on your page. As previous readers I would very much appreciate if you could email me your scanned version. Sincerley, Julia Chatellier Chatellier Julia Melbourne, Australia Add a comment: Name: Email: WWW: AIM: Location: Comment: PublicPrivate