Christ and the Condition: The Covenant Theology of Samuel Petto (1624-1711)

Covenant theology is the “warp and woof” of Reformed theology, and its development was most seriously worked out during the seventeenth century. In Christ and the Condition, Michael Brown introduces us to an influential Puritan pastor who, though now largely forgotten, was a significant contributor to the covenantal debates of his day. Brown analyzes the covenantal thought of Samuel Petto and reveals a diversity of thought among the Puritans, especially concerning the Mosaic covenant. Brown’s assessment places Petto in the context of the covenantal debates and also demonstrated the implications of covenantal thought on the doctrine of justification.

Endorsement

“It’s always a pleasure to meet another great exponent of classic Reformed theology. Petto is someone I should have known, but didn’t until Michael Brown introduced him to me. The issues Petto raises—and the context that Brown provides—greatly enrich our own conversations about the twin dangers of antinomianism and neo-nomianism in our own day.”
—Michael Horton

Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction

1. A Puritan Pastor-Theologian: Petto in Context
2. Petto’s Covenant Schema
3. The Mosaic Covenant in Reformed Theology
4. Petto on the Mosaic Covenant
5. Implications for Justification

Conclusion
Bibliography