Covenant-Making: The Fabric of Relationship

This collection explores the central theological notion of covenant. It has been produced in honor of Dr. R. Larry Shelton respected scholar and beloved husband father colleague and friend. Covenant--the unifying theme of this book--is a subject to which Dr. Shelton devoted considerable attention over his forty-five-year career as a scholar and teacher. His 2006 book Cross and Covenant: Interpreting the Atonement for 21st Century Mission stands as one of the most incisive treatments of the atonement from a covenantal perspective. The contributors of this volume consist of Sheltons current colleagues at George Fox Evangelical Seminary those with whom he served in other institutions and friends and former students whose vision of covenant Shelton inspired. These writers demonstrate that whether one considers such diverse subject matter as atonement theory the churchs mission the discernment of (prophetic) spirits non-western ontologies soteriology biblical interpretation sanctification theodicy family life or theology proper ones understanding is deficient without giving due consideration to the role of covenant relationality. Covenant is not sadly common language anymore replaced by the courtroom rather than relationship. This gathering of writings in honor of Larry Sheltons lifes work on covenant is both academic and practical exploratory and focused. For me personally the chapter written by Randy S. Woodley alone is worth the price of ten admissions. --William Paul Young author of The Shack By definition a true masterpiece has no model. These original essays reveal a masterpiece--Larry Sheltons scholarship on the atonement and Larry Shelton himself who has a matchless gift for falling in not out with people. --Leonard Sweet author of Giving Blood This inspiring work is a fitting tribute to both a compassionate theologian and an outstanding example of a human being. Whether in his thoughtful work in the cross and covenant or his advocacy for the place of indigenous North Americans in the work of the academy Larry Sheltons voice has been a consistent call not simply to teach about Jesus but to live what he taught. --Terry LeBlanc Executive Director of the North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies (NAIITS) Charles J. Conniry Jr. is Vice President and Dean of George Fox Evangelical Seminary. He is the author of Soaring in the Spirit (2007). Laura K. Simmons is Professor of Christian Ministries at GFES. She is the author of Creed without Chaos: Exploring Theology in the Writings of Dorothy L. Sayers (2005).