Isaac Levi is one of the preeminent philosophers in the areas of pragmatic rationality and epistemology. This collection of essays constitutes an important presentation of his original and influential ideas about rational choice and belief. A wide range of topics is covered, including consequentialism and sequential choice, consensus, voluntarism of belief, and the tolerance of the opinions of others. The essays elaborate on the idea that principles of rationality are norms that regulate the coherence of our beliefs and values with our rational choices. The norms impose minimal constraints on deliberation and inquiry, but they also impose demands well beyond the capacities of deliberating agents. This major collection will be eagerly sought out by a wide range of philosophers in epistemology, logic, and philosophy of science, as well as economists, decision theorists, and statisticians.

Why does God speak to human beings? Is it to impart information? Is it to unveil the secret of His Being? Is it to pronounce judgment? When we probe deeply into these questions, the author contends, we find that God does not speak to mortals simply to satisfy their curiosity or sense of guilt. He speaks to his people in order to establish with them a personal, covenantal relationship. God reassures them, He claims them for Himself, He gives Himself to humankind, He holds on to them as a Father to an unruly child. The covenant as a theological category opens up the whole aspect of human destiny and puts mortals and creation in a new perspective. This doctrine is so fundamental to theological reasoning, the author argues, that we may describe it as the axiom of biblical faith. From this axiom he goes on to define such other biblical themes and doctrines as the relation between evil and sin; the Òplan,Ó meaning, and time of salvation; the fall, the cross, and the sacraments; the covenant as creation and as revelation; history as a moral testing ground; Christ as the End of time; and the new age.

As a theologian in the Reformed tradition, covenant theology was for Jonathan Edwards the internal scaffolding that gave shape to the biblical story of redemption. The establishment of the eternal rule of righteousness as the basis of the believer’s communion with God and eternal happiness is a central theme beginning with the Covenant of Works, grounded in the eternal Covenant of Redemption, and culminating in the Covenant of Grace. It is the basis for the law-gospel distinction in Edwards and the early architects of federal theology. For the “God intoxicated” New England Puritan preacher, this was no dry academic exercise. Rather, it was a joyous and affectionate discovery and embrace of what God had ordained in eternity, what Christ accomplished in history on the cross, and what the Holy Spirit is doing and will complete in the church. This study grew out of current discussions in Reformed scholarship questioning aspects of traditional covenant theology. As a key transitional figure in the history of Reformed theology, Edwards’s thinking is still relevant. The richness and depth of Edwards’s vision of redemptive history provides a clear and comprehensive understanding of his Reformed soteriology and the role of evangelical obedience in justification.

Thomas Blake’s work is a master treatise on Covenant Theology. It follows the formula laid down in the Westminster Confession and demonstrates every aspect of biblical covenant theology from a systematic and well thought through argument. As it was said of John Owen’s “Death of Death in the Death of Christ” so it may be said of this work as well – Blake doth exhaust the argument. This is a tome of the highest caliber on a topic that is most needful to be understood by the Evangelical Church today – Covenant Theology and inclusion in the Covenant of God. This is not a scan or facsimile, has been updated in modern English for easy reading and has an active table of contents for electronic versions.