Professor Martens has offered an original thesis, giving insightful exploration of four fundamental themes which weave throughout the history of biblical covenants. In short, that God rescues, then forms a community of rescued into a relationship wherein it can know him and grow spiritually within safe borders. More emphasis is perhaps placed on individual growth within the new covenant community. Coordinating to its fourfold theme, the book manages to give excellent insight into many sections of the Bible, utilizing much academic research. The first edition (as either Plot & Purpose, or God's Design) basically began with Exodus. The second edition (God's Design) began with Genesis, and includes a wide lens on pre-messianic salvation within the general global population; even more goodies than in the earlier bag. The Hill of Zion yields a thousand sacred sweets. The perspective is basically conservative, evangelical, & ecumenical. It perhaps offers most to those at a mid-level in theology.
