This book on the revelation of God is part of the Contours of Christian Theology series. Having used and been impressed with some others in this series, I looked forward to checking this one out. As with others in the series, it was a good mixture of going deeply into the subject while being written in an accessible manner. Even the systematic theologies I read do not go into the foundational subject of the revelation of God in their presentation of the doctrine of the Scriptures with near the thoroughness that this volume does. Though I can’t agree with all his conclusions, he gives you much to think about.

The author, Peter Jensen, believes the gospel is central to the idea of revelation from God. His first chapter makes a beautiful case for that fact. In chapter 2 he clarifies the nature of the gospel. In chapter 3 he explains the role the gospel plays in our grasping the knowledge of God. In the next chapter, where he explains the gospel as a pattern of revelation, he concludes that the gospel is the measure of all revelation. He makes a great case for his premise.

In chapters 5 and 6, he transitions to revelation and experience. In other words, he defines the essential revelation that we must grasp in the gospel. In chapter 7, he finally reaches the subject you would expect when analyzing this doctrine: the authority of Scripture. It is in this chapter that he explains the concept of inspiration. He takes a strong, conservative position and shares much great food for thought. The final chapters address our reading Scripture, the role of the Holy Spirit, and contemporary revelation.

This book taught me. It expanded my horizons and I was blessed by what I learned. I warmly recommend this book!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Message of the Word of God by Tim Meadowcroft in the prolific Bible Speaks Today (BST) series tackles the doctrine of the Bible. My interaction with this series has led me to believe that the editors give each author wide latitude in how they approach their subject, particularly in these ones about doctrinal subjects. The author here takes the unique approach of exegeting 20 key scriptures on the subject. At first, I thought that an odd approach, but after reflecting on it I realize that that’s probably how many pastors would teach it over the years. For that reason, then, this volume stands out among the plethora of books on the subject.

His choice of texts was ideal including both the usual suspects and a few you might not have thought of. He divides them up into four parts: God speaks, God speaks in the written word, God speaks in Christ, and God speaks today. In my judgment, a few that particularly stood out were Proverbs 30, 2 Peter 1, Hebrews 1, Revelation 5, and Nehemiah 8. In addition, his short chapter on the key 2 Timothy 3: 10-17 passage was insightful.

Only in a few cases did he seem to bog down into some scholarly observations like you might find in a detailed exegetical commentary. They seemed out of place in this volume, but maybe they only seemed worse to me when I didn’t agree with them!

Pastors and Bible students will be blessed by this book. As said before, it will be unlike most others on your shelves on the subject. That unique approach allows it to make a distinct contribution. Worth adding to your library.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Message of the Person of Christ by Robert Letham

This book by Robert Letham on the message and Person of Christ is in the well -received Bible Speaks Today (BST) series edited by Derek Tidball. I found the book to be pitched at just the right level for the aims of this series and helpful for Christians new and old. It was thoroughly accessible and even included a nice study guide at the end.

There’s 24 chapters in five sections entitled Christ promised, Christ incarnate, Christ crucified, Christ risen, and Christ ascended. The book begins with a quite lengthy bibliography followed by a short introduction of what the author hopes to accomplish in this book. There’s also a prologue explaining man as being in the image of God.

The section on “Christ promised” explains Christ as the offspring of the woman, and then tackles the important subjects of Jesus being of the seed of Abraham and the son of David. Further, he sees Jesus as King as related to us in the Old Testament, followed by two chapters that cover the Servant of the Lord passages in the Book of Isaiah that are about Jesus Christ.

In the next section, the author begins by describing the birth of Christ. I would have expected a lengthier section on the Virgin Birth of Christ, but what we have is very good here. Jesus is followed through His ministry and His humanity before we finally come to the deity of Christ in chapters 11 through 14. There’s much to learn here.

The balance of the book from various angles covers the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. The author relates many wonderful thoughts here. In fact, I’d call this a great overview. There is an appendix studying church history on this important doctrine.

This book is the perfect first in-depth book to study on the doctrine of Christ for any Christian. I warmly recommend it.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

The Person of Christ by Donald MacLeod

Here’s the book on the doctrine of Christ you need if you really want to dig deep, both about the doctrine itself and its historical development. Frankly, it taught me so much. It’s part of the respected Contours of Christian Theology series edited by Gerald Bray and published by IVP.

I thought the author’s approach was unique and ideal. He took most of the main concepts of the doctrine and traced the debate that formalized them in church history. In fact, he took these concepts in the order that they were debated. Along the way, he fully explained each doctrine, the viewpoints that fall short of an accurate Christology, and a wonderful definition of some of the more obscure theological terms. Though he covered concepts that are barely mentioned in many theological works, I found him easy-to-read and follow. In short, I loved this book.

He divides the book into two sections. Part one goes from the Gospels to Nicea, which he calls “very God of very God” and traces out the deity of Christ. In this section, he will cover the virgin birth, the preexistence of Christ, Christ as the Son of God, and the Jesus of history and the faith.  Those last two chapters of that section I found to be profound and so helpful to me.

Part two goes from Chalcedon on through most major theological questions on the doctrine of Christ, which he calls “very God, very man”. In this section, he discussed the Incarnation, the fact of Jesus being perfect both as God and man. He beautifully explained the Kenosis of Christ, as well as the sinlessness of Christ. I have several pages with a multitude of underlined sentences that were greatly illuminating for me.

I wouldn’t necessarily call this the first book to pick up if you were studying the doctrine of Christ, especially if it was your first time to do so; but if you really want to dig out this doctrine, you cannot pass by this great book. I’ll put it in the must-by category for sure!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.