The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament

By Edmund P. Clowney

Book Overview

It began as a dismal journey. They were so busy commiserating, His approach almost went unnoticed. Little did they realize that what they'd hear over the next 7 miles would completely change their... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0875521746
• ISBN13: 9780875521749
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Presbyterian & Reformed Pub Co
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 0.8" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

A great explanation of the importance of the Old Testament

It is a difficult thing for many modern Christians to even see the relevance of the Old Testament to their daily Christian life. There are a variety of reasons for this. Biblical higher criticism has rendered a lot of doubts about the veracity of the Old Testament narrative. The way, especially modern, Western individuals learn is a lot more didactic and rote learning than following a narrative. Perhaps the biggest reason why the relevance of the Old Testament is outside the scope of a lot of Christians is that they struggle to integrate what they know of Christ with many of the narrative stories of Israel and ancient near east. Edmund Clowney, a former professor and President of Westminster Theological Seminary has attempted to assist the average Christian to see the relevance and vital importance of the Old Testament in even understanding who Christ is and what he is about, and why that is relevant to the daily lives of today's Christian. In short, Clowney is attempting in this book of just less than 200 pages, to show how what is known as Covenant theology, is fleshed out in the narrative of events that took place thousands of years ago. In relatively short chapters, Clowney tells of the stories of the creation, the fall of man, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, and David. The starting off point for Clowney's narrative is that Jesus himself used these stories to tell others who he is and what he is about throughout his earthly ministry. A strength of a good theologian is his ability to take ancient stories from other places and cultures, place them in the context of what Jesus was saying about himself, and then to coherently and simply sum them up for the use and teaching of modern people. Clowney writes clearly and with a desire to not only teach knowledge, but to encourage and strengthen the faith of modern Christians in integrating what God has been saying about himself for centuries, and including today's believers as a part of that narrative. This is a fine effort at explaining what especially the Old Testament history is trying to say, and its relevance to Christian teaching, particularly through the lens of Covenant theology, though that term is never used in this book. The writing is quite well done and it is not too complex, which may be a relief for a Christian who wants to open up more of the Bible, but has not the background for that. This book is recommend, for its purposes, without any reservation.

Wonderful book!

This was a fantastic book! It did a great job of showing how God's promise of redemption in Christ was pointed to over and over again throughout the Old Testament. I thought that it really painted a wonderful picture of the coherence of God's word and the constancy of His purpose, which cannot be thwarted. It gives a great outline of some of what Jesus might have said to the disciples while on the road to Emmaeus ("Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself."--Lk 24:2) and what Philip caught a glimpse of and wanted to share with Nathaniel ("We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."--Jn 1:45). I highly recommend it.