A Brief Book Summary from Books At a Glance
by Kirsten Birkett
About the Author
Dr. Edmund P. Clowney (1917-2005) was a pastor, professor, and theologian. After pastoring churches in Connecticut, Illinois, and New Jersey, he taught practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, and became the seminary’s first president (1966–1982). He served as theologian-in-residence at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, and at Christ the King Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas, and adjunct professor of practical theology at Westminster Seminary California.
Contents
Introduction
1. The New Man
2. The Son of the Woman
3. The Son of Abraham
4. The Heir of the Promise
5. The Lord and His Servant
6. The Rock of Moses
7. The Lord’s Anointed
8. The Prince of Peace
9. The Lord to Come
General Summary
A lyrically-written biblical theology, telling in multiple ways how the typology of the Old Testament explains and is fulfilled in Christ. A combination of story-telling with theological explanation.
Introduction
The story of Jesus starts not in Bethlehem but, Luke tells us, in Adam; or, John tells us, before creation. It is the story of God’s saving work. God made promises, and we see his people rejoicing in them or struggling to trust them, but the real story is not of the people but God’s plan. The Old Testament gives us types that foreshadow New Testament fulfilment, and we must know them. This book follows the line of the plot.
Chapter 1: The New Man
God identified himself on Mt Sinai as the God of Israel, and of all creation. To know their calling, Israel had to know the stories gone before. Adam and Eve were creatures in his likeness, mediating between the Creator and the created world, and humans continued in God’s image after the fall. Adam receives command and promise, and as head of creation was given a new role of headship of a marriage. Adam prepares us for Christ, who will be true head over humanity, true image-bearer and son. Israel will be told not to make images of God because it is for God to reveal himself, and he does so in the Son. Christ also fulfills marriage in his relationship to the Church. Israel’s command against adultery reflects God’s jealousy for his people. Israel will commit spiritual adultery (e.g., in Solomon); but right marriage reflects the purity of God’s personal love. Jesus was zealous for God, and that love in him claims the church as his bride. Christ is tested in the wilderness, not to teach us to withstand temptation, but to demonstrate his true sonship as Adam did not. Jesus trusts the word of God in the three temptations, as Israel did not in the wilderness. Jesus displays his authority as he commands Satan to depart. . . .
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