{"id":10934,"date":"2017-08-22T09:09:56","date_gmt":"2017-08-22T14:09:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/?p=10934"},"modified":"2017-08-22T09:09:56","modified_gmt":"2017-08-22T14:09:56","slug":"book-review-from-eden-to-the-new-jerusalem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/?p=10934","title":{"rendered":"Book Review: From Eden to the New Jerusalem"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"From_Eden_to_the_New_Jerusalem-_An_Introduction_to_Biblical_Theology\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Alexander, T. Desmond. From Eden to the New Jerusalem<\/a>. <\/i>Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2008.<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy does the earth exist? What is the purpose of human life?\u00a0 Arrogant as it may seem, this short book attempts to answer both of these questions.\u00a0 It does so by exploring a unique story\u201d (9). In his work, From Eden to the New Jerusalem<\/i>, T. Desmond Alexander jumps right in by asking two of the biggest questions that humans have wrestled with for centuries.\u00a0 These two questions become the foundation of building a biblical worldview.\u00a0 Alexander\u2019s work gives us a fresh look at the beautiful plan of God\u2019s creation by starting at the end of the story.\u00a0 His commitment to helping the reader look in the rearview mirror while also viewing the story through the windshield allows us to experience the metanarrative of creation through the new creation via the lens of reading Revelation by starting in Genesis.<\/p>\n

Alexander\u2019s text is rooted in both Scripture and solid biblical theology.\u00a0 He is a senior lecturer in biblical studies at Union Theological College in Ireland and has been on staff at the Queen\u2019s University in Belfast as well while helping shape the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. His thesis in this work is to help the reader understand why the earth exists and the role that human beings play in that story.\u00a0 My goal is always to explore ways to help both the believer and unbeliever become more familiar with Scripture in a way that causes them to either grow in their relationship with Christ or to fall in love with the gospel for the very first time.\u00a0 I believe that Alexander achieves both of those goals through this work as it is both scholarly and enjoyable to read.\u00ad\u00a0 The book would be a wonderful tool in the hand of a seminarian as well as enlightening for a skeptic attempting to connect the dots of Creation.<\/p>\n

Summary<\/b><\/p>\n

In order to thoroughly expose the reader to the meta-story of creation, Alexander explores 6 major themes.\u00a0 He spends the majority of his writing on the theme of God\u2019s presence on Earth beginning in chapter 2 and lasting for 61 pages.\u00a0 His purpose in this chapter is to help the reader see the similarities between the Garden of Eden, the tabernacle, and the new city described in Revelation (21).\u00a0 Ephesians 2:19-22 points to Christ Jesus as the Cornerstone for the house of God that was \u201cbuilt on the foundation of apostles and prophets.\u201d\u00a0 This theme starts with the perfect Creation of the Garden of Eden, carries through the attempt at the tower of Babel, the building of the tabernacle, the destruction of the walls of Jerusalem, to the coming of Christ, and the looking forward to the new city of Jerusalem.\u00a0 By understanding the presence of God and His faithfulness throughout the entire narrative of Scripture, we are able to see both His sovereignty and His provision.<\/p>\n

Chapter 3 leads us to a discussion of kingship.\u00a0 Now that a foundation has been laid for God as Creator, we are able to build on the introductory questions that Alexander offered by adding \u201cHow will God\u2019s kingdom be established throughout the world?\u00a0 How will his throne be set up in the holy garden-city that is to fill the earth?\u00a0 How will human beings be rescued from the control of the enemy and be enabled to fulfill the purpose for which God created them?\u201d (79).\u00a0 Reading through the book of Daniel, known for it\u2019s prophecy as well as the hope that we have in the Lord, we are reminded in Daniel 2 and 7 that Christians look forward to the day when divine kingdoms replace the earthly kingdoms that will wear out and not stand the test of time (89).<\/p>\n

Continuing on through the themes of creation, we encounter Genesis 3:1 \u201cNow the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made\u201d (102).\u00a0 This introduces us to Chapter 4 and the discussion of dealing with conflict through the person of the devil or Satan.\u00a0 In order to fully appreciate the story of Creation and to understand the gospel itself, the reader must have an understanding of evil and what it means to be separated from God as a result of that evil.\u00a0 Studying Romans 5:8, \u201cBut God demonstrated His love for us in this, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us\u201d is a sweet truth in and of itself, but it is so much sweeter in light of an understanding of Genesis 3 and what the fall really meant as far as putting humanity in conflict with our loving Heavenly Father that Created us.\u00a0 By studying Creation from the perspective of Revelation, the reader has a chance to look forward to the triumph of Jesus over evil, death, hell, and the grave.\u00a0 Christians should take great hope in the truth of Revelation 21:4 \u201cHe will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.\u201d (ESV).<\/p>\n

2 Corinthians 5:21 reminds us, \u201cFor our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him, we might become the righteousness of God.\u201d (ESV).\u00a0 Chapter 5 introduces the reader to the Cross and the picture of Jesus as the sacrificial lamb who was sent for the redemption of Creation.\u00a0 There is great relief in the comprehension that \u201cour hope rests not on what we can do to please God, but rather on what the Lamb has done for us\u201d (136).\u00a0\u00a0 The Passover is explained thoroughly in this chapter to help the reader see the sacrifice made on behalf of humanity.<\/p>\n

Chapter 6 continues with good news as Alexander explores holiness and what it means to be restored into a right relationship with God. \u201cCentral to the redemptive activity of God is the cross of Christ, for through it Satan is defeated and human beings are enabled to regain the holy, royal status Adam and Eve lost\u201d (138).\u00a0 This chapter is spent talking about wholeness in restoration to God through the sacrifice of His son while explaining further some of the intricacies of Old Testament law regarding the status of being clean or unclean.\u00a0 He also addresses the picture in Revelation where the nations will be restored as the people of God finally shedding the dividing lines that our culture has created.<\/p>\n

The final theme Alexander addresses is community in the New Jerusalem.\u00a0 Chapter 6 helps the reader understand the idea of what it will look like to live amongst the people of God in the way that He originally intended.\u00a0 When God puts all things back together in the new city that we read about in Revelation, His people will be gathered to spend eternity worshipping our Savior.<\/p>\n

Critique<\/b><\/p>\n

Alexander\u2019s thesis claims that he will address the major questions of life.\u00a0 He does a remarkable job weaving together a narrative that reads much like something you might expect from C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien.\u00a0 In fact, this book might make for a good movie!\u00a0 Alexander\u2019s vivid word pictures and clear connections to Scripture make this book a great resource for pastors and Bible scholars as well as an interesting read for something that is interested in learning more about Christianity.\u00a0 His creativity captivates the reader in a way that encourages page turning, both forwards and backwards as he investigates the metanarrative of the biblical account of creation from Revelation looking back and Genesis looking forward.<\/p>\n

One suggestion as this book will likely have further editions would be to more evenly distribute the information in the book.\u00a0 Based on the hundreds of footnotes and equally as much Scripture, it is clear that Alexander has thoroughly researched his material.\u00a0 It is so easy to get bogged down in Chapter 2 which encompasses 61 pages of the 192 page book.\u00a0 Obviously the presence of God is an important theme, but it might be more reader friendly to consider breaking the chapter up into smaller readings or redistributing some of the material.<\/p>\n

As you consider the possible reading audience of this book, the one drawback to offering it for non-believers would be the fact that there is not a lot in the book that directly points to Jesus or clearly conveys the gospel.\u00a0 There is a lot that is alluded to in regards to both the Cross and the \u201csacrificial Lamb\u201d particularly in chapter 5, but not a lot of specifics directing a person clearly to the person of Jesus Christ.\u00a0 Could this book stand alone as a way to point someone to the gospel?\u00a0 Probably not, but through Alexander\u2019s keen use of storytelling, our hope would be that the book would leave a non-believer wanting to learn more and choosing to study even beyond this text.\u00a0 If they took the time to more fully consider any of the works listed in the footnotes or to specifically read the Scripture, they would definitely find their way to the gospel and to the person of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

In his focus on making the connection between the Garden of Eden and the New Jerusalem, Alexander seems to have chosen not to include discussion about heaven.\u00a0 While this book addresses what believers have to look forward to in the future, he doesn\u2019t engage the conversation about what happens to believers who die now before the formation of the new city that we read about in Revelation.\u00a0 The hope we have in Christ as it relates to eternal life considers the present time as well as the time to come.\u00a0 It\u2019s the theological basis of the \u201calready, but not yet\u201d that we consider in a variety of situations related to the gospel and our time both here on earth, in heaven before the Second Coming, and in the new city described in Revelation.<\/p>\n

One of the most outstanding qualities of this book is the way that that Alexander uses the art of questioning to make connections.\u00a0 He addresses so many of the big questions of life that are contemplated by believers and non-believers alike.\u00a0 By addressing those questions and making their pursuit one of the main focuses of the book, he is able to draw the reader in and keep them reading to find out more.\u00a0 The questions he poses are those that every human should be asking in order to form their worldview and inform their decision-making and relationship building as they go throughout their life.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/b><\/p>\n

In From Eden to the New Jerusalem<\/i>, T. Desmond Alexander aims to help the reader understand why the earth exists and the role that human beings play in that story. My goal in reading this work is to help add to my toolbox of resources that I can use to help believers grow in their faith and non-believers begin their journey to follow Christ and for both groups to be encouraged to ultimately spend their life for the sake of the gospel.\u00a0 Alexander\u2019s book reads like a magnificent story that takes us on a tour of history connecting the dots of creation.\u00a0 He answers many questions that the reader might have while inspiring further questions inviting the reader to dive more deeply into God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne day this present age will give way to another, when the earth will be rejuvenated and the sovereignty of God will finally become an undisputed reality in the New Jerusalem.\u00a0 Until then, we are taught by Jesus to pray: \u2018Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.\u00a0 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven\u2019\u201d (97). \u00a0\u00a0Until the day that we see the Lord face to face and take up our eternal residence in the holy city, may we keep our mind\u2019s attention and our heart\u2019s affection focused on following Christ and living out the gospel in all that we say and do.\u00a0 We will see the glory of the Lord in His holy dwelling as we live together in gospel community with the nations.<\/p>\n

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Alexander, T. Desmond. From Eden to the New Jerusalem. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2008. Introduction \u201cWhy does the earth exist? What is the purpose of human life?\u00a0 Arrogant as it may seem, this short book attempts to answer both of these questions.\u00a0 It does so by exploring a unique story\u201d (9). In his work, From Eden […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,14,25,17,15,34],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10934","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible-study","category-book-review","category-education","category-leadership","category-seminary","category-truth"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10934","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10934"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10934\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10934"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10934"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10934"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}