Brenda Monroe Moten
S519306
Advanced Old Testament Survey
August 28, 2013
Introduction
The Bible is the most published and distributed book of all time. It is unique in that it is rooted and intertwined with actual human history. Many bible owners, however, admit to not having read the bible because they doubt that the Bible has something meaningful and relevant to say to them. In this book, A Journey through the Old Testament, Elmer L. Towns conveys how people recorded in the Old Testament had the same desires, family problems, and frustrations as we do today. In the Perspective, at the end of each chapter, the relevance of the Old Testament to our lives today is clearly presented. His presentation of the Old Testament gives the reader a sense of ordered history, insight into how God develops His people, a perspicacity of the sovereignty of God and the importance of leadership.
The chronicle begins with the leadership of the most beautiful of all the angels, Lucifer, who had much wisdom and, much pride. Not satisfied with serving God, he rebelled and influenced one-third of the angels to follow him in his rebellion. As a result God cast Lucifer and his followers out of heaven. Lucifer's story reveals the first of many rebellious acts against God and the ripple effect it has on others.
After Lucifer, Townes introduces us to Adam, the first leader among men. Just as Lucifer chose to rebel against God so did man, Adam. This rebellious act had a ripple effect on all of God's Creation, and in particular the entire human race. Yet, unlike the sure fate of Lucifer and his followers, God’s grace intervened in the lives of man.
It is within this framework, man’s rebellion and God’s grace, that Towns takes us on a panoramic journey into the reign of 50 influential leaders. Along this journey, we get a sense of the lives of the people, their rebellion (cycle of sin), and how God used this to develop His people.
Critical Thinking
As I looked through...