Book Review: Salvation Accomplished By The Son The Work Of Christ by Robert A. Peterson

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:1-5 ESV

The Word is logos and "it conveys the notion of divine self-expression or speech and has a rich OT background. God's Word is effective: God speaks, and things come in to being, and by speech he relates personally to his people." ESV Study Bible Crossway, study notes, page 2019.
God has expressed himself through and in his Son Jesus. Jesus is "the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us." John 1:14 ESV

This begins our study of Salvation Accomplished By The Son the Work of Christ!


The introduction is an important starting point on what the author calls, "our journey." I love it that he invited us; we are not perceived as faceless reader's, but as fellow travelers on this journey to study Christ. In the introduction the author Robert Peterson is straight to the point in giving his reasons for writing this lengthy book. He tells us why we should read this book. He especially makes a point to tell us that Christ's death and resurrection is still debated, and as believer's in Him we should understand and "know" what we believe. The author believes this book can guide us in to knowing Christ's work more fully.

The book is divided in to 2 parts:
Part 1: Events, Jesus' Saving Events
Part 2: Pictures, Pictures of Jesus' Saving Events

In Part 1 the author looks at 9 important areas of Jesus' saving events, they are:
1. Christs' Incarnation
2. Christ's Sinless Life
3. Christ's Death
4. Christ's Resurrection
5. Christ's Ascension
6. Christ's Session
7. Christ's Pentecost
8. Christ's Intercession
9. Christ's Second Coming

In Part 2 he gives 6 pictures of Jesus' Saving Events, they are:
10. Christ Our Reconciler
11. Christ Our Redeemer
12. Christ Our Legal Substitute
13. Christ Our Victor
14. Christ Our Second Adam
15. Christ Our Sacrifice

I have chosen 1 chapter from each part to review.

From Part 1, Chapter 7 Pentecost~~~
~~~The definition of Pentecost is fiftieth. It was celebrated 50 days after Passover. This was the Feast of Weeks; see Deuteronomy 16:10, Leviticus 23:15-16; or the Feast of Harvest, see Exodus 23-16.
Pentecost in the New Testament and for Christian's is known as the point when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church, see Acts chapter 2. Jesus had promised to send His Spirit, the helper; see Luke 24:49; John 14:25-26, 15:26 and Acts 1:8. Definition summarized from Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.
Robert A. Peterson explains that the "world" system is indifferent to, and does not believe in, something they cannot see. I find this interesting considering how many ghost movies and shows there are. But the "world" believes in what they can see, touch, and define by our senses. Thus the Holy Spirit is rejected as nonsense.
The Holy Spirit at Pentecost in chapter 2 of Acts was poured out, breathed out, on the apostles that were gathered together, and on the Church.
Robert A. Peterson states, "His breathing on the disciples in John 20:22 while saying, 'receive the Holy Spirit' symbolically predicts their reception of the Spirit at Pentecost. His breathing on them recalls God's breathing into Adam the breath of life, Genesis 2:7. Christ's action thus portrays Pentecost as the beginning of the new creation of God in the Church."
The word breath is pneuma in Greek. "Jesus uses pneuma twice: once for wind or air, and once for the Spirit." Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.
Peterson explains, "God sent a mighty wind to indicate that He was about to pour out the Holy wind of God upon the Apostles."
"The sound of the wind signaled the arrival of the Spirit, who makes the dead alive. The wind was the breath of God, breathed into the new humanity."---quote used in book and taken from Dennis Johnson.
The Holy Spirit equipped the disciples for the ministry, and the Holy Spirit equips the Church which is us for the ministry.
~~~This was my favorite chapter in the book. I read it twice. I felt Robert A. Peterson stated his points perfectly. The reason I chose to read it twice is it is a deep deep book, I wanted to make sure that what I'd read soaked in.
Peterson addressed the "world" at large as well as the Christian community. He stated a fact that the "world" which is the cosmos does not accept Jesus' death, burial, resurrection. They reject the Holy Spirit, they believe it is a bunch of hullabaloo. It was important to bring this to our attention because as Christians we cannot live in a bubble, so to speak, we must work and live amongst people that are hostile to Jesus. In understanding a bit more, not only in how the "world" thinks, but also know more about what Scripture states  we will better be able to encounter them in a different way other than by avoidance or judgmental attitude. The "world" may not believe as we do, but they are certainly watching.
I had not yet known or was not listening before I read this book, that, "Pentecost was a proclamation of the new covenant because Scripture sets Pentecost over against the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai. The new covenant supersedes the old. Pentecost publicly marks the transition from the old to the new covenant." I thought that Christ's death on the cross was that pivotal point.

From Part 2, Chapter 14 Christ Our Second Adam~~~
~~~"Definition-The second Adam is the NT picture of Christ's saving work in which, through His 'one act of righteousness" He restores humankind's lost glory, honor and rule over the earth." See Romans 5:18. See 1 Corinthians 15 to read more about Christ Our Second Adam.
Peterson believes "this point is the most neglected of the 6 pictures of Christ's saving work."
I'm glad Peterson taught on Jesus' temptation in the desert. The first Adam had been tempted in the garden, and he had failed. Jesus was tempted in the desert three times and he passed at each point.
Peterson shows the Second Adam in Paul's epistles. The Second Adam is seen in Hebrews Scriptures as well, see chapter 2:5-10.
~~~This chapter on Christ Our Second Adam was rich in explaining the first Adam's failure, penalty of death, and our need for the saving redeeming work of Christ Jesus. 
 ~~~At the end of each of his chapters he wraps up nicely summarizing what he'd written and we'd learned.
In the second part this wrap-up section is detailed; for example he gives not just a definition, but texts used, background, and relation to other doctrines.
I've noticed that as a writer Peterson is personable, approachable; he is not a dry monotone theological writer. I appreciated this so much!
This is a book that I felt was written for the Christian community, not just for pastor's, or theologians, or those of academic background.
Much of what was written about I knew, but I feel I now have a more solidity of bedrock after reading this book.
The last chapter in the book is geared to define Calvinist belief or Reformed teaching. The title is The Extent of the Atonement, listed as an Appendix. They believe in limited atonement rather than unlimited atonement. Another words they believe Christ died for only certain people, not for all. They explain several Scriptures and I felt they stated their case well, except for 1 important Scripture that they are stumped on. I appreciated it that he was honest on this point.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 ESV

Thank you to Crossway for my free review copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Robert A. Peterson (PhD, Drew University) is professor of systematic theology at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the author and editor of numerous books and articles, including The Glory of God and The Deity of Christ.

Published by Crossway November 30, 2011
Christian Non-Fiction/Systematic Theology/Christology
624 pages

Link @ Publisher:
http://www.crossway.org/books/salvation-accomplished-by-the-son-case/
Hardcover $40.00
eBook $11.99

Link @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Salvation-Accomplished-Son-Work-Christ/dp/1433507609/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327859942&sr=1-1
Hardcover $25.86
Kindle $7.99

Link @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/salvation-accomplished-son-the-work-christ/robert-peterson/9781433507601/pd/507601?product_redirect=1&Ntt=507601&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP
Hardcover $25.49
eBook $9.59

Robert A. Peterson is a co-editor of the Theology in Community Series with Christopher W. Morgan
The Kingdom of God available August 2012
The Deity of Christ
The Glory of God
Suffering and the Goodness of God

To read my review of The Deity of Christ:
http://awell-wateredgarden.blogspot.com/2011/07/book-review-deity-of-christ-edited-by.html

Blissful Reading!
Annette

The Sunday Salon

Good Sunday to you!
I've had a busy past week with my dad that lives with me and I care for. He has had a large boil on his chin. I took him to an urgent care clinic last week, they lanced it, bandaged it up, and dad is on 2 antibiotics. This morning it looks much much better and we are both relieved.
Pray he will continue with good recovery.

During the past week, and I'm still reading along in Professor Grant Horner's Bible Reading System, although I've read ahead in some books of the Bible.

Currently I've read through:
Genesis 29
Judges 5
Psalm 29
Isaiah 29
Mark 1
1 Corinthians 12

The books of the Bible I finished reading during the past week:
Joshua (24 chapters) on January 24
Job (42 chapters) on January 29
Proverbs (31 chapters) on January 29
Ecclesiastes (12 chapters) on January 29
Song of Solomon (8 chapters) on January 29
Matthew (28 chapters) on January 29
Acts (28 chapters) on January 29
James (5 chapters) on January 21
1 Peter (5 chapters) on January 29

I do not plan to re-read the following books this year:
Job
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon

This means I'm changing up the Bible Reading System. As I progress and finish out other Bible books I'll decide which ones I want to re-read again. You can count on me to definitely re-read the New Testament and possibly some of the Old Testament books.

Starting on February 1st I'll read Hebrews again, for the 2nd time.

I'm still reading the Common English Bible for my daily Bible readings and I'm loving it! Easy to read and understand.

Coming soon a review on a heavy heavy theology book, Salvation Accomplished By The Son The Work of Christ by Robert A. Peterson.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Not In The Heart by Chris Fabry

This is the fourth book I've read of Chris Fabry's. In each of his books (all well-written) his main character's are "different," even controversial, certainly
stimulating, and leaves the reader long after the book is finished still thinking and pondering them. Not In The Heart is in line with my before hand statement.
Truman Wiley is not a likable character, and that's an understatement. He has a lengthy list of character traits that are intolerable. He is not a malicious character. He is lost. He is like a sheep without a shepherd. Please read Matthew 9:36 and John 10. Truman is addicted to gambling. In this spiraling out of control addiction he has just about lost everything he'd had. Truman's teenage son Aiden is in the hospital with a sick heart. He is waiting for a heart transplant. The donor is Terrelle Conley, a man on death row that proclaims he is innocent. Truman has an older daughter Abigail. Abigail is a wounded little bird, yet veils it by a mask of sarcasm and anger. Truman's wife Ellen is long on patience and long-suffering. She is trying desperately to hold it all together.
Not In The Heart, tries to tell several themes in one book: gambling addiction, marital difficulty, family dysfunction, death penalty, organ donation, political fraud, murder, journalism, job loss, broken relationships, family of prisoner's, and parents of terminally ill children. This is a heavy, heavy story. From the first page to the last there is no pause for lightheartedness, except maybe in the sarcastic dialogue from Truman and or his daughter Abigail. To me, Truman is a pathetically sad character. From the first point of my introduction to him, I did not feel his developing story would end well.

I know, you want to know if I like it. Yes and no. I'll explain.
What I liked:
1. I felt that the story digs deep in showing a person addicted. It shows the out of control life of a person that "thinks" they've got "it" under control. We see, as the reader that their full of it, literally. They are blind to their drug of choice, and Truman's drug was gambling. We also through this story see Truman's addictions affect on his family. His family has now developed through what has happened with him, their own problems, not to mention anxieties, fears, anger.
2. I felt the story did justice (no pun intended) in bringing out what family members go through when they have a loved one on death row.
3. The book brought to light the need for more organ donor's and our feelings about where these donation's come from.
What I did not like:
Only 1 thing I not like about this book. It's too heavy, too weighty, too much to digest. After reading this book I felt like I had eaten too big of a meal. One theme alone would have been heavy, such as addressing gambling addiction, or addressing death row and or death penalty.

I felt the author wanted by the end of the story for some redeeming good to come out of Truman's life. That Truman would in the end make a responsible decision. Of course I can't tell you the end, that would spoil it for you.

I've been asked to share what Truman has been in my life. I have to be careful about answering this question because I have family that reads my blog reviews. It is a deeply personal and private question; although I understand that it can be a testimony to help other people.
There have been several Truman's in my life: in my own family growing up, in the family that I married in to, including the man I married. Early in my marriage that addiction ended, although it will be something that for the rest of his life he will need to stay vigilante in prayer about. As far as the family I married in to, multiple addictions are rampant down to the generations that have been born since I married over 29 years ago. Few see themselves in the light of Christ. They are lost. They are indifferent, and since they associate with people who do the same thing they do, there is no chance for an encounter with the One who gave His life for them. The few times I see them they are uncomfortable with me, we're friendly, but I perceive they just don't know what to say to me, because I'm the Bible thumper the goody-two-shoes. If they only knew how much I love them and how much I've prayed for them. More importantly if they only knew how much Jesus loved them. At this point they don't care, but that does not mean I stop praying. My job is to pray for them and when opportunities arise I talk to them. I try to be very, very conscious of not coming across as being judgmental, instead I want to be approachable. I will be held accountable as well. I too am imperfect and in need of God's grace. The most difficult Truman in my life is my brother James. I don't have an answer for him, as I don't know what exactly what his problem is or probably multiple problems. I know he has a history of alcohol and drug addiction. I know he shows mental health problems. He eventually burns every relationship he has. At this time he has no car, not even a bicycle, no money and maybe no job, he would be homeless if not for a few others he keeps on a leash. He and I have not spoken since January 2007. At our mother's funeral March 2008 he would not acknowledge me, he did not look at me, he did not speak to me, he would not speak or look at my husband or children. This hurt, more so than peering in to our mother's casket at her lifeless body. At one time James and I were close, but define close, if he needs you for something he will keep in contact, if not, he drops you and it is always your fault or no explanation is ever given. I'll keep praying, keep hoping, keep trusting in Jesus that waits patiently for James to come home.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy for free in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to
Tyndale House Publishers and B and B Media Group Inc.

The release month for this book coincides with National Organ Donor Day on February 14, 2012.
See link:
http://organdonor.gov/index.html

During the week of March 4-10, 2012, The National Council on Problem Gambling will be observing Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
See link:
http://www.ncpgambling.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1
Published by Tyndale House Publishers Official Release Date February 1, 2012
Christian Fiction/Organ Donation/Gambling/Redemption/Family Dysfunction/Death Row/Prison
418 pages


Link for author:
http://chrisfabry.com/
You can view the book trailer on his site.
Chris Fabry won The Christy Award for Dogwood 2009, and Almost Heaven 2011. He won Christian Book award for Almost Heaven 2011.
My review for Almost Heaven:
http://awell-wateredgarden.blogspot.com/2010/10/book-review-almost-heaven-by-chris.html
I predicted in the review that he would win big for his book, Almost Heaven. 
My review for June Bug:
http://awell-wateredgarden.blogspot.com/2009/10/review-dogwood.html

Link @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Not-Heart-Chris-Fabry/dp/1414348614/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327769672&sr=1-1
Paperback $10.98
Kindle $9.99

Blissful Reading!
Annette