Desmond
T. Alexander, From Eden to the New Jerusalem: An Introduction to Biblical
Theology, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2008. Pp. 208.
Paper. $19,99. ISBN 978-0-8254-2015-3.
T.
Desmond Alexander, senior lecturer in biblical studies at Union Theological
College, Belfast, wrote an introduction to biblical theology in which he
outlines the central theme of the Bible from the viewpoint that the earth was
and is destined as God’s dwelling place. God’s aim was and is that the earth
will be filled with his glory.
The
starting point of Alexander is the final vision of the New Jerusalem in the
book of Revelation. The New Jerusalem is, as Alexander makes clear, the final
and ultimate fulfilment of God’s purpose for the earth; a purpose that first
became manifest in the creating of the earth and in the existence of the
paradise. More than Alexander does I would underline that the final realisation
of God’s purpose surpasses the situation in the paradise before the fall.
In
Genesis the paradise is portrayed as a temple and man had the role as priest
and king before the fall as the verbs ‘keep’ (rmv) and ‘dress/do the service’ (db[) make clear. Outside Gen. 2 these verbs only occur in
close connection to each other in Num. 3 when the service of priests in the
sanctuary is described.
The fall
of man meant that instead that the temple of God was extended throughout the
earth the earth was filled with sin and unrighteousness. Alexander takes the
fall of man seriously as a historical fact. More that Alexander does I would
stress that is a real amazing thing that God came with his promises to man
after the fall.
The
tabernacle and the theocracy of Israel must be seen as a provisional
realisation of God’s ultimate purpose, namely that God will dwell with his
gracious presence in the midst of man. That purpose can only become a reality
when the sin of man is atoned. That was done by Jesus Christ as the fulfilment
of the service of the tabernacle and temple and as the real Passover Lamb. The blood
of Christ is not only the means of atonement but also of purification and
sanctification.
In the New Jerusalem we find the final fulfilment of the promises both of the Old and New Testament. The spiritual reality of the New Jerusalem is a material reality and the material reality of the New Jerusalem is a spiritual reality. From Eden to the New Jerusalem is worth reading and gives a good insight into the great meta-story of the Scriptures.
In the New Jerusalem we find the final fulfilment of the promises both of the Old and New Testament. The spiritual reality of the New Jerusalem is a material reality and the material reality of the New Jerusalem is a spiritual reality. From Eden to the New Jerusalem is worth reading and gives a good insight into the great meta-story of the Scriptures.