Customer Reviews

From Creation to the Cross

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is an excellent survey of the Old Testament. Baylis traces each book of the Old Testament in its own theological development of how Jesus is to be the coming Messiah. I highly recommend From The Cross To Creation for college students looking to understand the Old Testament because Baylis' writing style is smooth and easy to read. I also recommend this book to seminary students as a scholarly work because Baylis' footnotes are extensive and provides for wide-ranging supplemental research. As such this book makes a wonderful Bible study. I have used Baylis' work in such a fashion with a college group and his insights were well received. I believe this book is worthy of a five star rating.

I just wish there was a second volume focusing on the NT.

This book was required reading for an undergrad course in OT biblical studies. I have learned so much from this book that is has stayed on my shelf and referred to very often since my college days 10 years ago. I am actually purchasing more copies of this book to give as gifts for some of my bible study students.

I am unclear why the last reviewer only rated the book with one star even with what seems to be a positive review. But, as previously mentioned it does and exceptional job with clear language and presentation of theological ideas. The text is not exhaustive but does argue and present original language issues, proper translation, settings, outlines, maps and graphs with a graceful simplicity while still provoking the reader to further thought and contemplation.

I think it is good to point out that this is not a verse-by-verse OT commentary but rather a survey with the majority of the work focusing on the Pentateuch.

This is one of the best books I have seen and highly recommend it. I often refer to this book when preparing bible study lessons and sermons. I think this book would make a great addition to anyones library.

This book opens up the world of the Old Testement, showing how God in his infinite wisdom has paved the way for Christ ever since creation. Baylis sheds much light on the prophecies that came true in Christ, and the beautiful love story that God has written for us. A wonderful tool for any wishing to study and explore the Old Testement.

I am using this book to gain greater undestanding of the Old Test. I find that every little bit helps with my understanding. I do have a greater understanding of the Prophets on the Old Test. and after studying Judges and Kings I learned some eye opening things of some Biblical characters (such as Sampson) of the OTI was never taught in Sunday School class. Reading Baylis complements the Bible.

I have found From Creation to the Cross to be an outstanding book for introducing intermediate level college students and adults to the Old Testament. Because it is an overview, Baylis does not detail every single event. He does, however, show his readers how the Old Testament fits together from Genesis to Malachi and its relationship to the New Testament. This is a great book to use in order to gain a quick overview when preaching or teaching the Old Testament.

I read this book in a Literature of the OT (or OT Survey) course. Baylis is simple and practical and explains the basic core doctrines of the Old Testament. He does not have as many pictures, and charts as some other authors and perhaps a reason why the seminary I am currently attending does not use his textbook in their undergraduate OT Survey course, as the school that I earned my BA in did. But to each his own I shall say. Looking at my copy it is packed with highlighted colors, and pencil writings all throughout the 350+ pages. So I read this thing to the death back in Spring of 2002.

I've read the first edition which is called "On the Way to Jesus".

What Baylis does that is extremely helpful is to give historical meaning to what can be a series of seemingly unconnected Biblical events. For those of us prone to looking at details and facts, this book is an excellent reminder that there really is a point to it all. For those prone to debating minute points of doctrine and thinking that these points are what theology is all about, "From Creation to the Cross" offers a reminder that there is a big picture that makes many of these points seem trivial.

One of Baylis' most important contributions in this OT survey is his ability to avoid addressing most controversial issues. The only place where he fails to do this is in his chapter on the role of the Law in the OT. He himself (in a footnote) admits that he was reluctant to write a chapter on the Law since it is so controversial. Dispensationalists and others who traditionally have seen the Law as a negative thing will disagree with Baylis. Other than that, though, he seems to focus on the main thing or what C.S. Lewis calls "Mere Christianity".

One reviewer said that it is too conservative. It is conservative, but if you wanted liberal, why not buy a liberal commentary?

Anyway for the conservative, lost in the sea of the OT, Baylis offers a good compass.

The views varied only in how conservative their interpretation was. They proclaimed freedom followed with a but. I wasted my money on this book.

I just finished my first reading of this book. It presented a wonderfully clear summary of God's progressive dealings with mankind throughout the Old Testament. I envision referring to this book frequently in my research and teaching, and wholeheartedly recommend it to any student of God's Word.

I'm sorry to say I was really disappointed in this book. After just reading it a little while, I got really irritated by the absolute approach to the Bible. For the sake of clarity; I regard Genesis 1 & 2 as a story of how God created the world, but not as historically factual.
Because the book seems thorough, I nevertheless give it two stars.