The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament [Paperback]

Edmund P. Clowney (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: P & R Publishing (February 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875521746
• ISBN-13: 978-0875521749
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #249,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!, October 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament (Paperback)

This was a fantastic book! It did a great job of showing how God's promise of redemption in Christ was pointed to over and over again throughout the Old Testament. I thought that it really painted a wonderful picture of the coherence of God's word and the constancy of His purpose, which cannot be thwarted. It gives a great outline of some of what Jesus might have said to the disciples while on the road to Emmaeus ("Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself."--Lk 24:2) and what Philip caught a glimpse of and wanted to share with Nathaniel ("We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."--Jn 1:45). I highly recommend it.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction, but doesn't get too deep, January 19, 2007

By 

B. C. Richards (Tucson, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament (Paperback)

This book traces the progress of the message of salvation in Christ through the Old Testament. Dr. Clowney follows in the Biblical theological tradition of Geerhardus Vos, but at a much more popular level. As a matter of fact, I was a little disappointed with the book in terms of its depth. While I had not seen it indicated, my opinion is that this book is basically at the high school level. It would also be excellently suited to someone from a dispensational background who is interested in starting to learn about the Reformed and historically Christian view of the unity of the Bible.

Clowney begins with a chapter comparing Adam and Jesus Christ, and follows it with a broad overview of the Old Testament, through the fall of man, Abraham, Jacob, the Exodus and the ministry of Moses, Joshua, the judges, David and Solomon, and the prophets. In all this Clowney shows how the saints of the Old Testament were looking forward to the promised Messiah, and how their lives and experiences also point forward to Jesus Christ.

While I had no specific objections to the book, I was definitely a little underwhelmed by the level. I was excited to read the book (it was the second book I tackled of the roughly dozen I received for Christmas), but unfortunately I came away with the feeling that I hadn't heard too much that I haven't heard before. If you are looking for a sound, easy introduction to Biblical theology (the study of the history of redemption) this book may be just what you want. It is certainly easy to read. But I have a suspicion that most people who are going to take the time to read books about theology may want something a little deeper.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars essential reading, March 22, 2003

By 

Kathy F. Cannata "Rev. Dr. R. Cannata" (New Orleans, LA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament (Paperback)

This is a pure joy to read. He illustrates how the Old Testament is as much about Christ as the New Testament is. To see this is to grasp a whole new sense of the relevance and excitement of the Scriptures.

This is a real classic.

My only criticism -- the chapters are long and often rambling, with little sense of an organizing principle. While every word in Clowney is golden, and his style is very lyrical and engaging, one wishes he had a better editor to organize the thoughts in chunks they would hang together. This made it difficult to adapt to an adult c.e. series, when I did that 5 years ago.

BTW -- if you liked this book's Christo-centric approach, try Charlie Drew's Ancient Love Song (2001) which is better organized. For preaching see Bryan Chapell's Christ-Centered Precahing (1997).