What the Bible Says about God the Redeemer

Rating:
Summary: Good Reference Book
Review: The final volume of Cottrell's trilogy on the nature of God, God the Redeemer has proved to be the most difficult to read. As mention in a previous review of Cottrells works it seems that each succeeding volume in this series gets longer and the print finer. Perhaps, I was just tired, or perhaps a little overwhelmed by trying to read all three of these volumes. Nevertheless, it is a reference work that would be a valuable addition to any pastor's library. Reference is the operative word. Whereas his first volume, God the Creator, riveted one's attention and it read, dare I say, as a novel, this third and final volume is just too massive, too detailed to be read in this way.

It is a reference work. If you have a question, or need to look up Cottrells insight on a particular verse, you cannot beat it- it is massive, thorough and analytical. An easy read, it is not. This is both the books strength and weakness. It is its strength in that you would be hard pressed to find such a comprehensive volume on the redemptive nature of God. It is its weakness in that only the most dedicated reader would attempt to read this book cover to cover. If it was Cottrells purpose to provide a comprehensive and thorough analysis of the redemptive work of God, he has succeeded brilliantly. If his purpose was to write a book that would influence and educate the church on a broad base level, he has failed. The danger writing such a review is that my intellectual abilities and desire for knowledge will be called into question by some of my fellow reviewers. But really, this is nothing personal against Jack. He has done a good job. But by far, his best volume in this service was the first. I wish each succeeding volume were more like it.