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Summary: Required Reading in the School of Faith, Hope, and Love!
Review: The history of redemption- an oft-ignored concept in churches today- explains the "whole counsel of God", according to Hafemann. By viewing the Bible as a progress of revelation and redemption, we can see the purpose of sabbath, covenant, promise, law, suffering, Jesus, gospel, and obedience. Hafemann clearly shows God's ultimate purpose in all things- to "go public" with His glory. The explanation of the unity of the covenants is paradigm-shifting, heralding God's grace in every era. The interpretation of 2 Corinthians 3 and the New Covenant passage in Jeremiah 31 paint clearly the relation of the OT to the NT, the law to the gospel, and the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. Hafemann explains, contra Openness and Arminian theology, the eternal purpose of God in suffering and in evil in a convincing and comforting manner. The chapter on the relationship of faith and obedience and the section on the "obedience of faith" builds and expands on the prior work of his teachers, John Piper and Daniel Fuller, and should be commonplace sermon material in all pulpits. Finally, the exaltation of the glory of God's grace in all things permeating this book sounds out a biblical note of God's sovereign goodness. Hafemann has blessed us all with this gem which brilliantly shows how the God of promise brings about faith, hope, and love. Now, my word to all of you: Read it like it's your job!
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Summary: Our Obedience to God for His Glory!
Review: There is no way to put into words how valuable this book is. Hafemann opens up the Bible in a way I have yet seen or read. Hafemann shows us how the heart of the Bible is trusting in God's provisions and being thankful, therefor honoring God as God (Romans 1). He shows us how the Old Testament Convenent was not replaced by the new, but was fullilled by it, in that we now have the Spirit and therefor the ability to obey God's commands, which both benefits us and brings Him glory! Hafemann is uncomprising in his exegesis of the Bible. There is no waterdown or health and wealth gospel in these pages. Hafemann shows how God uncondiontially elects us to serve and obey him, and uses suffering to both make us more like Christ as well as bring Himself glory by showing to the world that God's people trust Him even in adverse circumstances.If you were going to read one book your whole life, read the Bible. But if you were going to read two books, get this book.
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Summary: A Mixed Review
Review: This is a book that is a good starting point for understanding God's actions throughout redemptive history. It is not difficult to read and there are many good points in it. However, there are some problems and questionable conclusions that make this book a mediocre one. However, before discussing the negatives I will first mention some of the positives. Positives:
Hafemann's discussions (chapters 4 and 7) on the what it means to truly trust God despite one's circumstances is a gem. Many readers will find very helpful pastoral-like statements that will help them understand why God's people suffer and why believers should never fall into utter despair (and why trusting in God's provisions and promises are essential in overcoming this despair). Another good discussion is how the Bible reconciles God's character and sovereignty with the existence of suffering and sin (chapter 6). Hafemann does a good job refuting the common Arminian, "open-theist", and process views of theodicy (pp. 130-5). He opts for the typical Calvinist view that suffering and sin exist within God's plan so that He can reveal His glory to the world (pp. 135-9). Hafemann's discussion on theodicy is excellent and many will find convincing reasons why the Calvinist approach is the most Biblical and rational. Negatives:
Hafemann actually denies in this book the Reformation principle of justification by faith alone. In fact, the view presented in the book is a departure from the view of justification advocated in the Formula of Concord, the Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles, the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. In fact, Hafemann advocates a view of justification that is a combination of the forensic view of Protestantism and the re-creative view of Roman Catholicism (cf. p. 124). In fact, on page 180 he states: "Obeying in order to inherit God's future grace (his covenant blessings) means obeying in order not to inherit his future wrath (his covenant curses)." It is no surprise then that the "letter-spirit" approach to the Law is not widely accepted by most orthodox Protestants (cf. pp. 226-8 n. 15). Hafemann even questions the way Lutheran, Reformed, and Dispensational scholars have typically understood the Law's relationship to the Gospel (pp. 244-6 n. 6). Hafemann's view should be more accurately stated as justification by faith/works (or trust/law-keeping). This is basically a reemergence of the radical Anabaptistic view of the Law and Gospel. Many orthodox Protestants will find Hafemann's work questionable and controversial. For those who enthusiastically support Hafemann's view of the Law (and its relationship to the Gospel) should realize that they are the one's departing from the historic Protestant faith and not the Lutherans, Reformed, or Dispensationalists. Regardless of all the questionable points made in the book it is a good place to start in understanding the hope believers have in the midst of their suffering and why God does what He does throughout history.
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Summary: Building A Foundation
Review: Written simply and full of deep insight, this is a book that will inspire faith in the seeking heart. I was struggling with trusting God and repeatedly prayed about it. The Lord used this book to open my eyes and give me wisdom concerning what it means to trust Him and to live a life of faith. I learnt about obedience to God in a brand new light. I used to fear the teaching of obedience, as I always heard it taught using condemnation eg. "You must obey God or else...." It only made me more afraid, and consequently, more rebellious toward a God whom I perceived to be demanding, over-bearing, and vindictive. This book helped to clarify so much of that wrong theology. Obedience is a Biblical concept, a must, but the way we approach it must be through the way of tenderness, grace, and kindness. Mercy triumphs in the end, not judgment, and God delights in mercy. It is ultimately His goodness that leads one to repent, to change his way of thinking, to yield and submit. The Word says : Husband, love your wives (then), wives, submit. Understanding God our Husbandman who loves us deeply is a tremendous stimulus for us (the bride of Christ) to respond with willing and eager submission. This book is recommended reading for new believers and also for "old" believers who have somehow lost their way in the wilderness of hyper-faith teachings supported only by enthusiasm and flimsy feelings, legalistic teachings that ultimately lead to bitterness and hardness of heart, and false doctrines based only on man's word without any on God's Bible. The book explains in detail what living the Christian life is like and how to know God. For a person seeking a relationship with God not based on subjective realism but on solid truth, this book will be a welcome addition to your library. God bless and Jesus loves you.
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