Jesus, A Theography

When I received my advance review copy of Jesus, A Theographyopy, I was excited to delve into it.

Jesus told the Pharisees, “All Scripture points to me.” We think we know the Jesus of the New Testament, but do we really believe that he can be found throughout the pages of the Old Testament? And what difference does an encounter with him there make?

Jesus, A Theography, is a panoramic sweep of the Bible, exploring how Jesus can be seen throughout its pages. With meticulous attention to detail, and copious footnotes, Len Sweet and Frank Viola rehearse the Old Testament in light of the New, demonstrating Jesus over and over again in the stories, pictures and symbols that are found there. The research and scholarship that have gone into this work are awe-inspiring.

I’ve been reading the book for just over a week now, Bible in hand. Every so often, I’ll think to myself, “It can’t say that–surely I would have noticed that before.” I check the footnotes and references and sure enough, it’s plain to be seen. I’m thrilled to be discovering aspects about Jesus’ life that are “new” to me, delighting in aspects of his character that I’m seeing in a fresh light.

I have a shelf of classics in my library–books that are timeless in their relevance and teaching. This book will join the others on that shelf.