From Adam and Israel to the Church: A Biblical Theology of the People of God (Essential Studies in Biblical Theology)

God has a plan and He is fulfilling it. That plan is to make one people of God who will enjoy His presence forever.

There is much that is worth commenting on in this work, but for the length of this review it is practical to only address a few interesting points. Firstly, Gladd is writing in an area of study that has been sorely neglected in most churches, denominations and seminaries in this day and age. Few people know their Bibles well, and even fewer are able to draw the kinds of rich, edifying, theologically essential connections that are addressed in this book. Biblical theology is a dry spot in the church, and it has so much potential to ignite a passion for studying, believing and sharing the word of God when people are enlightened by the cohesive biblical story and their own place as image-bearers. For this reason, this book is a welcome addition to any library, and will inevitably help many people to have a newfound appreciation and understanding of biblical texts that they previously may have written off as confusing, complicated, and unhelpful.Secondly, although it is not a polemical work against opposing views, Gladd is not shy about his own firm convictions. It is important to note, however, that this book is written in such a way that he does not regularly address the perspectives that he disagrees with, instead merely stating his argument for his own position. This is something that I respected about his writing style, as he is clearly striving to have the truth speak for itself. When he does include contrary views, it is done in an open, honest, and charitable manner. There is so much rich content in this book that anyone who disagrees with some of the author’s theological positions would be unwise not to read the book in order to expand their perspective, interact with a well-articulated opposing viewpoint, and find much material that a vast array of faithful Christians could agree on.Thirdly, Gladd gives a good view of how modern Christians must learn to live as those bearing the renewed image of God to the nations in a world that is rapidly changing for the worse. He acknowledges the reality that, “the Bible tells us that we will not win the culture war and that genuine Christianity will be brought to the edge of extinction” (74). Gladd encourages Christians in these turbulent political, social and economic times by pointing them to Jesus. Gladd writes, “in a world that is increasingly becoming hostile towards Christianity, we must rest in God’s promises of redemption” (74).Fourthly, Gladd does an excellent job of displaying the uniqueness and exceptional nature of the new creation, which many people often neglect in their ‘back to Eden’ ideas. This will push back against what many evangelicals believe, but it is much needed.Finally, Gladd spurs believers towards being overcomers by his uncommon image-based approach. He drives people towards holiness, sanctification, evangelism, missions, learning, preaching and serving God with their whole being. Reading this book will leave readers eager to share about what God has done and fulfill their God-given role as His children.

Dispensationalism is one of the few of Eschatological viewpoints that some Christians hold. Most of them are in the United States. Dispensationalism has the view that Israel and the church are two different things and have no connection whatsoever. Many good Bible-believing preachers teach this as it were the gospel. Some of them I would agree with their soteriology and other views of sound doctrine. John MacArthur comes to mind who believes dispensationalism and teaches it from the pulpit.Are Israel and the church two different things in the Bible? Are dispensationalists correct in their view of the church in relation to Israel? Benjamin Gladd address this and other issues in his book, From Adam and Israel to the Church: A Biblical Theology of the People of God. This book is part of the "Essential Studies in Biblical Theology" (ESBT), which is published by InterVarsity Press.Gladd mentioned in the beginning of the book that he was exposed to dispensationalism while attending The Master's Seminary, which was started by John MacArthur. As he studied the Bible, Gladd began to believe that Israel and the church "were not separate but were unified in the person of Christ." So we know in the beginning that Gladd holds the view that Israel and the church are not two separate branches in God's redemption history. Gladd wants to show that God's plan since the beginning of time was to set apart a people to himself that is made of up of different people group that are unified under one name, Jesus Christ.Gladd shows how this plan began with Adam to bring dominion on the earth and to worship the Lord as one people, which was disrupted by sin. As a result of sin, God's people were separated into different nations and yet God created one nation to bring all people together under His name, Israel. Gladd shows from the Bible, God's plan of redemption for Israel and how the Gentiles were also included.Gladd goes on to show the three-fold office that Christ holds, which are prophet, priest, and king. Later on, Gladd even shares that the church in some way hold those offices as well. I have admit I was a little iffy about this because it almost sounds like something out of the Word of Faith Movement. Gladd goes through the Bible to back up his points which there is nothing questionable in my mind regarding this view that the church are prophets, priests, and kings while at the same time not in exalted as Jesus is.I really enjoyed this book. There were times I could not put it down. I was eager to read more of it. Gladd communicated his points very well and with clarity. I am excited to see more books in the "Essential Studies in Biblical Theology" series in the near future.

Such an important read for those searching the true meaning of be a Christian