The God of Promise and the Life of Faith

by Hafemann, Scott J.

• ISBN13: 9781581342611
• ISBN10: 1581342616
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-11-07
• Publisher: INGRAM

Summary

The Bible is clear that our real need is to know the God revealed in its pages. Only then will we know true satisfaction. Yet the thought of studying biblical theology scares away many Christians. Now they need not be afraid. This primer in biblical theology lets the Bible tell its own message, providing a basic framework for understanding the Scriptures that will encourage readers to take up the Bible for themselves and discover the faith, hope and love it offers.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. 13
Introduction: Back to the Bible	p. 17
Why Do We Exist?	p. 23
Lessons from the Creation of the World
The Image and Kingdom of God
The Creator/Creature Distinction
The Function of Creation
God the Creator and Sustainer
The Nature of Idolatry
Honoring God as God
The Implications of Idolatry
The Lesson from Creation
What Does It Mean to Know God?	p. 41
The Covenant God of the Sabbath
The Problem with People
The Sabbath as a Signpost
The Good News of God's Rest
Keeping the Sabbath
The Sabbath as a Statement of Faith
The Covenant Relationship at Creation
The Covenant Structure of the Bible
The Unity of the Bible
What Went Wrong and What Has God Done About It?	p. 61
Self-Reliance and the Call to Rest
The Fall from the Sabbath
From the Fall to the Flood
Back to the Sabbath: Step One--Mercy After Judgment
Back to the Sabbath: Step Two--The Election of Abraham
Learning the Lesson of God's Character
Back to the Sabbath: Step Three--The Exodus as a Fulfillment of Creation
Back to the Sabbath: Step Four--The Reestablishment of Rest
Why Can We Trust God, No Matter What Happens?	p. 83
The Focus and Foundation of Faith
Manna from Heaven and the Call to Faith
The Inextricable Unity of Faith and Obedience
The Glory of God as the Assurance of Salvation
The Glory of God as the Basis of Mercy
The Glory of God and Human Expectation
The Foundation, Focus, and Obedience of Faith
The Glory of God and the Life of Dependence
Why Does God Wait So Long to Make Things Right?	p. 107
"Saved in Hope"--Living for the Future
The God of Hope
God's Purpose in Unfulfilled Promises
Learning to Hope After the Exile
The Old Testament Pattern of Hope
The Resurrection of Jesus and the Hope of Christians
The Role of Suffering in the Life of Hope
The Holy Spirit and Hope
The Cross of Christ and the Hope of Christians
The Certain Hope of God's People
Why Is There So Much Pain and Evil in the World?	p. 129
Suffering and the Sovereignty of God
Suffering and God's Sovereignty: Three Common Approaches
Suffering and God's Sovereignty: A Fourth Approach
The Sovereign God as the God of Love
The Character of God's Sovereignty in Suffering
Suffering as a Christian
Suffering in the Footsteps of Jesus
Why Do God's People Suffer?	p. 149
The School of Affliction
Suffering as a Schoolmaster
Suffering as a Taskmaster
Suffering as a "Blind Date" with God: The Lesson of Job
Suffering as a Midwife for God's Glory: The Example of Paul
Why Do God's People Obey Him?	p. 167
Holiness and Hope
Hope and Desire
Future Grace
Hope and History
Hope and Obedience to the Law
Hope, Future Grace, and Obedience
The Pathways to Holiness
What Difference Does Jesus Make?	p. 187
Faith, Forgiveness, and the Freedom to Obey
Jesus' Inescapable Demands
The Fulfillment of the Law
The New Covenant
The Law of the Gospel and the Gospel in This Law
The Heart of the Good News
The Scandal of the Cross
Saved by Grace
Conclusion: Who Are We?	p. 211
The Marks of a Christian
"Godly Grief"
The Gift of the Gospel
"The Obedience of Faith"
The Marks of God's Presence
The Sum of the Matter: A New Creation for God's Glory
Notes	p. 222
General Index	p. 247
Scripture Index	p. 250
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