A Strange Place for Grace: Discovering a Loving God in the Old Testament

by Dybdahl, Jon L.

• ISBN13: 9780816321339
• ISBN10: 0816321337
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-02-28
• Publisher: Pacific Pr Pub Assn

Summary

Do the Bible's stories reveal a hidden personality disorder in the Creator of the universe? Is He "sometimes up, sometimes down," exhibiting a happy-go-lucky, forgiving attitude of grace one day, but striking sinners dead the next?

It may seem sacrilegious to even ask such questions, but Bible students have wrestled with these issues throughout Christian history. The Good Book portrays Jesus as a loving, forgiving Savior who accepted everyone who would come to Himùa Man whom children felt comfortable around. But it also tells us about the sudden judgments that fell on Nadab, Abihu, and Uzzah, who perished for getting too close to God in a disrespectful way.

If you've struggled to see how all these stories fit together to give us a consistent picture of a God who is worthy of our worship, you'll find answers hereùnot pat answers, but ones that really wrestle with the questions. The author is a dedicated college professor whose experience as a missionary in Asia has taught him how to make God real to people who have never met Him before, as well as to those who question His goodness.

Dr. Dybdahl doesn't just gloss over the difficult parts of the Bible; he looks them in the eye, retelling old stories in a way that reveals the grace behind the scenes. And each chapter includes a modern story that illustrates how God's grace works in our world in the same way it did in biblical times.

Behind the scenes may seem like a strange place for grace, but it's there, and it reassures us that we have a God we can trust!

Author Biography

Before becoming Walla Walla College's 22nd president, Jon Dybdahl served as a professor of world mission at Andrews University in the training of ministers worldwide. A pastor, evangelist, missionary, and college professor, Dybdahl is known as a deeply spiritual and award-winning educator. He holds advanced degrees from Andrews University and a doctorate in Old Testament from Fuller Theological Seminary. Dybdahl and his wife, Kathy, have three children who are all WWC alumni and live in the Walla Walla area.