★★★★★ 3
Knowledgeable History; Uncharitable Theological Commentary
Format: Kindle
The author seems incredibly knowledgeable about the topic. I am learning a tremendous amount about the period bridging the Old and New Testament periods by reading this book. However, it is incredibly frustrating to me that the author compares modern day fellow-Christian cessationists with the unbelieving Sanhedrin whom Stephen excoriated in Acts chapter 7.
"The insinuation is that the Holy Spirit, which had inspired the Torah, was the very same spirit who had been prophetically active down to the time of Jesus but whom the Jewish leaders were now railing against. One wonders what words Stephen would have for modern readers who perpetuate the notion of prophetic silence."
At first this passage irritated me as an unnecessary and uncharitable jab. But I decided to write a review to let readers know to be prepared: if you do not have a Grudem-style view of ongoing prophecy, you should expect the author of this book to take cheap and uncharitable jabs, and to compare you to unbelieving Jews who rejected God's word. It actually colors my ability to take the author seriously, though I paid far too much for this book not to persevere through it.
The author could have chosen to take an objective and charitable stance and simply report the facts. I'm surprised an editor didn't encourage the author to restrain his criticisms.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2024
