A Review of The Glory of Christ
In this volume the author focuses attention on those times when Christ's glory was brilliantly manifested during His earthly ministry.
- Byron Snapp
Christ's time on earth is often referred to as His humiliation. In this volume, however, the author focuses attention on those times when Christ's glory was brilliantly manifested during His earthly ministry.
The reader is first taken to the fields of Bethlehem where the lowly shepherds were unexpectedly visited by angels in all their glory. The angels gave the shepherds the glorious message of Christ's birth. The shepherds verified the announcement by rushing to see the Baby in a manger and worshiping Him.
The manifestation of Christ's glory did not always result in worship. When He was twelve, the teachers in the temple in Jerusalem were amazed by His answers and questions. Shortly after His baptism, Satan fled from Him in the wilderness after Jesus, the Christian's substitute, withstood Satan's temptations by quoting Scripture.
Many responded in reverence and awe to the reality of Christ's glory. Impetuous Peter spoke profoundly when he confessed among the disciples that Jesus was the Son of the living God. This same disciple fell to the ground terrified on the Mount of Transfiguration as God's audible voice approved the ministry of His eternal Son.
Sproul continues to show the reader Christ's glory at a time we would least expect it-at His crucifixion.
I have mentioned only a few of the incidents covered in these sixteen chapters. We can easily see from these examples the fact that Christ's glory was exhibited many times. Sproul keeps the reader's attention focused on relevant Scripture and capably highlights this aspect of Christ's earthly ministry, which is so often overlooked.
Sproul treats this subject with great reverence and wonder. He writes with preciseness, persuasiveness, and practicality. Readers should come away from the volume with a deeper understanding of and an appreciation for Christ's glory in all of Scripture. A Scripture index adds to this volume's usefulness.
This is a worthwhile book for officers and laity to read. It provides a sound basis for our reflection on the glory of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
- Byron Snapp
Byron Snapp is a graduate of King College (B.A.) and Reformed Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He was Associate Pastor at Calvary Reformed Presbyterian Church, Hampton, Virginia, from 1994 until his retirement in December 2014. He is a native of Marion, Virginia. He has had pastorates in Leakesville, Mississippi, and Gaffney, South Carolina. He served as Assistant Pastor in Cedar Bluff, Virginia prior to his ministry at Calvary Reformed. He has served as editor of the Presbyterian Witness and was a contributor to A Comprehensive Faith and Election Day Sermons. He is currently a member of Westminster Presbytery in the PCA. He and his wife Janey have 3 children and several grandchildren.