Nancy Guthrie (author of several books including Hearing Jesus Speak into Your Sorrow and Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament) has begun writing a new series of five books, study guides for seeing Jesus in the Old Testament. The first guide will be published by Crossway this summer, titled The Promised One: Seeing Jesus in Genesis. I had the privilege of receiving an advance copy to review. Here is a very short review; once it is formally published I will write a fuller review.
Is there a need for another study guide on Genesis? In a word, yes. And this is the book. My passion is for teaching, and sadly for the Old Testament much of the material published for the average Christian is not Christ-centered, but “principle-centered” which becomes nothing more than a new version of legalism. Nancy Guthrie sets a new standard by being truly Christ-centered, starting with Jesus’ fulfillment of the entire Old Testament and maintaining that focus throughout the guide. Having read three of her previous books, and the Christ-centered nature of them, I expected the same top notch quality. I was not disappointed. The proven format of personal study, teaching chapter, and group discussion highlights Christ as the center of Genesis. Her questions are not merely “how-to” guides, but they bring a fresh perspective and point the reader continually to Christ. Do you want to study or teach Genesis? Then this book is for you. Nancy Guthrie has provided a valuable resource for the church. Well done, Nancy.