From Eden to the New Jerusalem: An Introduction to Biblical Theology

by T. Desmond Alexander, Al Kessel (Read by)

Overview

Personal stories aren't enough to offer individuals peace when they question their own existence. But the Bible's story comes not from humanity, but from God. Author, T. Desmond Alexander, suggests that God has given us the reasons for creation and our existence in the Bible, "by resolving an intricate plot that sheds light on the entire story," Alexander writes. Using this theory to start from the denouement, or resolution, in Revelation's last verses and work backward, Alexander pieces together the Bible's overarching plot. The resulting picture reveals the reasons for creation and life that have eluded those who seek to answer life's biggest questions without first placing themselves in God's story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798228664111
Publisher:	Tantor
Publication date:	09/30/2025
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 5.70(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

T. Desmond Alexander is senior lecturer in biblical studies and director of postgraduate studies at Union Theological College in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He has written numerous books, including two commentaries on Exodus, and coedited the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology and the Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch.

Al Kessel is a full-time narrator and voice actor currently living in Arizona, where he works from his professional home recording studio. For Al, performing is passion. Audiobook narration was the logical career choice for him since, for as long as he can remember, he's been a voracious reader, acting all the characters out in his head, and often entertaining his family with his dramatic reenactments of books, movies, and television. Al prides himself on the ability to bring any character to life with his voice, a voice often described as "smooth as melted butter," or "like an old friend you just love hearing tell you about their day." He has recorded numerous audiobooks from just about every genre. When not bringing stories to life, he loves hiking in the desert with his wife and puppy, visiting Disneyland and, when time permits, reenergizing on the beach.

Table of Contents

Preface 7

1 Introduction 9

2 From sacred garden to holy city: experiencing the presence of God 13

Overview 15

The motif of temple 19

The temple-garden of Eden 20

The tabernacle 31

The Jerusalem temple 42

The church as temple 60

3 Thrown from the throne: re-establishing the sovereignty of God 74

The throne of God 75

Adam and Eve as God's viceroys 76

The theocracy of Israel 80

The church and the kingdom of God 89

4 Dealing with the devil: destroying the source of evil 98

The dragon who is the devil and Satan 99

Ruler of this world 100

The ancient serpent 102

The kings of the earth 109

Satan defeated 111

Satan's reign ended 117

Resisting the devil 118

5 The slaughter of the Lamb: accomplishing the redemption of creation 121

The Lamb 121

Christ, our Passover Lamb 125

The Passover in Exodus 127

Atonement 130

Purification 132

Sanctification 134

6 Feasting from the tree of life: reinvigorating the lives of people from every nation 138

Holy people in the New Jerusalem 139

Holiness and wholeness 151

The tree of life 155

Ecological transformation 157

Social transformation 163

7 Strong foundations and solid walls: living securely among the people of God 171

Old and New Testaments united 172

Genuine hope 174

A tale of two cities 175

8 Conclusion 188

Select bibliography 193

202