With so many books on preaching already published and with so many sermons readily available online, why another? Because this book presents some of the finest notes for those who are eager to learn more of Christ-centered, expository preaching and teaching that touches head, heart, and hands. Ed Clowney demonstrates with clarity, cogency, and compassion all that a herald of King Jesus is called to do and be. It is a book to be read and then re-read, not only for professional development in preaching and teaching, but also—and perhaps more importantly—for spiritual nourishment as it propels us onward and upward to the risen and exalted Christ, the glorious "unfolding mystery" of all the Scriptures.
In reading the Old Testament many Christians see loosely connected narratives which are understood as happy and sad stories telling us how to, and how not to, live. But we miss the overarching grand narrative —- the account of how mankind possessed everything, lost everything, and how God raised up one nation to repossess what was lost. Edmund Clowney in The Unfolding Mystery shows us how Israel's stumbling and bumbling leads to the one man, Jesus Christ, in whom all the narratives of the Old Testament come together into the greatest story, that of repossessing everything that God intends for his people. Ed enables us to see the Old Testament as a single thrilling narrative that brings us to Jesus, the restorer of all that was lost who leads his people to something more than they can dare to imagine.
This is a breathtaking sweep across the breadth of the Word of God! It is simply "epic" in its God glorifying majesty! I did not want it to end. Dr. Clowney magnifies the wonder of the Bible's holy refrain; behold the Christ, the ultimate prophet, priest and King! One's faith grows in direct proportion to one's grasp of the person and work of Christ. I cannot remember another book, outside of the Bible itself, that has so enhanced my mental clarity and enflamed my heart's delight in my Savior more than The Unfolding Mystery. In this second edition two covenant heirs; Grandfather, Ed Clowney and Grand daughter, Eowyn Stoddard, combine their efforts to both embody and express covenant blessing in this glorious work that magnifies the Covenant Maker Himself. This is a treasure to be savored slowly and prayerfully. To read this quickly is to rob oneself of some of the sweetest tastes of Biblical grace and truth that God's Word discloses about our beloved King and Savior. Oh, come, taste and see that the Lord is indeed good!
Many Christians, particularly Protestants, functionally believe that the New Testament is the real Bible. They may hesitantly add the Book of Psalms. In The Unfolding Mystery Edmund Clowney shows us how impoverished a view of the Bible this is; indeed, how impoverished a view of Christ himself this is. For Christ was not only foretold in the Old Testament, but is woven into the its entire fabric. There would have been no Messiah, no Son of God, no unique way, truth and life, in the New Testament without all that transpired in the Old. In this volume Dr. Clowney presents Jesus Christ eloquently, even passionately, as the savior of sinners, their defender and friend. This is a book to be read slowly, for it contains countless treasures and spiritual insights.
Edmund Clowney was the master of rich, heartwarming, doxological preaching, showing us that Christ is indeed the central theme of all of the Scriptures. This wonderful book is both a fitting legacy for him and an inspiring introduction to his work for a new generation of Christians.
If you want to discover the story line that drives all the stories of the Bible and if you want that story to change you, you should read The Unfolding Mystery. Edmund Clowney brings an artist’s zeal for coherent beauty together with a pastor/scholar’s love for Jesus Christ to these pages. Read this book with some friends, taking time to discuss the questions at the end of each chapter. By all means give it to your pastor. If he cannot preach Christ from the Old Testament, he should not be in the pulpit.
The importance of this theme—the Old Testament pointing to Christ—is great . . . For this reason, Dr. Clowney’s admirable treatment of it should be greatly valued; it fills a gap, and supplies a felt need. Expect your heart to be stirred, as well as your head cleared, as you read.
On the trek from Jerusalem to Emmaus, two downcast disciples found their broken hearts transformed into burning hearts, as the Stranger showed them in Israel’s Scriptures God’s plan for his beloved Christ to pass through suffering into glory, redeeming his people. Over the last quarter century, Edmund Clowney’s The Unfolding Mystery has guided thousands of readers along the same path through the Old Testament on which Jesus led those two, replacing shattered dreams with confident joy. Come, meet the Hero of all history—the last Adam, Abraham’s promised son, the Servant of the Lord, the Rock struck to give others life, the anointed warrior-king, the prince of peace, the Lord whose longed-for arrival has brought us salvation. As you discover Christ throughout the Old Testament, you will find his Spirit setting your heart ablaze with love for him who loved and loves you so.
The importance of this theme—the Old Testament pointing to Christ—is great . . . For this reason, Dr. Clowney’s admirable treatment of it should be greatly valued; it fills a gap, and supplies a felt need. Expect your heart to be stirred, as well as your head cleared, as you read.
