Face to Face with God

How can sinful humans approach a holy God? In the book of Hebrews, Jesus Christ is celebrated as the great high priest who represents his people before the Father. Jesus' roles as priest and mediator are central to his identity and bring to completion themes woven throughout Scripture. In this fifth ESBT volume, T. Desmond Alexander considers the often-neglected themes of priesthood and mediation and how Christ fulfills these roles. He explores how these concepts illuminate what Christ has already accomplished for us through his self-sacrifice, as well as what he is presently achieving on our behalf, seated at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Through this study we gain a richer understanding of concepts such as holiness, sacrifice, covenant, reconciliation, and God's dwelling place. Essential Studies in Biblical Theology (ESBT), edited by Benjamin L. Gladd, explore the central or essential themes of the Bible's grand storyline. Taking cues from Genesis 1–3, authors trace the presence of these themes throughout the entire sweep of redemptive history. Written for students, church leaders, and laypeople, the ESBT offers an introduction to biblical theology.



T. Desmond Alexander (PhD, The Queen's University of Belfast) is senior lecturer in biblical studies and director of postgraduate studies at Union Theological College in Belfast, Northern Ireland. His books include From Paradise to the Promised Land, From Eden to the New Jerusalem, and The City of God and the Goal of Creation. He is also coeditor of the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology.

Series Preface


Preface


Abbreviations


Introduction


1. Where Heaven and Earth Meet


2. The Portable Sanctuary


3. Holy to the Lord


4. Face to Face with God


5. The High Priest as Intercessor


6. The High Priest and Sacrifice


7. A Priest like Melchizedek


8. Mediator of a Better Covenant


9. A Royal Priesthood


Conclusion


Discussion Questions


Bibliography


Scripture Index

"Face to Face with God is another outstanding contribution to the ESBT series. Alexander does a superb job of explaining the important OT background that lies behind the wonderfully rich theological significance of the portrayal of Jesus Christ as Priest and Mediator in the book of Hebrews. A much-needed volume, this work pulls together numerous central themes of the OT—the presence of God, the function of the Tabernacle, the holiness of God, sacrifice and intercession, priesthood, covenant—and demonstrates how the trajectory of these themes comes together and finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ."



"Desmond Alexander does it again! As an Old Testament scholar par excellence, he shows the important yet often overlooked background for understanding the concept of the mediatorial priesthood of Christ in the book of Hebrews. In this inspirational and scholarly study, Alexander explores a treasure trove of significant details regarding the tabernacle/temple, sacrificial system, and priesthood in the First Testament. One cannot help but come away from this study with a greater sense of the work of Christ in providing a new and living way for every believer to enter into a face-to-face relationship with the living God."



"This short book is a rich biblical-theological feast. Desmond Alexander draws on a deep knowledge of the Old Testament and profound commitment to proclaim Christ from all the Scriptures to highlight the powerful implications that Jesus Christ is both our High Priest and Mediator. Careful exegesis is matched with sweeping theological insight—there are fresh observations on almost every page. This is Christ-centered biblical theology at its very best!" weniger anzeigen expand_less