Deus Misereatur

  Rebels and Exiles: A Biblical Theology of Sin and Redemption Matthew S. Harmon IVP Academic www.ivpress.com ISBN:  978-0-8308-5541-4; October 2020; $22.00   Many centuries ago an African pastor and theologian wrote the story of his life as a prayer. He began his prayerful tale with these words, “You awake us to delight in your praise; for you made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you” (Augustine, “Confessions,” Book 1, Sec. 1). That restless longing is chronicled in a new 184-page paperback by Matthew S. Harmon, commentary writer, author, and professor of New Testament studies at Grace College and Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. “Rebels and Exiles: A Biblical Theology of Sin and Redemption,” one of the most recent installments in IVP Academic’s “The Essential Studies in Biblical Theology” edited by Benjamin L. Gladd, is an easy trek through the Scripture’s story, circling back round to the longing of our restless hearts.  

  Okay. It may not be the most thrilling book you'll ever read, but it is very useful, well thought out, and instructive. Robert G. Rayburn wrote this volume in the early 1980s as an elder pastor to ministerial students and young ministers. It develops the rationale of seeing the Sunday morning worship assembly not as evangelistic; not as a Christian version of a Tupperware party; but as a time when Christians gather in dialogical adoration of God. Rayburn gives many persuasive reasons and reflections on how to see each element of worship in this way. He does write from a Presbyterian and Reformed perspective, but he draws on church history, the Book of Common Prayer, and other traditions. And most of all, he is guided by the sacred Scriptures. This volume should be read as if you were sitting down with an older Christian minister who is graciously coaching you as a worship leader and as a pastor. In the end, you may not embrace everything he recommends, but you will see the worshi

  “ I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation ” (Psalm 18:1-3, 46). Holy God, we pray for all nations and countries, these United States of America, and for the leaders of the world. O God be gracious to us and bless us and make your face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you (Psalm 67:1-5)! We give you thanks for the bounty of the rain and showers this year. Help us in this State to be good