The New Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Student Workbook, SW13

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T H E N E W T E S T A M E N T W I T N E S S T O C H R I S T A N D H I S K I N G D O M

A P P E N D I X 1 4

Readings on Christ Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

What Is Christianity without Christ?

Christianity without Christ is a chest without its treasure, a frame without a portrait, a corpse without breath.

~ John Stott. Focus on Christ. Cleveland: William Collins Publishers, Inc., 1979.

What Is the Bible all About?

What is the Bible all about? How can I understand its meaning? Why are there sixty-six books in the Bible? How do I know it is the Word of God?

All of these questions can be answered in one word - Christ.

Jesus Christ is the key to both the inspiration and the interpretation of the Bible. Further, it is Christ who confirmed the collection of books as both complete and authoritative.

~ Norman Geisler. A Popular Survey of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1977. p. 11.

The End of the Line

[Matthew] is being deliberately schematic [i.e., providing us with a big picture], with a theological intention. He is pointing out that Old Testament history falls into three approximately equal spans of time between the critical events: • from the foundational covenant with Abraham to the establishing of the monarchy under David; • from David to the destruction and loss of the monarchy in the Babylonian exile; • and from the exile to the coming of the Messiah himself who alone could occupy the throne of David. Jesus is thus ‘the end of the line,’ as far as the Old Testament story goes. It has run its completed course in preparation for him, and now its goal and climax has been reached.

~ Christopher J. H. Wright. Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1992. pp. 6-7.