Hearing the Message of Daniel: Sustaining Faith in Today’s World
Author
Christopher J. H. Wright
Publisher Info
Zondervan, 2017, 248 pp.
Category
Biblical Studies
Summary
These ten chapters of exposition on the book of Daniel were first prepared as a sermon series for All Nations College, and expanded over time. This book of sermons stresses the need to be embedded in a foreign culture with grace and goodness in mind. While living in an evil culture, we can serve as promoters of the good while standing firmly for God’s kingdom. The book of Daniel seeks a conciliatory foundation for work in a time of rising evil, working with governments as trusted advisers and counselors. Where the prophetic is needed, the groundwork of steady and exemplary work provides a listening ear by those in government.
Wright himself points out that this is not a commentary, nor an attempt to answer the critical questions often addressed by academics. Wright does not enter into extended commentary on Daniel’s visions, nor contorted numberings of days, nor even speculations of kingdoms and powers beyond what has obviously already been fulfilled.
Rather, the book of Daniel is intended to be “an encouragement to God’s people in the midst of hostile and threatening cultures and to affirm God’s sovereign control of all that happens, even as fallen human beings ‘do as they please’ in exercising their own rebellious wills in opposition to God and his people” (p. 12).
Benefit for Pastoral Ministry
Hearing the Message of Daniel could easily become an outline for a sermon series on Daniel. If your penchant is towards the sensational, Wright will not be for you. If you desire is to preach a message of forgiveness, of non-compromise, of love for your enemies—jump in!
Chris Wright has written widely, particularly on the Old Testament. His searchlight in these pages falls upon the need to read the text while not extending past the text into extremes of speculation. This book could be turned over to an avid reader and they will not need to wade through prolonged arguments in order to come to the meat of the text.
Rating
Essential — Recommended — Helpful — Pass It By
This review was written by Ron Baker.
