J. Alec Motyer’s A Christian’s Pocket Guide to Loving the Old Testament is a small but powerful book that can revolutionize your understanding of Scripture. Instead of fragmenting your view of the Old Testament, it illuminates the cohesive and continuous narrative woven through both testaments, revealing how they work together.
Motyer masterfully explores the unity of Scripture, highlighting key aspects such as how the Old Testament prepares us for the arrival of Jesus, provides essential context for New Testament teachings, and unveils God’s character in ways that New Testament authors build upon. He skillfully traces the singular story of the Messiah from creation to the annunciation, connecting the dots for a richer understanding.
This Christian’s Pocket Guide isn’t just theoretical. Throughout the book, Motyer includes practical study tips to help you engage with the text. He offers insightful asides and thought-provoking questions to encourage deeper reflection. What truly sets this guide apart is the pastoral heart that beats beneath Motyer’s scholarly expertise. He connects academic understanding with genuine faith and practical application.
Consider Matthew 26:51-54, where Jesus instructs Peter to sheath his sword, explaining that everything must unfold according to Scripture. Motyer reflects:
“Do you see how he tied himself to the Word of God? If we follow the Lord Jesus Christ, we are following the supreme Bible Man. Don’t ever be ashamed of being thought of as being tied to Holy Scripture. You’re following in the steps of Jesus who bound himself to the Word of God, and insisted by his obedience to fulfill what was written of him.”
Jesus Christ, the central figure connecting the Old and New Testaments, demonstrating the importance of God’s Word.
Ultimately, J. Alec Motyer’s goal in A Christian’s Pocket Guide is to cultivate a love for the entire Bible, encouraging readers to embrace it as the complete counsel of God, where they can personally encounter Him. In a world that often compartmentalizes faith, this guide offers a refreshing invitation to see the unified story of redemption.
J. Alec Motyer provides a Christian’s Pocket Guide intended to help you appreciate the whole Bible and treat it as God’s complete counsel, where He anticipates you will meet Him.
(Find the paperback edition here or download the audio version here.)
