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Book Cover for: Face to Face with God: A Biblical Theology of Christ as Priest and Mediator, T. Desmond Alexander

Face to Face with God: A Biblical Theology of Christ as Priest and Mediator

T. Desmond Alexander

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.

About the Series

Essential Studies in Biblical Theology (ESBT), edited by Benjamin L. Gladd and L. Michael Morales, 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 accessible yet rich introduction to biblical theology.

Book Details

  • Publisher: IVP Academic
  • Publish Date: Mar 22nd, 2022
  • Pages: 176
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 8.40in - 5.40in - 0.60in - 0.50lb
  • EAN: 9780830842957
  • Categories: • Christian Theology - Christology• Biblical Studies - New Testament - General Epistles• Christian Theology - Systematic

About the Author

Alexander, T. Desmond: -

T. Desmond Alexander is senior lecturer in biblical studies and director of postgraduate studies at Union Theological College in Belfast, Northern Ireland. From 1980 to 1999, he was lecturer in Semitic studies at the Queen's University of Belfast. His main field of research is the Pentateuch, about which he has written extensively in academic journals and books. Alexander also has a special interest in the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. He is the author of From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Main Themes of the Pentateuch and Abraham in the Negev, and he is a coeditor (with Brian S. Rosner) of the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology (IVP, 2000).

Gladd, Benjamin L.: -

Benjamin L. Gladd received a PhD in Biblical and Theological studies from Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, and previously served as an adjunct faculty member at Wheaton College, teaching New Testament exegesis and interpretation, Greek, and introductory courses on the Old and New Testaments. Gladd is the author of Revealing the Mysterion and lives with his wife and two children.

Praise for this book

"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!"