Habakkuk: A Wrestler with God by Walter J. Chantry

by Walter J. Chantry

Like many other characters in Scripture, the prophet Habakkuk word for 'embrace' and conveys the idea of a wrestler in an embrace with his opponent. As Walter Chantry shows in this absorbing book, Habakkuk lived out his name by wrestling with God in prayer in the midst of a national and international situation resembling our own in many respects. As we read his prophecy, we hear Habakkuk pray, then listen as the Almighty responds. The divine response at first seems overwhelming. Yet at its centre is a glorious revelation of the very heart of the gospel. In this brief exposition, previously published in the Banner of Truth magazine, Chantry draws out themes that are timely, challenging, but ultimately full of comfort.

Genres: Christian, Theology

Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Walter J. Chantry was born in 1938 at Norristown, Pennsylvania, raised in the Presbyterian Church; graduated B.A. in History from Dickinson College, Carlisle in 1960, and a B.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1963, from which time he has been pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Carlisle. He is married with three children.

Rev. Walter J. Chantry served as pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Carlisle, Pa., for thirty-nine years. Following that he edited The Banner of Truth magazine for almost seven years.

Reviews

[Felipe Sabino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terceira leitura. Pequena joia.

[Colin Fast · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful foray into Habakkuk from Walter Chantry.

Easy to read and timely. Could have gone for a little more engagement at a few points but perhaps not the book for that (he does point the reader to other resources where pertinent).

[Mick Maurer · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Habakkuk: A Wrestler with God’ (2008) by Walter J Chantry who graduated from Dickinson College in 1960 with a B.A. in History, went on to receive a B.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1963. That same year he was called to be pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania where he served for the next 39 years. Soon after his retirement in 2002, he was asked to be the editor of The Banner of Truth magazine & continued in this ministry for 7 years.
He has also written, ‘The Shadow of the Cross’, ‘Signs of the Apostles’, ‘Today’s Gospel: authentic or synthetic?’, ‘The Covenants of Works & of Grace’, & “Compromising Truth & Practice’.
Like many other characters in Scripture, the prophet Habakkuk bore a significant name. 'Habakkuk' is a form of the Hebrew word for "embrace' & conveys the idea of a wrestler in an embrace with his opponent. As Walter Chantry shows in his book, Habakkuk lived out his name by wrestling with God in prayer in the midst of a national & international situation resembling our own in many respects. As we read his prophecy, we hear Habakkuk pray, then Listen as the Almighty responds. The divine response at first seems over-whelming. Yet at its center is a glorious revelation of the very heart of the gospel (Hab. 2:4). In this brief exposition, previously published in the Banner of Truth magazine.
The book is a diary of three prayers by Habakkuk & two answers by the Most High God, one for each of the first two prayers. God set him aside to be God’s spokesman, to declare the very words of God.
The first recorded prayer is in 1:2-4. The journal does not begin at the beginning. Habakkuk has been praying about the matter before his diary of prayer began. The second prayer questioned how a holy God could countenance triumph (1:12-2:11). Now the second revelation by God to Habakkuk (2:2-20).The third & final prayer (3:1-19), the answer is not spoken by the Lord, but the answer is worked into the heart & words of Habakkuk

[Adam T. Calvert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chantry wrote a very warm and applicable commentary on the book of Habakkuk. While it was originally written as a prophecy to (and against) ancient Jerusalem, he exegetically demonstrates how applicable this prophecy still is today.

It’s not a technical commentary; but it’s still a terrific read. His excursus on the subject of prayer is worth the price of the book alone.

Highly recommended, either as a devotional commentary or even just a devotional book period.

[Amanda Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pequeno mais denso

Não me foi novidade muito do escrito, quase que um comentário do livro, o autor passeia pelos principais versos e um pouco do contexto de forma bem pontual, mas o que me marcou na leitura foi a aplicação cirúrgica e desafiadora em fé para nossos tempos, podia sentir o quebrantamento do autor ao ler o livro. Simples, apaixonante e encorajador para os tempos que vivemos.

[JV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Li de uma só vez todo o livro em poucas horas. É maximamente conveniente ao momento de crise que passamos. Os erros de digitação incomodaram um pouco, mas de forma alguma empanaram a leitura. Vali-me da edição kindle da monergismo.

[Brian Algie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chantry has offered a helpful commentary on the book of Habakkuk. This is not technical, in terms of Hebrew language use, but pastoral in showing you how the prophecy of Habakkuk was understood in the prophets day, and seeing its applicability in our own day as well.

[Vianny D'Souza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid commentary on Habakkuk. Did not agree with a few things in the beginning but it kept getting better and better as it went along.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been a while since I read it., but I remember absolutely loving it.