Raised in Splendor: The Hope of Glorification for a Secular Age

by Jason B. Alligood

When most ponder on the Christian walk, they will likely run up on terms such as justification, sanctification, and glorification. This famous trio points to the faith that justifies the believer, the life in which the believer is sanctified through the gaining of wisdom through the reading of Scripture, the testing of life in a broken world, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but many simply view glorification as the final part of the journey, as if it does not have an important reality for the believer today.

We live in a world where the idea of being glorified is either viewed through the lens of something that will eventually come, but has little importance now, or has an overfocused importance where believers only focus on their entry into heaven. Both are wrongfooted. Pastor and Theologian Jason Alligood provides a message of hope for the thoughtful Christian today. In Raised in Splendor, Jason Alligood communicates the hope of glory that transcends the fears and frustrations of a secular age that not only points to the hope for the future glorification, but that this hope is one that can be enjoyed and appreciated today.

192 pages, Paperback

Published February 25, 2025

Reviews

[Ronni Kurtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the book in one sitting today for a possible endorsement. After finishing the manuscript, I was eager to endorse as Jason has given us a great (and very accessible) work on Glory.

Here's the working endorsement:

Raised in Splendor is the reversal of the well-meaning, but incorrect, axiom that being too heavenly minded will lead to being no Earthly good. Alligood helpfully reminds us that, on the contrary, we are called to set our minds on the things above. This book is a helpful exercise in the value of keeping the end in mind as we strive towards our true homeland. Alligood has done the church a great service by bringing a good deal of historical insight, biblical reasoning, and theological precision into an accessible book which reminds readers of the Christian’s great reward and our eternal hope—God himself.

[Victoria Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish this book had me on a cloud (so to speak) pointing to our hope in glorification! The implications of glorification in our justification, sanctification, the beatific vision, and ordinary means of grace were awesome to think about. Most notably, Dr. Alligood is faithful to the scriptures with a sweet melodic tune of 1 John 3:1-3 imbedded in each chapter. I’m so grateful to have read this book and would recommend this book to fellow brothers and sisters!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal book—broad in scope but united by the central theme of glorification. Alligood writes with theological precision and a pastoral heart, unpacking redemptive history. It doesn't hurt that he quotes many great theologians from throughout the history of the church, and I especially enjoyed the quotations from 2LBCF.

I met the author briefly a few weeks ago at a regional ETS conference, and found him to be very kind. I highly recommend this book.

[Carina Shephard · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC

[Andrew Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book! Taken from Jason’s concluding chapter, he gently refutes the quip that “one can be so heavenly minded that they’re no earthly good” by asserting that being heavenly minded (i.e., often contemplating the hope of our glorification that Christ has won for us) is truly the way to be earthly good!

I love the systematic theology of glorification in the first several chapters, but the last couple (how the hope of glorification impacts our own sanctification and daily Christian living) is what I found to be the most edifying as a reminder of how God uses the hope of glorification to fit us for glory!

Thankful for Jason and Amber both!!

[Adam Kareus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the three aspects of our salvation- justification, sanctification, and glorification the last one seems to be the least considered (at least in number of books written on it). Jason Alligood seeks to start correcting this through this book, which is a good introduction on glorification. Through this book, in which he walks through some of the basic elements of the Christian story, he paints the picture of where Christians are heading and why it matters.
So check it out.

[Caleb Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

An uplifting book about Christian hope.

[Lianna Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I believe I agreed with everything written in this book, still, it was a disappointment. The object of this book seemed to be: addressing a neglected doctrine (glorification). But I found more here about other doctrines: creation, the fall, sanctification, etc. While the hope of glory was interspersed, still I found the title doctrine sidelined. As a believer who has also been to seminary, I learned next to nothing new in this book. Again, I was hoping for more.

[Ryan Storch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was spiritually edifying and helps orients the believers ultimate hope. Alligood presents the doctrine of Glorification from a Reformed & Catholic perspective that is rooted in the scriptures. The only super minor drawback is the author present baptism from a Baptist perspective. But, outside of that minor disagreement this book was great!

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good systematic approach to this negated doctrine.

[Brandon Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Banger. Quotes all my favourite authors.