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Mediator: A Biblical Theology
240 pages, Paperback
Published June 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Vern Poythress writes in a very simple style that might trick you into thinking he doesn't have much to say. I may have fallen into that trap in the past. But everyone who knows him says he is a genius, and I don't doubt them. And I believe his refusal to be flashy serves him well in this work (and also commends his personal character).
Poythress' goal seems simple--to walk through the various means that God uses to mediate his presence to his people, whether it be angels or the ark or any number of things. He then shows how these mediators prefigure the threefold office of prophet, priest, and king. At times the work seemed : simply an exposition of that office, though Poythress does bring in other themes as well, such as the point that mediators consistently suffer in Scripture.
I particularly appreciated his care with the many theophanies in the OT (the author has written an entire book on that subject). He never says, "That's Jesus!" Instead he shows how those revelations : foreshadow the Coming One. I find that to be a helpful interpretative move.
The NT portion of the book is surprisingly short. Poythress does not full together the myriad threads he's been spinning throughout the bulk of the work. I guess he is leaving that to the reader. But he does point to Christ while also showing how in his opinion the church serves as a mediator. I have long been unconvinced of the church's role as prophet, priest, and king, but he does make a few good points. I'll have to keep thinking. Among others, that's a sign of a well-written book.
Poythress' goal seems simple--to walk through the various means that God uses to mediate his presence to his people, whether it be angels or the ark or any number of things. He then shows how these mediators prefigure the threefold office of prophet, priest, and king. At times the work seemed : simply an exposition of that office, though Poythress does bring in other themes as well, such as the point that mediators consistently suffer in Scripture.
I particularly appreciated his care with the many theophanies in the OT (the author has written an entire book on that subject). He never says, "That's Jesus!" Instead he shows how those revelations : foreshadow the Coming One. I find that to be a helpful interpretative move.
The NT portion of the book is surprisingly short. Poythress does not full together the myriad threads he's been spinning throughout the bulk of the work. I guess he is leaving that to the reader. But he does point to Christ while also showing how in his opinion the church serves as a mediator. I have long been unconvinced of the church's role as prophet, priest, and king, but he does make a few good points. I'll have to keep thinking. Among others, that's a sign of a well-written book.
June 30, 2026
It was interesting to take a tour through the Bible and consider the various ways God has used created things to mediate His authority, power, and presence to the world. I had never really thought about Scripture in quite this way before, and I found the approach intriguing.
Perhaps the most surprising idea for me was the suggestion that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was intended to teach Adam and Eve discernment and knowledge while keeping them pure—forming in them the ability to resist temptation. Of course, that is not how this mediatorial “living object” functioned in the end.
One question I am left with concerns how broadly the category of “mediator” is applied to people, objects, and angels. Scripture is very clear that Jesus is the one Mediator between God and man. I found myself wondering whether that clarity becomes somewhat less distinct within the scope of this book’s broader thesis. That is the question I am left with.
Perhaps the most surprising idea for me was the suggestion that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was intended to teach Adam and Eve discernment and knowledge while keeping them pure—forming in them the ability to resist temptation. Of course, that is not how this mediatorial “living object” functioned in the end.
One question I am left with concerns how broadly the category of “mediator” is applied to people, objects, and angels. Scripture is very clear that Jesus is the one Mediator between God and man. I found myself wondering whether that clarity becomes somewhat less distinct within the scope of this book’s broader thesis. That is the question I am left with.
July 20, 2026
A primer on mediatorship from Old Testament to New. Newer believers just beginning to read Scripture to the older, more seasoned Christians will find it useful. Some beautiful observations inside - such as how Esther is actually an image of Christ the Mediator. It is worth your time.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews