From the Shadows to the Savior: Christ in the Old Testament

by Douglas Van Dorn

Few subjects are as important--yet ignored or misapplied--as the one addressed in this book. Jesus Christ is the absolute center and focus of the totality of God’s word. Many people confess this belief, since Jesus himself taught it (Luke 24:27; John 5:39). Christians have done well to see this on one or two levels, yet truly understanding just how primary he is as an actor—even in the Old Testament—is something few have considered. In this book, adapted from a series of blog posts for the Decablog, Douglas Van Dorn helps us see the light of Christ that emerges from the dark hallways of Scriptures that so many find outdated, unintelligible, and irrelevant for today’s Church. Learn how Christ is found in such things as prophecy, typology, and the law. Then, come in for a deeper study of how the Person himself is actually present, walking, speaking, and acting, beginning in the very first book of the Bible. Learn how words such as “Word,” “Name,” “Glory,” and “Wisdom” are all ideas that the Scripture itself attaches to Christ who in the OT is called The Angel of the LORD. Then see if such ideas don’t radically change the way you think about all of God’s word in this truly life-changing summary of Christ in the Old Testament.

Genres: Christian

118 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2015

Reviews

[Laurence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably more like 3.7 stars really. I did enjoy the book after getting the recommendation, and with it being a new topic that I haven't really been exposed to before - I probably am persuaded about the key points. Main detracting point though was that I found myself repeatedly asking "Ok, but so what?" throughout. I can see there may be a bit of an application in apologetics to Abrahamic religions, but couldn't see many implications past this. One for me to explore more on I think.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Van Dorn is a Reformed Baptist pastor in Colorado. In this small book (about 100 pages) he has given a good clear introduction to seeing Christ in the Old Testament. The book started as a series of blog posts, but Van Dorn has done a good job of turning them into a book. I would without hesitation recommend this to any Christian who wants to begin learning how to see Christ in the Old Testament. He writes clearly, his examples are pertinent, and the explanations are helpful.

[Alan Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

The author expands on seven ideas, that Christ represents the Angel, the Word, the Name, the Wisdom, The Son, the Glory, and the Arm of the LORD, to find Christ in the Old Testament.

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reminder of the Christocentric theme of all of Scripture focusing on His presence in the Old Testament. Short and to the point. Easy to understand and not buried in technical jargon. The study questions at the end of each chapter would make this a great resource for a Sunday school class or Wednesday Night prayer meeting discussion.