Ichthus

by Sinclair B. Ferguson, Derek W.H. Thomas

Ichthus is the Greek word for a fish. Its five Greek letters form the first letters of the early Christian confession that 'Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Saviour.' To draw a fish sign meant: 'I am a Christian.'

To be a Christian, according to the New Testament is to know Christ. But who is he, and what is the meaning of his life? In Ichthus Sinclair Ferguson and Derek Thomas answer these questions by taking us on a tour of nine key events in Jesus' life and ministry. Their aim is to help us both understand and share the confession of those early Christians who drew the fish sign.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction

166 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2015

About the author

Sinclair B. Ferguson is Associate Preacher at St Peter's Free Church in Dundee and also Distinguished Visiting Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina and prior to that, he was minister of St. George's-Tron Church in Glasgow.

Reviews

[Jethro Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich and accessible theology tracing significant events in the life of Jesus.

“So now the one who was ‘gentle and lowly in heart’, who offered to the bruised and beaten ‘rest’ for their souls is treated roughly, with arrogance, and is himself bruised and beaten down.”

[Brittany Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! No fluff. Solid reflections and teachings on the life and work of Christ. It's always refreshing to find a book where I'm learning new information on topics I thought I already knew. My favorite chapters were the first 3 about the Incarnation, the Baptism, and the Temptation. I loved how the authors clearly laid out Jesus as the second Adam, how he came to do (and succeeded at) what Adam failed to do. There were a lot of things they pulled out that I hadn't thought about before.

Even just the way they laid the book out, the progression from event to event was a simplistic and powerful way to see the story of Jesus, each chapter so rich. I also enjoyed their use of hymns throughout- so much solid theology in those songs that we miss in today's worship. If we don't sing them, we might as well read them! I would highly recommend this book. Here are a couple excerpts that caught my attention:

"Jesus has come to gain victory where there has been defeat, to obey where there has been disobedience, to effect justification where there has been condemnation, to bring freedom where there has been bondage, to bring healing where there has been sickness, wholeness where there has been disintegration, reconciliation where there has been alienation, to bring blessing where there has been curse, and life where there has been death."

"[there is] a biblical pattern in which God accomplishes his most powerful works in darkness: at first creation, at the cross of Calvary, in the garden tomb in the resurrection, and here in the coming of his Son, in the darkness of the womb of the Virgin."

[of his trial] "This is why Jesus remained silent. His was not the silence of guilt and shame as ours is, but the silence of willingness to accept these charges instead of me: 'In my place condemned he stood.'"

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book caught my attention and my heart from the get-go. Ferguson and Thomas guide the reader through a deeper exploration of nine key scripture passages about ICHTHUS: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. The theology is solid, and the content spiritually nourishing for Christians at all levels of maturity. I found myself looking forward to reading, then savoring the experience. For me, very few books have provided this ideal combination of joy, challenge, and resulting growth. Very highly recommended!

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sinclair Ferguson and Derek Thomas are two of my favorite current Bible scholars, and it was a pleasure to read this book written by them both. It succinctly illustrates Christ's earthly ministry and applies it to the Christian's life in the most hopeful way. This is a book that leaves you awestruck with who Christ is and who we are in Him.

[Ben Hegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal. I have just finished this book. The authors walk us through the main events in the life of Christ with great clarity, insight and profound expository thoughts. I love the work of both of these men because they so clearly show me the Saviour, Jesus Christ. I especially loved the last chapter because my favourite subject is when faith becomes sight and we see Christ. What a vivid picture they present of the return of Christ and what will happen when we are with him in the final pages. This book also helped me clarify the Reformed view of the person of Christ over the Lutheran view. Briefly, this is that the Holy Spirit came upon Christ in a special way in His life for miracles, etc, not that the divine and human natures mixed. Very helpful and it comes out throughout the book. I wish I'd read this book sooner. It's one that I'll definitely return to in the future. Extremely highly recommended!

[Anna Chviedaruk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Это очень освежающая книга.
Мне очень нравится формат: авторы проводят нас через главные события жизни Христа, указывая на значение этих событий как в жизни Христа, так и для человечества, Его характер, служение нам и цели. Идея проста, но достаточно креативна. А способ, каким всё объясняет свеж, очень искреннен и глубок. Приятно посмотреть на давно известные события под новым углом, новым языком и с более аккуратными богословскими подробностями.

Эту книгу смело можно рекомендовать и тем, кто только ищет ответы о том, кто такой Христос.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two amazing writers and expository preachers giving a brief walk through of the life of Christ. It tells of the passive and active obedience of Christ. There are no long systematic explanations of the work of Christ or word studies. Rather it takes a look at who Christ is and what he has done for his people. There is a call to action to not neglect the Lords Supper which we all can take to heart.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ferguson and Thomas are amazing preachers and their sermons here in book form are just as amazing.

Reading through these 9 great moments in the life and ministry of Jesus give the reader a glorious picture of the fullness of Christ and his active and passive obedience. The last page is a rousing call for thebl Christian to live in light of the fellowship we have in Christ and the hope of His return.

[Cathy Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book to challenge your thinking. Favorite authors!

[Kristijan Fogarasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It redirected my heart to the truth of the gospel in its entirety: The gospel is not about me, it’s about Jesus Christ.

[Deborah Laajanen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shed tears of gratitude as I read of such profound exposition of the life, death, and ascension of Christ.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would put 6 stars out of 5 if I could

[Martha Cathcart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book but a little hard to read.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highlights:
Jesus' Incarnation
"That creative speech of God described in Genesis chapter 1 was not simply a sound. No, it was -- and still is -- a person! The entire created order has a personal, not an impersonal foundation. What brought it into being was not a temporal force but God's eternal Son." "Behind everything stands a person. We are not alone in the universe, imprisoned in a vast 'clockwork orange'. For in the very beginning was the Word." This Word -- says John -- 'was God'. (7)

The preposition 'with' translates the Greek word 'pros', which means 'towards'. The Word was not merely with God in a general sense, he was towards God." (8) "But now, having described the intimacy of this relationship, John takes us a breathtaking step further: the Word who was 'face to face' with God has come 'face to face' with us. He has entered into our world, and indeed into the reality of the human condition." (9)

Jesus' Baptism
"For in this baptism of judgment, John is declaring to Jesus, 'You are here named among sinners; you are someone who is identified with covenant-breakers.' In this sense, Jesus is being 'named (numbered with the transgressors'.' From now on, we might say, his name is 'Sinner'. (17)

"This, then, is the inner significance of Jesus' baptism. It is as though he is being named a covenant-violator. He is identifying himself with us in our sins. Symbolically the water into which the sins of the repentant people have been washed is now pouring over his head! He is taking them upon himself as our Sin-Bearer and Savior." (18) "...Jesus takes the curse. This is what his baptism means." (18)

Jesus' Temptation
Why does Luke trace Jesus' lineage back to Adam? Jesus is the second Adam (man). "What Luke is doing then is setting our Lord's ministry within the cosmic context to which it belongs. Jesus has entered into the bloodline of Adam. As the Second Man and the last Adam he is being led onto the front line to do battle against Satan. This is a replay of Eden, but this time -- as Mark points out -- not in a garden where the animals were named by and obedient to Adam, and where food and beauty abounded. He was in a wilderness where there was neither food nor water, and where wild animals roamed. Jesus has come to gain victory where there has been defeat, to obey where there has been disobedience, ... In short this temptation narrative tells us that what Adam failed to do, Jesus has come to do." (39) "So Luke does not portray Jesus as the victim of temptation. Rather, he is the aggressor. He is 'the strong Son of God' who 'goes forth to war' against the powers of darkness." (41) "Thus the devil was attempting to blind-side Jesus to his calling. Although he is in the form of God so that equality with God is not something that he needs to grasp, his present calling is to humble himself as a servant and become obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. The real issue is whether he is going to follow through on this covenant with his Father and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, endure the state of humiliation." (44) "Where Adam sought exaltation, Jesus embraced humiliation. Of course, this is the whole point. What lies behind each and all of the devil's strategies is his attempt to distort Jesus' commitment to this ministry and to divert him from the way of humiliation." (45)
"This is what the Son of God came into the world to accomplish. Yes, he came to forgive our sins. But the forgiveness of sins was also a means to the creation of a new humanity and the restoration of the created order. That is why after his death and resurrection and in view of his ascension to the throne of God, Jesus announced, 'All authority (or dominion) in heaven and on earth has been given to me.' What was lost by Adam has now been restored in Christ." (47)

Jesus' Transformation
". . . pulled aside the veil to reveal his divine glory." (71)

Garden of Gethsemane
"In Gethsemane the veil is pulled aside to reveal his humanity." (71) "And in this human nature he 'learned obedience through what he suffered'. He discovered increasingly what it would mean for him to be the Mediator between a Holy God and sinful humanity." (72) "Jesus stands on the edge of that precipice in which an individual comes apart emotionally. Such is the strain. This is what is involved as he enters into the unique horror of making atonement, of being someone who knew no sin but was made sin for others." "What Jesus sees is the unmitigated wrath and anger of God unleashed against covenant-breakers. There is no mercy here. He is contemplating taking the place and undergoing the curse due to 'sinners in the hands of an angry God'." (75)

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think for a moment of the most admirable person you know. Imagine a book written about every aspect of their life, delving into their mind and emotions with insight and practical detail. A book that reveals more of who they are and provides both knowledge and increased feeling of intimacy with that person.
That is this book. Jesus is so glorified and so beautifully described. At times I was moved to tears by the wonderful thoughts and theological insights offered here. Although no book can comprehensively give an understanding of Jesus, Ichthus is rich with both factual information and gloriously poetic worship.
I plan to refer back to it in study, re-read it for personal growth, and recommend it to everyone who knows how to read.

[Blake Western · Rating 4 out of 5]

The two authors take us on a journey to visit nine events in the life of Christ. Each chapter is well written and to the point. There are some stimulating viewpoints that I had not considered before. It is a good basic book about the life of Christ which will benefit both new Christians as well as mature Christians.

[Seth Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful look at the person and work of Jesus Christ.

[James Moore]

Excellent book. The chapter on Gethsemane is worth the entire book.