Ultimate Intention

by Devern F. Fromke

From the back "The author considers these critical *In the beginning, before God created Adam (mankind), what was His original purpose and plan for him? *What could have happened in the Garden of Eden if Adam had not sinned and God's redemptive plan had not become necessary? *We know that when God created Adam he received natural life, but how did God plan for Adam to receive Divine (uncreated life)? *What is the difference between God's creating and begetting work? *It is evident that God has given the Cross a central place in His redemptive working; what is the difference between the WORK of the Cross and the WAY of the Cross? *Since God in the fullness of time, will put on display His Divine masterpiece before all the universe, how can we fully cooperate with him if we do not understand His Ultimate Intention?"

Genres: Theology, Christian, Spirituality

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

All too often we interpret God’s plans and purposes with an attitude and orientation that is man-centred. While there may be a real concern for understanding Biblical truths, approaching them from a finite, self centred, location tends to restrict our ability to grasp the fullness and wonders of these facts. What is needed is an examination of God’s purposes and intentions using Him as the centre. Modern day scholars have a term for such a radical change of thinking. It is known as a paradigm shift. Any other approach to God leaves one centred in self, and short of understanding God’s “ultimate” intentions. Using a myriad of helpful illustrations, DeVern Fromke masterfully addresses this issue.

This book is an opportunity for the author to put across his point of view that God’s ultimate purpose was not for Him to create man, for man to sin and then for God to redeem man. What Fromke says in this book was that man was never meant to sin, but God knew that man would and He put in place a plan to redeem humanity. For many of us, however, we think that this is it, redemption was the ultimate purpose. The author goes beyond this and at times stresses his disappointment that the church of today is stuck in this redemptive process and is not actually looking for what God had in store for mankind.
Fromke tries very hard, and succeeds in, reminding us that God’s ultimate purpose was not to have man fall and then use the rest of time redeeming him, rather God has had a purpose for man planned out before the beginning of time and the fall was something man chose when he turned from God.

“How shall we make it clear that there is an eternal purpose hidden in the Father which has never been involved in time? This is clearly set forth by Paul in Ephesians 1:4, ‘According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world…’” – chapter 1, page 23

The author backs up his theology by the use of ‘blackboards’ as visual aids. These are placed periodically throughout the book and I personally found them to be a tremendously useful aid in helping to understand what Fromke was trying to put across.

Fromke tries to get us to see things from God’s point of view. He looks at creation from the moment God created it and not from the time of Adam’s fall, which is a viewpoint that some in the church are guilty of looking from. This book challenges us not to fall into the ‘get’ way of life. It talks about us wanting God for our own selfish desires rather than wanting God for His own glory.

“Therefore it is imperative that we direct every believer to develop a truly God-centred philosophy of life – this means we must see all things as properly related to God and His ultimate intention.”
Chapter 1, page 15

The writing within this book flows with each chapter a self-contained lesson which works really well. Together with the aforementioned ‘blackboards’ the lessons are clear and precise even though the topics he is touching upon are very deep and theological. Fromke manages to work his way through the many different subjects surrounding redemption and finally the mysteries of God’s ultimate purpose with an uncomplicated grace.

I really like the the thinking within this book which so matches my thoughts and I will be making sure that this book is re-read in future. Fromke has an excellent writing style which makes it easy for us that are not so academically minded to understand.

[Thomas Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not an easy read. Not because of the writing style or that it was not well written, but because it challenges traditional beliefs. Some may say that it is new doctrine, however, my interpretation is that it reveals undiscovered truths that have been around since the beginning of creation.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read to give us Gods purpose for us and not our purpose for God.

[Tom Crowder]

This is a book that should change your life for the better. If you are familiar with the Holy Bible this book will take you on a journey to discover the Person of God!

[Joshua Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though Fromke writes in terms unfamiliar to most evangelical readers, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It will broaden your horizons to catch a glimpse of God's eternal purpose in Christ, forever changing your perspective to encompass the whole of God's will rather than just individual parts.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first things we need to know about being a Christian.

[Jaelle Hamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short chapter a day is all you need to be reminded about what it means to be a son and daughter of God.