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God's Relational Presence: The Cohesive Center of Biblical Theology
Two leading biblical scholars and bestselling authors offer a fresh approach to the question of the unity of the whole Bible. This book shows that God's desire to be with his people is a thread running from Genesis through Revelation. Duvall and Hays make the case that God's relational presence is central to the Bible's grand narrative. It is the cohesive center that drives the whole biblical story and ties together other important biblical themes, such as covenant, kingdom, glory, and salvation history.
416 pages, Paperback
Published November 19, 2019
31 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
J. Scott Duvall
39 books38 followersJ. Scott Duvall (PhD. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is professor of New Testament at Ouachita Baptist University. He is the coauthor with George H. Guthrie of Biblical Greek Exegesis: A Graded Approach to Learning Intermediate and Advanced Greek and with Terry G. Carter and J. Daniel Hays of the textbook Preaching God's Word: A Hands on Approach to Preparing, Developing and Delivering the Sermon.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 31, 2020
I’ll never read the Bible the same. Gods desire to be with his people, ultimately for all eternity through Jesus Christ, drives the Story of the Bible.
December 14, 2019
There are getting to be quite a few large volumes on biblical theology available to Christian readers today. Many of them are scholarly and well done. They may focus the work along different lines – redemption, love, forgiveness, or the kingdom – but don’t dare think of this volume by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays as an anomaly. This focus on God’s relational presence as the cohesive center of biblical theology makes perfect sense. It will not replace those others described above but it will complement them well. Our God is about relationship and as the authors scan Genesis to Revelation they will prove to you how prevalent it is. Mark me down as at first surprised and then convinced!
This author combination has already proven to work well before in the well-received title Grasping God’s Word and several other projects. Duvall is the New Testament scholar who balances out Hays the Old Testament scholar. Together they have learned how to communicate across the Canon.
I saw no signs of haste. The theme is well carried out while the detail is well fleshed out. In every part of Scripture, they find evidence of this controlling theme or overarching storyline of Scripture and show it to you. Don’t miss the introduction where in the very first paragraph they lay out their basic thesis and explain what they are trying to do to perfection. It well makes you know what to expect across the thorough volume.
Unlike many such books they didn’t just ask us to believe them, they showed us. So many biblical texts are pulled in while the expansive bibliography shows the breadth of scholarship as well. There’s even an occasional chart or graph that is quite instructive.
I found this book more successful in its presentation than some others of its kind and give it the highest recommendation!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
This author combination has already proven to work well before in the well-received title Grasping God’s Word and several other projects. Duvall is the New Testament scholar who balances out Hays the Old Testament scholar. Together they have learned how to communicate across the Canon.
I saw no signs of haste. The theme is well carried out while the detail is well fleshed out. In every part of Scripture, they find evidence of this controlling theme or overarching storyline of Scripture and show it to you. Don’t miss the introduction where in the very first paragraph they lay out their basic thesis and explain what they are trying to do to perfection. It well makes you know what to expect across the thorough volume.
Unlike many such books they didn’t just ask us to believe them, they showed us. So many biblical texts are pulled in while the expansive bibliography shows the breadth of scholarship as well. There’s even an occasional chart or graph that is quite instructive.
I found this book more successful in its presentation than some others of its kind and give it the highest recommendation!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
January 31, 2021
I'm convinced. A paradigm changing, edifying read.
July 23, 2025
You can read a longer version of this review at SpoiledMilks (03.16.20).
One of my favorite biblical theologies, in God’s Relational Presence, Duvall and Hays argue that the Bible’s central theological theme is God’s relational presence with his people. They show how this presence drives the biblical storyline from Genesis to Revelation, appearing in every genre and book, and uniting other biblical themes. God’s desire to dwell with humanity shapes the narrative—through the tabernacle, temple, Jesus’ incarnation, and the Holy Spirit’s indwelling. The authors explain both the blessings of living in God’s presence and the consequences of separation due to sin. This work offers a cohesive biblical theology highlighting God’s desire for relationship.
Review Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Academic for an honest review.
One of my favorite biblical theologies, in God’s Relational Presence, Duvall and Hays argue that the Bible’s central theological theme is God’s relational presence with his people. They show how this presence drives the biblical storyline from Genesis to Revelation, appearing in every genre and book, and uniting other biblical themes. God’s desire to dwell with humanity shapes the narrative—through the tabernacle, temple, Jesus’ incarnation, and the Holy Spirit’s indwelling. The authors explain both the blessings of living in God’s presence and the consequences of separation due to sin. This work offers a cohesive biblical theology highlighting God’s desire for relationship.
Review Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Academic for an honest review.
December 29, 2023
spot on
Very academic (hundreds of footnotes); very detailed (400 pages)—but ‘spot on’ in identifying God’s relational presence as the center of Biblical theology. I would like to see the authors write a ‘common person’ version of this important work.
Very academic (hundreds of footnotes); very detailed (400 pages)—but ‘spot on’ in identifying God’s relational presence as the center of Biblical theology. I would like to see the authors write a ‘common person’ version of this important work.
March 16, 2020
Excellent book! OT was better than the NT but overall this book was very eye opening and challenging.
Want to read
April 8, 2021Recommended by Kevin VanHoozer
February 9, 2022
Comprehensive Treatment
As one who appreciates the writing ministry of Daniel Hays this was a great read. A bit lengthy but spot on.
As one who appreciates the writing ministry of Daniel Hays this was a great read. A bit lengthy but spot on.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews