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The Angel of the LORD: A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Study
In the early books of the Old Testament, the mysterious "Angel of the Lord" repeatedly appears—visibly, audibly, even physically—to the Patriarchs, to Moses, to the Prophets. Who is this Angel? Exploring the biblical texts, the testimony of church history, and the insights of Systematic Theology, Matt Foreman and Doug Van Dorn argue that the answer is beyond the Angel of the Lord is a manifestation of God the Son. Even more, they argue that this Angel appears more often than people realize, because he appears under different titles, the Word, the Name, the Glory, the Face, the Right Hand, even the Son. They show that even some of the ancient Jews spoke of a Second Yahweh in the Old Testament. Christian theologians throughout history have taught this same understanding. Christians today need to be taught again how the Person of Jesus appears throughout the Bible and how he speaks to us today.
449 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2020
237 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 28, 2021
This is one of the most fascinating and informative books I've read in a very long time. Foreman and Van Dorn offer serious exegesis of both the Old and New Testaments, and an in-depth study of the historical interpretations of pre-Christian Jews and early Christians as they argue for the real presence of the Son of God in the Old Testament in the form of the Angel of the LORD. Perhaps the most shocking and delightful part of this study was the revelation that pre-70AD, Jewish interpretation held to a "two powers" or "two Yahwehs" theology, meaning that even before the opening pages of the New Testament there was an understanding of a Godhead! Sometimes uncomfortable in their challenges to popular interpretations and to their bold assertion that Christ is not only prophesied or typified in the OT, but is actually there, this is an important work that more believers ought to read.
February 3, 2023
This is one of the best books I’ve ever read, and it came to me at just the right time. This is an essential work to understanding Christo-centricity. The profound yet simple realization that the Old Testament is not only about Jesus in prophecy and typology, but Jesus is present and active in the Old Testament must reform the way we read the Bible. This book made me love Jesus more, love my Bible more, and go into mad-man explanations of Christophanies and apostolic hermeneutics around the house. Absolute fire.
May 4, 2022
If I had to use one word to describe Douglas Van Dorn as an author, it would be “overexcited.” I’ve read this book and another one of his books, and both of them seem to be the work of an author who loves to do a bunch of research, and thinks that every bit of the information is fascinating, and therefore tries to cram every bit of it into his book. He really needs a merciless editor, who would heartlessly cut out all of the parts that are either irrelevant or only tangentially related to the main topic, forcing him to write a focused, concise, and tightly argued book. THAT would be a book worth reading.
As it is, this is a long and rambling book about possible appearances of Christ in the Old Testament. It attempts to show that the Angel of the Lord also appears under other titles, such as the Word of the Lord, the Arm of the Lord, etc. It also makes the claim that at least some Jews before/during Christ’s time were noticing the mystery of the Trinity in the Old Testament as seen in the figure of the Angel of the Lord.
The way Van Dorn attempts to back up these claims is a mixed bag: some of his points seem pretty solid and compelling, but many others seem weak and speculative. There are also various rambling detours, including a whole (long) chapter on the “divine council.”
Bottom line: the book is entertaining, but not particularly helpful for the Christian walk (in my opinion).
As it is, this is a long and rambling book about possible appearances of Christ in the Old Testament. It attempts to show that the Angel of the Lord also appears under other titles, such as the Word of the Lord, the Arm of the Lord, etc. It also makes the claim that at least some Jews before/during Christ’s time were noticing the mystery of the Trinity in the Old Testament as seen in the figure of the Angel of the Lord.
The way Van Dorn attempts to back up these claims is a mixed bag: some of his points seem pretty solid and compelling, but many others seem weak and speculative. There are also various rambling detours, including a whole (long) chapter on the “divine council.”
Bottom line: the book is entertaining, but not particularly helpful for the Christian walk (in my opinion).
December 22, 2022
In all honesty, this may be one of my favorite books. I started taking religious notes while reading it because I didn’t want to forget anything. Can’t wait to re-read sections and apply it to further studies. You will love Christ all the more once you finish this book
August 23, 2025
This book shows Christ in the Old Testament. Christ is The Angel of the Lord, the glory, the name, the hand-arm of God, the Word. The prophets didn't only predict Jesus, they saw and interacted with Jesus. In John's gospel, he didn't invent the idea of Jesus being the Word, but referenced Old Testament interactions where the Word of God came to men.
The authors claim that third-person referents to God in the Old Testament show a distinction between persons of the Godhead. For instance, Genesis 19:24 "Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven." If two Lords aren't in view here, then what does language mean? If two Lords are in view, then God is clearly more than one person long before Jesus came to earth in the incarnation. The authors contend the LORD who rained fire on Sodom was Jesus.
Another example is Genesis 9:6. God speaks to Noah and says, "...For in the image of God He made man." This is a strange way to speak unless to persons of the Godhead are in view. The authors argue this is exactly the case. God the Father is speaking of God the Son making man.
Overall, a fascinating read and very thought provoking. Jesus is present in the Old Testament more than we often realize.
The authors claim that third-person referents to God in the Old Testament show a distinction between persons of the Godhead. For instance, Genesis 19:24 "Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven." If two Lords aren't in view here, then what does language mean? If two Lords are in view, then God is clearly more than one person long before Jesus came to earth in the incarnation. The authors contend the LORD who rained fire on Sodom was Jesus.
Another example is Genesis 9:6. God speaks to Noah and says, "...For in the image of God He made man." This is a strange way to speak unless to persons of the Godhead are in view. The authors argue this is exactly the case. God the Father is speaking of God the Son making man.
Overall, a fascinating read and very thought provoking. Jesus is present in the Old Testament more than we often realize.
July 22, 2020
This is one of the best books I have ever read. The first part of the book deals with the appearances of Christ as the Angel of the Lord in the Old and New Testaments. The following sections of the book deal with problem passages, the Angel in the Jewish Church, quotes by many Reformers and Church fathers to back up the thesis, and it concludes with 8 practical reasons why a proper understanding of the Angel of the Lord is so important for Christians today. I enjoyed reading through the appendix as well.
Overall, the fact that the second person of the trinity, Jesus, is The Angel of the Lord in the OT is so important. Once you have realized this, it truly changes everything.
5/5 stars.
Overall, the fact that the second person of the trinity, Jesus, is The Angel of the Lord in the OT is so important. Once you have realized this, it truly changes everything.
5/5 stars.
June 13, 2022
A pretty extensive comprehensive resource on the Angel of the LORD in the OT, NT, and Early Church History. The only other resource which is comparative is probably the Two Powers in Heaven book, but this one is considerably more affordable.
I couldn't hardly put it down. It's scholarly and not a super easy read, although some parts you can tell a pastor is behind the research.
Great overall.
I couldn't hardly put it down. It's scholarly and not a super easy read, although some parts you can tell a pastor is behind the research.
Great overall.
March 7, 2025
I like this book. At places it reads like a Heiser book in terms of the presentation of arguments and scriptural proof - this is something that likely would not offend the authors, by the way. While some of the specific arguments feel like word association games, the cumulative effect of the biblical evidence combined with the historical positions of the early church fathers and the Reformers is convincing. The appendix on Michael and Jesus and the Angel of the LORD is ... interesting.
September 21, 2022
Informative and researched
This book contained many terms and phrases that were new to me. Thank goodness for the kindle linked dictionary and lookup online. I learned a lot and with the references will dive deeper into other topics.
This book contained many terms and phrases that were new to me. Thank goodness for the kindle linked dictionary and lookup online. I learned a lot and with the references will dive deeper into other topics.
October 21, 2022
Excellent. Only wish it was produced by a more recognized publisher so it would have wider appeal. This would make a great addition to the NSBT series produced by IVP. Found many of the connections and insights illuminating.
October 17, 2020
A great book on a neglected topic. Expands on Michael Heiser's work, but is less hostile to post-NT historico-theological interpretation. The appendices and bibliography are not to be neglected.
September 26, 2021
Phenomenal read.
October 14, 2022
I’m on board! 5 stars for content, but one docked because it needs an editor
April 18, 2023
Opened the eyes of an old preacher
Best book I've read on this topic. I knew Jesus had made appearance in the Old Testament, but I never saw it all grouped together like this. It opened both, my eyes to see and my heart to all Jesus had done. I'm overjoyed to see His intimate connection with us.
Best book I've read on this topic. I knew Jesus had made appearance in the Old Testament, but I never saw it all grouped together like this. It opened both, my eyes to see and my heart to all Jesus had done. I'm overjoyed to see His intimate connection with us.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews