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New Studies in Biblical Theology #58
The Glory of God and Paul (Volume 58)
The apostle Paul's theology of glory has its foundations in the biblical drama of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation, and in the identity of Jesus as revealed in his teachings, life, death, and resurrection. The triune God, who is intrinsically glorious, graciously and joyfully displays his glory, largely through his creation, human image-bearers, providence, and redemptive acts. God's people respond by glorifying him. God receives glory and, through uniting his people to Christ, he shares his glory with them―all to his eternal glory. Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson explore the glory of God in Paul's letters with regard to the Trinity, salvation, the resurrection, the new covenant, the church, eschatology, and the Christian life. God intends his glory to impact many areas of believers' their gradual transformation "from glory to glory" (2 Cor 3:18) occurs as they meditate and reflect on the splendor of the Lord.
- GenresTheologyBiblical Studies
280 pages, Paperback
Published February 22, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 5, 2022
Summary: A study of the theme of the glory of God in scripture, with a particular focus on the writings of Paul.
At an Urbana Missions Convention, I remember being provoked to thought by a statement of John R. W. Stott to the effect that the highest motive for the church’s mission in the world was neither obedience to the Great Commission nor concern for those who did not know Christ, but rather zeal for the glory of Christ (a remark reproduced on p. 230 of this book). It didn’t make sense at the time but it has increasingly over the years. In my university work, I walk through hallways with displays of research posters and read news of incredible research being done in a multitude of fields, uncovering the wonders of the creation (only one aspect of God’s glory), yet rarely acknowledging its source. Increasingly I find myself praying and working that these researchers would know and acknowledge and glorify the One who is the source of all these wonders, who has illumined and delights in their research.
This may seem an odd way into a review of The Glory of God and Paul. It is not however, because I sense the same motive behind the writing of these two authors, as John Stott spoke of, to foster in us a zeal for the glory of God in all of the manifold excellencies of that glory. They do so by primarily focusing on the theme of God’s glory in the writings of the apostle Paul, who was certainly captivated by the glory he beheld in the risen Lord.
The work begins though by stepping back and attempting a summary of the “panorama” of God’s glory within which Paul’s writing is set: in major sections of scripture, in relation to key doctrines, at turning points in the biblical story, in different senses of “glory” in scripture (summarized as possessed, purposed, displayed, ascribed, and shared) as intrinsic and extrinsic, in biblical tensions (e.g transcendent and immanent), and in redemptive history. One could spend days just pondering this panoramic presentation!
In the second chapter, the authors turn from panorama to drama, considering the storyline of scripture and how every part of redemptive history reveals glory: the creation, the fall, the working our of redemption and the consummation of God’s purposes. These two chapters set the stage for chapters 3-7 which focus on five major sections of the Pauline corpus:
Chapter Three: Romans: The Glory of God in salvation
Chapter Four: 1 Corinthians 15: The Glory of God and the resurrection
Chapter Five: 2 Corinthians 3-4: The Glory of God and the new covenant
Chapter Six: Ephesians: The Glory of God and the church
Chapter Seven: 2 Thessalonians 1: The Glory of God and eschatology
Each chapter identifies multiple themes in the particular text relating to the major theme for the chapter. So much is offered here for reflection that I will only touch on a few personal highlights. In Romans, we see how glory suffuses every aspect of our salvation. I Corinthians 15 reveals the glory of the risen Christ as the second Adam and the glory we will share in Him. The discussion of the church in Ephesians is challenging in that we do not often think of the place of the church in the purpose of God as a showcase of the one new humanity united through the revealed mystery of Christ’s saving work.
The writers then draw all this together in two concluding chapters. In chapter 8, the biblical theologians address systematic theology, showing how the glory of God relates to the areas commonly discussed in systematic theology: God and his Word, humanity and sin, Christ’s person and work, the Holy Spirit and the new covenant, salvation, the church, the future, and ministry (under which the statement by Stott mentioned earlier appears). Finally, the writers turn to the Christian life and how God’s glory bears on love, provision, hope, mystery, boasting (no room for such!) and our worship.
I suspect that for many of us, John Calvin’s statement about our chief end being to glorify and enjoy God forever is just so much pious content without substance either in our thought, worship, or daily life. Likely, this follows from lack of instruction and personal reflection in a culture focused on “how to’s” and getting God to work for us, or at times simply a list of “ought to’s.” This work certainly represents one place to begin, by taking us into scripture, focusing on the many ways God’s glory shines through every aspect of life, inviting us from hum-drum workaday to wonder and worship and the mission of showcasing that glory to the world.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
At an Urbana Missions Convention, I remember being provoked to thought by a statement of John R. W. Stott to the effect that the highest motive for the church’s mission in the world was neither obedience to the Great Commission nor concern for those who did not know Christ, but rather zeal for the glory of Christ (a remark reproduced on p. 230 of this book). It didn’t make sense at the time but it has increasingly over the years. In my university work, I walk through hallways with displays of research posters and read news of incredible research being done in a multitude of fields, uncovering the wonders of the creation (only one aspect of God’s glory), yet rarely acknowledging its source. Increasingly I find myself praying and working that these researchers would know and acknowledge and glorify the One who is the source of all these wonders, who has illumined and delights in their research.
This may seem an odd way into a review of The Glory of God and Paul. It is not however, because I sense the same motive behind the writing of these two authors, as John Stott spoke of, to foster in us a zeal for the glory of God in all of the manifold excellencies of that glory. They do so by primarily focusing on the theme of God’s glory in the writings of the apostle Paul, who was certainly captivated by the glory he beheld in the risen Lord.
The work begins though by stepping back and attempting a summary of the “panorama” of God’s glory within which Paul’s writing is set: in major sections of scripture, in relation to key doctrines, at turning points in the biblical story, in different senses of “glory” in scripture (summarized as possessed, purposed, displayed, ascribed, and shared) as intrinsic and extrinsic, in biblical tensions (e.g transcendent and immanent), and in redemptive history. One could spend days just pondering this panoramic presentation!
In the second chapter, the authors turn from panorama to drama, considering the storyline of scripture and how every part of redemptive history reveals glory: the creation, the fall, the working our of redemption and the consummation of God’s purposes. These two chapters set the stage for chapters 3-7 which focus on five major sections of the Pauline corpus:
Chapter Three: Romans: The Glory of God in salvation
Chapter Four: 1 Corinthians 15: The Glory of God and the resurrection
Chapter Five: 2 Corinthians 3-4: The Glory of God and the new covenant
Chapter Six: Ephesians: The Glory of God and the church
Chapter Seven: 2 Thessalonians 1: The Glory of God and eschatology
Each chapter identifies multiple themes in the particular text relating to the major theme for the chapter. So much is offered here for reflection that I will only touch on a few personal highlights. In Romans, we see how glory suffuses every aspect of our salvation. I Corinthians 15 reveals the glory of the risen Christ as the second Adam and the glory we will share in Him. The discussion of the church in Ephesians is challenging in that we do not often think of the place of the church in the purpose of God as a showcase of the one new humanity united through the revealed mystery of Christ’s saving work.
The writers then draw all this together in two concluding chapters. In chapter 8, the biblical theologians address systematic theology, showing how the glory of God relates to the areas commonly discussed in systematic theology: God and his Word, humanity and sin, Christ’s person and work, the Holy Spirit and the new covenant, salvation, the church, the future, and ministry (under which the statement by Stott mentioned earlier appears). Finally, the writers turn to the Christian life and how God’s glory bears on love, provision, hope, mystery, boasting (no room for such!) and our worship.
I suspect that for many of us, John Calvin’s statement about our chief end being to glorify and enjoy God forever is just so much pious content without substance either in our thought, worship, or daily life. Likely, this follows from lack of instruction and personal reflection in a culture focused on “how to’s” and getting God to work for us, or at times simply a list of “ought to’s.” This work certainly represents one place to begin, by taking us into scripture, focusing on the many ways God’s glory shines through every aspect of life, inviting us from hum-drum workaday to wonder and worship and the mission of showcasing that glory to the world.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
March 7, 2022
What did Paul perceive in the glory of God? In The Glory of God and Paul, Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson examine Paul’s texts, themes, and theology to explore the glory of God.
The Drama of God’s Glory
After a panorama of defining God’s glory in the Bible, the book examines the drama of God’s glory as it unfolds in the Biblical narrative. This an academic book, deeply theological and wonderfully worshipful.
The book then looks at the glory of God and salvation in Romans, the glory of God and the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, the glory of God and the new covenant in 2 Corinthians, the glory of God and the church in Ephesians, and the glory of God and eschatology in 2 Thessalonians.
Showcasing Glory
I was most interested to see that while glory often refers to final salvation after Christ’s return, it is possible to view our present salvation in terms of future glory. Romans reveals that our current justification and a life lived out by faith displays the glory of God. This means that we can strive to give more glory to God by the simple living of our daily lives.
I was most moved to see God’s glory and the church as his showcase. By examining Ephesians, the book explains that God creates one church to exhibit cosmic reconciliation. The unity of Jews and Gentiles as one new humanity preaches Christ to the entire cosmos. God’s grace, wisdom, oneness, love, and holiness are on full display. This gives wonderful purpose to the mission and life of the church.
The Glory of God and the Christian Life
After a chapter on the glory of God and systematic theology, the book closes with a look at the glory of God and the Christian life. Love, provision, hope, mystery, boasting, and worship are included. The theme of God’s glory is not abstract. It has practical applications in how we live. God himself is our hope and glory.
I received a media copy of The Glory of God and Paul and this is my honest review.
The Drama of God’s Glory
After a panorama of defining God’s glory in the Bible, the book examines the drama of God’s glory as it unfolds in the Biblical narrative. This an academic book, deeply theological and wonderfully worshipful.
The book then looks at the glory of God and salvation in Romans, the glory of God and the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, the glory of God and the new covenant in 2 Corinthians, the glory of God and the church in Ephesians, and the glory of God and eschatology in 2 Thessalonians.
Showcasing Glory
I was most interested to see that while glory often refers to final salvation after Christ’s return, it is possible to view our present salvation in terms of future glory. Romans reveals that our current justification and a life lived out by faith displays the glory of God. This means that we can strive to give more glory to God by the simple living of our daily lives.
I was most moved to see God’s glory and the church as his showcase. By examining Ephesians, the book explains that God creates one church to exhibit cosmic reconciliation. The unity of Jews and Gentiles as one new humanity preaches Christ to the entire cosmos. God’s grace, wisdom, oneness, love, and holiness are on full display. This gives wonderful purpose to the mission and life of the church.
The Glory of God and the Christian Life
After a chapter on the glory of God and systematic theology, the book closes with a look at the glory of God and the Christian life. Love, provision, hope, mystery, boasting, and worship are included. The theme of God’s glory is not abstract. It has practical applications in how we live. God himself is our hope and glory.
I received a media copy of The Glory of God and Paul and this is my honest review.
December 10, 2022
Wonder what they will say? That was my first thought when I saw this title by Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson in the NSBT series. The glory of God is a concept that you think is self-apparent, at least until you try to express it. Then circular definitions and hollow platitudes roll off your lips. To be truthful, this title upon hearing of it didn’t excite me as some in this series, but equally in truth, I am excited to think upon what it showed me. The glory of God is a subject, as shown here, that pervades Scripture and clearly must be crucial to understanding our God.
The first two chapters take you to school on the glory of God. The various ways scholars define it is brought out, not just to ascribe scholarly labels, but to reason through to real understanding. Explaining God’s glory as being both intrinsic and extrinsic was the apex for taking the reader to mastery of the subject. This section was so worthwhile and revealing.
The reason the title of the book adds “and Paul” is because in the subsequent chapters the concept of the glory of God is fleshed out in the epistles of Paul. The theology and the exegesis of specific passages seemed spot on.
The variety and quality of this series always impresses as is certainly the case here!
The first two chapters take you to school on the glory of God. The various ways scholars define it is brought out, not just to ascribe scholarly labels, but to reason through to real understanding. Explaining God’s glory as being both intrinsic and extrinsic was the apex for taking the reader to mastery of the subject. This section was so worthwhile and revealing.
The reason the title of the book adds “and Paul” is because in the subsequent chapters the concept of the glory of God is fleshed out in the epistles of Paul. The theology and the exegesis of specific passages seemed spot on.
The variety and quality of this series always impresses as is certainly the case here!
October 27, 2024
I found this to be quite underwhelming after the tour de force that was Dominion and Dynasty, of the same series. It seemed to be a collection of Bible studies, focusing on God's glory. I know the central thread is the glory of God, but it didn't seem a single coherent thread, rather a series of smaller ones joined together awkwardly and haphazardly. Individually these smaller threads, studies, are of merit (hence three stars).
Early on, one thing I very much appreciated learning was that glory in Hebrew roughly means "weight". And so to glorify him, to me at least, in layman's terms, means to correctly honour our God, as due given his infinite and great weightiness. He is of great weight and it is right to honour him and conduct ourselves in line with that immensity.
Early on, one thing I very much appreciated learning was that glory in Hebrew roughly means "weight". And so to glorify him, to me at least, in layman's terms, means to correctly honour our God, as due given his infinite and great weightiness. He is of great weight and it is right to honour him and conduct ourselves in line with that immensity.
May 12, 2026
A thorough, well-stated explanation of the concept of God’s glory in the writings of Paul. More repetitive than I expected at times, but a valuable resource for those wishing to dig in to this dominant biblical theme.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews