T. Desmond Alexander

Genesis begins the grand story of Christ. Understand each unit of Genesis in its literary and canonical context. Recognize how genealogy forms the backbone of Genesis. Follow Genesis' promise of a king who will bring God's blessing to the world. T. Desmond Alexander consolidates over four decades of research to present a fresh approach to the Bible's first book. Genesis traces the promised seed that leads to the divinely promised king who will mediate God's blessing to the world by reversing the curse. Alexander's commentary offers a holistic reading of Genesis that takes seriously the literary structure and central themes while challenging popular misreadings. The Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (EBTC) series locates each biblical book within redemptive history and illuminates its unique theological contributions. All EBTC volumes feature informed exegetical treatment of the biblical book and thorough discussion of its most important theological themes in relation to the canon―all in a style that is useful and accessible to students of Scripture.

Across 22 chapters, T. Desmond Alexander expounds the theme of the kingdom of God from selected Old and New Testament texts, showing its relevance for today. God made us to rule with him as his representatives, to establish his kingdom on earth. But Adam and Eve's rebellion alienated humanity from God's kingdom, instead making them slaves to the kingdom of darkness. As the promised ruler, Jesus Christ comes as the perfect king to redeem enslaved humanity. This servant king brings God's kingdom on earth through self-sacrificial love. In hope, we now await the return of the king and the coming of the eternal kingdom. With a fully integrated study guide, suitable for both individuals and groups, The Message of the Kingdom of God will help you to see how the Bible's unified teaching on this vital theme can impact your life today. The Bible Speaks Today series covers every book of the Old and New Testaments, as well as Bible themes that run through the whole of Scripture.

This accessibly written textbook has been a popular introduction to the Pentateuch for over twenty-five years. It identifies the major themes of the first five books of the Bible and offers an overview of their contents. Unlike some academic studies, it focuses on how the books from Genesis to Deuteronomy form a continuous story that provides an important foundation for understanding the whole Bible. This new edition has been substantially updated throughout to reflect the author's refined judgments and to address the future of pentateuchal studies.

How can sinful humans approach a holy God? In the book of Hebrews, Jesus Christ is celebrated as the great high priest who represents his people before the Father. Jesus' roles as priest and mediator are central to his identity and bring to completion themes woven throughout Scripture. In this fifth ESBT volume, T. Desmond Alexander considers the often-neglected themes of priesthood and mediation and how Christ fulfills these roles. He explores how these concepts illuminate what Christ has already accomplished for us through his self-sacrifice, as well as what he is presently achieving on our behalf, seated at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Through this study we gain a richer understanding of concepts such as holiness, sacrifice, covenant, reconciliation, and God's dwelling place. Essential Studies in Biblical Theology (ESBT), edited by Benjamin L. Gladd, explore the central or essential themes of the Bible's grand storyline. Taking cues from Genesis 1–3, authors trace the presence of these themes throughout the entire sweep of redemptive history. Written for students, church leaders, and laypeople, the ESBT offers an introduction to biblical theology.

“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” –Hebrews 13:14 At the very heart of God’s plan for the world stands an extraordinary city. Beginning with the garden of Eden in Genesis and ending with the New Jerusalem in Revelation, the biblical story reveals how God has been working throughout history to establish a city filled with his glorious presence. Tracing the development of the theme of city in both testaments, T. Desmond Alexander draws on his experience as a biblical scholar to show us God’s purpose throughout Scripture to dwell with his redeemed people in a future extraordinary city on a transformed earth. Part of the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series.

Recounting the greatest event of divine salvation in the Old Testament, the book of Exodus is not merely a story about the Lord God rescuing enslaved Israelites from the power of a despotic and xenophobic dictator. More importantly, it highlights how a compassionate and justice-seeking God transforms the lives of victimized people so that they may experience life in all its fullness in his holy presence. The story of Exodus illustrates an all-important paradigm for understanding the nature and goal of divine salvation, anticipating an even greater exodus that will come through Jesus Christ. Desmond Alexander grapples with the varied complexities of the carefully constructed literary collage of Exodus. As an integral part of the longer narrative that runs from Genesis to 2 Kings, Exodus recounts a dramatic and unified story of how the Israelites come to a deeper and closer relationship with the Lord God. Narrating past events, Exodus speaks to contemporary society, revealing a God who passionately desires to draw people into an intimate and exclusive relationship with himself. This detailed commentary sheds light on one of the most influential books ever written.

Focused Biblical Scholarship to Teach the Text EffectivelyThe Teach the Text Commentary Series utilizes the best of biblical scholarship to provide the information a pastor needs to communicate the text effectively. The carefully selected preaching units and focused commentary allow pastors to quickly grasp the big idea and key themes of each passage of Scripture. Each unit of the commentary includes the big idea and key themes of the passage and sections dedicated to understanding, teaching, and illustrating the text. The newest release in this innovative commentary series is T. Desmond Alexander's treatment of Exodus.

If asked how Matthew's Gospel differs from Luke's, or what aspects of Jesus' personhood and ministry the Gospel of Mark focuses on compared with those of John, how would you answer? In Discovering Jesus, T. Desmond Alexander helps readers understand how each Gospel account is uniquely written and why all four Gospels are important in their different, but complementary pictures of the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. Alexander shows how the Gospels display Jesus as the Son of David who establishes the kingdom of God, the Son of God who suffers to ransom others, the Saviour of the world who seeks the lost, and the Lamb of God who brings eternal life through a new exodus. Each chapter ends with discussion questions for individual or group study.

If asked how Matthew’s Gospel differs from Luke’s, or what aspects of Jesus’ personhood and ministry the Gospel of Mark focuses on compared to those of John, how would you answer? In Discovering Jesus, T. D. Alexander sets out to help readers understand how each Gospel account is uniquely written and why all four are important for having a rich picture of the person of Jesus Christ. Alexander guides readers to see how the Gospels display Jesus as the Son of David who establishes the kingdom of God, the Son of God who suffers to ransom others, the Savior of the world who seeks the lost, and the Lamb of God who brings eternal life through a new exodus. Each chapter ends with discussion questions for individual or group study.

Why does the earth exist? What is the purpose of human life? These are two of life's most fundamental questions - and they are addressed by the Bible's remarkably unified story, which centres on a unique deity. Desmond Alexander explores this story by beginning at the end, in the final chapters of the book of Revelation. Anticipating the creation of a new earth and a new heaven, these chapters bring to fulfilment a process that began with the creation of the earth, as described in the opening chapters of Genesis. These passages frame the entire biblical 'meta-story'. This stimulating study outlines some of the central themes that run through the Bible, with broad brush strokes designed to show the general shape of the meta-story. Seeing the big picture enables us to appreciate the details more clearly; and since the themes were an integral part of the thought-world of the biblical authors, an appreciation of them may alter significantly our reading of individual books. Good theology always has pastoral implications, and the study occasionally moves into areas of application - the truths revealed are extremely important for shaping our life-style choices.