Even Better than Eden

Nancy Guthrie examines nine themes or nine stories of the Bible illustrating that what God has planned for us is even better than Eden. She writes, "Christ came to accomplish what was necessary to open the way for us, not just back into the garden of Eden, but into a home that will be even better than Eden and a life that will be even better than the life Adam and Eve enjoyed there."

The nine stories are as follows: the story of the wilderness, the story of the tree, the story of his image, the story of clothing, the story of the bridegroom, the story of sabbath, the story of the offspring, the story of a dwelling place, and the story of the city.

Guthrie traces each story throughout Scripture often beginning in Genesis and concluding in Revelation. She never pushes too far trying to weave each and every book of the Bible into each story. Some stories might pull more from the history books of the Old Testament, others might pull more from the Old Testament prophets. But all nine stories include illustrations from the Old Testament and the New Testament. Most--if not all--have a beginning, middle, and end. The end being the future glory, the future fulfillment or consummation of God's promises.

There is purpose, intentionality in the Bible and how it unfolds. It can--and should--shape us, shape how we see ourselves, shape how we see others, shape how we see the world, shape how we see God, shape how we live, think, act, speak. Guthrie wants you to be excited about being a citizen of heaven; she wants you to look forward to a new heaven and a new earth--to be eager for the kingdom of God.

I love how each chapter relates to the here and now but also builds anticipation and longing for the future. To those perhaps unfamiliar with how the Bible unfolds it might create an interest--or might be used by the Spirit to spark an interest a curiosity to read and see for yourself, to delight in God's Word. To those familiar with the Bible it might be a good reminder of why the good news is the good news.

Guthrie's book is a great read.

From chapter one:
"Have you ever thought about the emptiness you feel in this light? Do you think, perhaps, that God has let you hunger for whatever it is you are so hungry for so that you might become more desperate for him, more convinced that he is the source of what will fill you up? Do you think he might want to retrain your appetites, redirecting them away from this world, this life, even this age, so that your anticipation of the age to come might begin to shape your perspective on whatever it is you lack?"
From chapter two:
"The tree of life is not simply a thing of the past. It’s a promise for our future."
From chapter three:
"So how are we meant to see ourselves? And how can finding a solid source of identity keep us from floundering with a fragile or distorted sense of self?"
From chapter four:
"As we bring ourselves naked and exposed before the Word of God, this living and active Word goes to work in the interior of our lives, discerning our impure thoughts and ugly intentions of the heart so that we can confess, repent, and truly change (Heb. 4:12–13). The Spirit does his work of transformation so that we are increasingly wrapped in the robes of the righteousness of Christ—not simply in a judicial sense, but in the reality of our lives."
From chapter five:
"It makes sense that the Bible would begin with this poetic exclamation of love because the Bible is a love story from beginning to end. It’s the story of God choosing, gathering, and beautifying a bride for his Son. She’s not necessarily the prettiest or the most loving in return. In fact, as we read the story of the bride, we’re a little shocked at times that God would chose her. We see that she often has a hard heart; she’s often resistant to his affections and wholly dismissive of his gifts. Yet the Father is relentless in his pursuit and preparation of this bride for his Son. So far, it’s proving to be an unexpectedly long engagement. The Father has set a date for the wedding, and the invitations have been sent out. Of course, as much as we anticipate that day, the wedding will be only the beginning. It is the eternal marriage, the one in which we’ll never have to say “till death do us part,” that we anticipate most—a marriage that will be even better than the marriage Adam and Eve enjoyed in Eden."
From chapter six:
"This life was never meant to be an aimless existence; it has always been headed somewhere, somewhere better than Eden. The destination out in front of us should shape how we live day by day, week by week, and year by year. “Let us therefore strive to enter that rest.” How? By resting in Christ’s finished work and by spending a day, every week, anticipating the rest that is ahead for us because of it. The day is coming when we will rise from sleep to an eternal day of rest that will never end. Wouldn’t it be nice, in the restlessness of this world, to just spend a day, every week, in anticipation of that day?"
From chapter seven:
"Though God ordained a world in which evil and rebellion were possible, he didn’t create them. He is, however, clearly sovereign over them. Just as his word has the power to bless, so his word has the power to curse. He made clear that the days of this Evil One are numbered. One day a baby would be born, a descendant of the woman Satan had just deceived and so cruelly harmed. Her offspring would do the job Adam should have done. One day her offspring would crush the head of evil for good."
From chapter eight:
"Many of us would have to admit that our relationship with God is not nearly as passionate as we might wish, and our desire to be with him isn’t as strong as it ought to be. We sometimes find that we want to keep God at a safe distance."
From chapter nine:
"The story of the Bible is the story of two cities—the city of man and the city of God."
"We’re called to live in the tension of being in the world but not of it. Do you feel that tension?"

Having enjoyed and benefited from Nancy Guthries writing and teaching in the past I was excited to read this new title. In the book Nancy Guthrie traces 9 themes that were found in Eden such as the tree, the sabbath and offspring and traces them throughout the Bible. She follows the development of these themes throughout the Bible and how they will ultimately be seen in the new creation even better than before. However these are not just to be seen in the future but rather should transform and impact our lives today.

With her usual engaging and challenging style this is an excellent and encouraging read which not only makes us long for the new creation but also encourages us to live a life more committed to Christ now.

People can have a tendency to see the Bible as a disjointed collection of books and stories. Even more so, people tend to separate the Old and New Testaments going so far as to say there is almost a different God between the two or that God really changed once Jesus showed up. That's why I think Nancy Guthrie's new book, Even Better Than Eden is a valuable resource that most Christians need to take the time to read. According to Guthrie:

Every chapter will trace a theme that runs from Genesis to Revelation and that reveals an aspect of the excellencies and superiorities of the new heaven and the new earth (which we could also call Eden 2.0, or the new Eden, or the new creation, or the city to come, or the New Jerusalem)— superior not only to life in this sin-affected world we live in now, but superior even to what Adam and Eve experienced in the original Eden.

Having heard of Guthrie, but never having read her other books, I was eager to read this one and I was not disappointed. Guthrie masterfully takes us from Eden to new creation saturating us with the gospel chapter by chapter. When all hope seems lost for Adam and Eve in the garden, God does not give up on His creation and in fact, He is working His plans and purposes to redeem humanity for an eternity that is even better than Eden.

Guthrie shows the continuity of Scripture by tracing a theme in each chapter showing how it was broken in Eden through sin, but how God through the Old Testament uses that theme to point to a redeemer and ultimately it is made full in Christ. Jesus is the true and better Adam who did what the first man failed to do. He is bringing God's creation under His rule and bringing God's people to God's promised place.

Even Better Than Eden is a valuable resource that's been given to the Christian community. Guthrie writes in a way that is intelligent and easy to read. She is personal and theological. Most importantly, in every chapter she proclaims the excellencies of Christ. Guthrie says, "We're beginning to understand through this story of the Bible that our longing for home is a longing not for a place but for a person." Through her book, she helps all of us echo Revelation 22:20, "Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!"

In Even Better Than Eden, Nancy Guthrie looks at several topics - or storylines - that are woven throughout the Bible. For example, the second chapter is the story of the tree. In Genesis, there's the tree of life. But this tree shows up again in Revelation. I appreciate how Guthrie "links" or ties different stories in Scripture together, showing how the Bible is one grand story. There were multiple connections that she made that I had not heard of before.

In Even Better than Eden, Nancy Guthrie shares nine ways that the new heaven and new earth will be better than the garden of Eden. If this world has captured your attention and heaven doesn’t feel very appealing sometimes, this book will stir your heart for your future home.

This would be a good book for a young believer. She deals with creation and how life for us has changed because of sin. She shares the relationship we have with the Lord because of Jesus, the second Adam.
I received this book free from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

Even Better Than Eden: Nine Ways The Bible’s Story Changes Everything About Your Story by Nancy Guthrie is a new title set to be released by Crossway Publishing on August 31. Guthrie writes in a narrative style to portray theological truths meant to point the reader from the toils of the day to what lies beyond, God’s greater, better, deeper plan for us: our home with the Lord for eternity. Guthrie uses nine themes from creation to our future hope to point us to the cross. At the end of the book, she has discussion questions and hefty notes to help you understand some of the theology expressed in the narrative if you wish to investigate a topic later. The nine themes are as follows:

The Story Of The Wilderness
The Story Of The Tree- The Fall
The Story of His Image
The Story of Clothing
The Story of The Bridegroom
The Story of The Sabbath
The Story of The Offspring
The Story Of The Dwelling Place
The Story of The City

Guthrie’s clear intention in her writing is to make the reader deeply desire to be a stranger on this earth. Each chapter weaves a portion of biblical narrative and relates it to our everyday struggles. She reminds us with kindness that we needn’t chase our identity on our earthly pilgrimage since our identity is bound in Christ, the Living Word.

“To live is not to be married to have a fulfilling marriage. To live is Christ. To live is not to have children, or to raise healthy, successful or even godly children. To live is Christ. To live is not to have a body of a certain size or shape degree of health, or a certain size or shape or degree of health, or a home in a certain neighborhood, or a particular job or status. To live is Christ. And most of us have to be convinced of this today and convinced again tomorrow, because we are so thoroughly immersed in what this world tells us otherwise. This reconvincing happens as we begin eating now of the tree of life by feeding on Christ and His word today, and again tomorrow, and again the next day.”

Guthrie’s lovely prose is gentle enough for a reader that typically avoids theological works to find reading Even Better Than Eden pleasurable yet challenged to think theologically. For example, Guthrie presents concepts such as covenant theology, infant baptism, the spirit of Sabbath in an approachable manner. I was particularly touched by Guthrie’s thoughts on Sabbath as being a reminder of the greater, spiritual rest in the time to come. Sabbath is for man to worship God and to fellowship with our fellow saints. As we are set apart unto Him, we are to seek our Sabbath rest in Him.





Sabbath keeping would set God’s people apart as being so well taken care of by their God that they could take a day to rest. It would set them apart as a people who had something to look forward to: unending, all-encompassing rest in the presence of the one true God.”

I recommend this book to anyone who needs encouragement to march toward Zion, to seek Christ in all things, praise Christ in all things, and seek our rest in Him.
We experience a measure of rest as we are joined to Christ in his death and resurrection, but we know there is a better, fuller, final rest in our future.”
That’s all of us, right? Yeah, We should all read Even Better Than Eden.

I have a particular love for Biblical Theology. So when I heard of a book that traces not one, but nine wonderful themes through the pages of Scripture, I couldn't get hold of it fast enough. I love the way that Guthrie traces from Eden to eternity so many wonderful, rich ways in which Scripture progressively reveals the ongoing activity of God the Redeemer through history.  I also love how Guthrie demonstrates how these stories powerfully shape our own stories, simultaneously offering transformation and hope to all of us who see life not going as planned. This is a tremendous, applicable, easy to read resource for every Christian.

Nancy Guthrie does a good job in her book of presenting nine reoccurring themes in Scripture and the impact each of these has on our own walk with God. Written in an easy to understand and readable style, it’s a great way for both new believers and those who have been believers for some time to study an overview of the story of the Bible. I enjoyed reading this book on my own, but I’d also enjoy doing this as a group Bible study, too.

Although all the chapters were interesting, I think the one that meant the most to me was “The Story of Offspring”. Mrs. Guthrie’s discussion in that chapter is of the battle between good and evil, as well as God’s ultimate protection of His children. She recounts her own struggle with Psalm 91 after the death of her daughter, and how she came to view God’s love and care even in times of deep sadness. As I go forward in my own personal Bible study, I’ll be referring to this book again as I study these themes further.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

You think your life is defined by the body you see when you look in the mirror, and the job you have or don't have, or by the titles after your name. They don't define you. Who you are is most profoundly about who Christ is and who the Spirit is making you to be. Your sense of identity is being shaped by your sense of being made in his image. But more than that, it is being shaped by your anticipation of being remade in his glorious image!

Starting from the beginning in Genesis in the Garden of Eden, we can see what went terribly wrong, what God did to make it right and the hope of glory for all of creation.

We are not much different from Adam and Eve. We want the good life but we go about it in a independent way. In the Garden God gave Adam and Eve responsibility, not independence from Him or each other but because of the fall, or natural tendency is to live independent from our creator and each other. What caused this shift when Adam and Eve had everything they needed?

You see the love of God our redeemer in the fall of Adam and Eve. Not only his love but also his provision and goodness. In understanding his goodness, we must understand his holiness and to understand his holiness, we must understand the ugliness of sin. This text opens your eyes and your heart to the ministry of salvation and our need of it. I appreciate the teaching of Nancy Guthrie and highly recommend any of her books and if you have an opportunity to go to an event, please go. It will be worth your time and cost.

A Special Thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

The first two chapters of the book of Genesis have long held my intrigue. As an idealist, I want to know more about the world before it was marred by sin. Nancy Guthrie starts this study in the Garden of Eden, but then explains that Eden was only the start. She takes you through the Bible to unpack this interesting idea. You’ll learn more about the symbolism of trees in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. She then shows you how to apply biblical insight to your own personal stories. It’s a unique Bible study, good for small groups or individuals.

Favorite quote:

“God sees the emptiness in your life as his greatest opportunity, because God does his best work with empty as he fills it with himself.”

I received a preview copy of Even Better Than Eden from Netgalley.