From Chaos to Cosmos

This is the fifth book I read from the “Short Studies in Biblical Theology” series published by Crossway. This series is a wonderful introduction for the layman on biblical theology in which one see the content of God’s truth being taught according to the consideration of the flow of Scripture as it progressed in redemptive history. I have immensely enjoyed the other four volumes. I also enjoyed this particular volume. This present work explores the theme of chaos to cosmos starting with the first chapter of Genesis and ending with the last chapter Revelation. This is a theme that is literally from the first page to the last page of the Bible and yet it is not often as obvious or noted by preachers and teachers today so this book is definitely helpful.
I know many reading this review might think this is something for theologians or Bible geeks rather than the average Christian to read. I would argue on the contrary: being aware of the various forms of chaos since the fall is something Christians need to know lest we live in a fantasy worldview that is also short of being biblical. Yet at the same time knowing the biblical motif of chaos and cosmos also makes us aware of God’s sovereignty over chaos in which God will turn chaos into cosmos (order and good). The sovereignty of God has huge implication for the Christian life from giving believers hope and comfort and also stirring the Christian to become godlier even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
The book consists of four chapters and an appendix. The first chapter explore the Chaos-Cosmos theme from the book of Genesis to the book of Joshua. The second chapter then explores the theme being picked up in the Wisdom literature of the Bible and the Prophets. Chapter three then looks at the New Testament while chapter four is on how to teach a series on the Chaos-Cosmos theme in a teaching or preaching ministry.
I thought the book has a strong start when it looked at the theme of chaos in the book of Genesis. What stood out to me was Greidanus’s insight that within Genesis 1 we see seven words for chaos that would later be found throughout the rest of the Scripture for chaos. These seven Hebrew terms are what we translate in English as “without form,” “void,” “darkness,” “the deep,” “the waters,” “seas” (Genesis 1:10) and “sea creatures/monsters” (Genesis 1:21). Though at first I was skeptical as later Scripture later use these terms we do see this being an intent of the biblical writers to convey chaos and spiritual darkness.
Obviously there are more things one will learn than what can be summarized in a book review. I wrote down many pages of notes when I read this book. This book was also different than other works thus far in this series in that it is longer in length than the rest. Actually coming in at 244 pages while most of the works are under 200 pages this work is rather a misnomer as part of the “Short Studies in Biblical Theology” unless you consider it being shorter than most of the works written by the author. A big reason while this book is lengthy is due to the fact that this book has a chapter on how to teach on this motif, something unique with this book compared to the other works in this series thus far. This chapter might not be surprising if one is aware that the author Sidney Greidanus is big on how to preach Christ in the Old Testament and have written multiple books on this subject.
As a constructive criticism I do think the author seem to weaken in its exegetical rigor as the book progressed. Towards the second half of the book there were more lengthy quotations from Scripture while having less explanation. Also I thought Greidanus’ discussion on Amillennialism to be inadequate even if readers were sympathetic or hold to Amillennialism. I’m not asking for a whole treatise on Amillennialism but felt the response and chide to Premillennialism and Postmillennialism was less than satisfying. He does quote the older work on Amillennialism by Anthony Hoekema and I wished his footnotes would have demonstrated interaction with more recent materials, discussion and scholarship.
Despite the constructive criticism I think it does not take away the overall strength and value of this book. I recommend readers get this book.
NOTE: This book was provided to me free by Crossway and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.