Advance Comment
God's Healing Strategy


"In a conversational voice, Ted Grimsrud’s book invites its readers to consider what the Bible is really all about. On the way, we are pointed to questions that arise when we view the Bible as centered around one foundational theme. In response to human brokenness and sin as described in Genesis, what were God’s three options? How is the message of Jesus in fundamental agreement with the Old Testament? Why did Paul, before his conversion, think that God wanted him to do violence to Jesus’ followers? How does Jesus Christ’s power finally complete God’s plan to heal the world? Individuals and groups who turn again to the Bible with Grimsrud’s book in hand will find themselves engaged in much lively discussion and strengthened in their love for this great story of God’s plan for our world.
Nancy R. Heisey, associate professor of Biblical Studies and Church History, Eastern Mennonite University; President-Elect, Mennonite World Conference

"A more important subject one can hardly imagine. This book is a compelling and sweeping overview of the message of the Bible, an introduction to the good news available in Jesus Christ. It is a post-critical, appreciative interpretation of the message of the Bible as a whole, a resounding demonstration of how and why the gospel really is good news that makes sense in our day.
"A strength of this book is the author’s handling of the relationship between the Testaments. Rather than a relationship of contrast, or of promise and fulfillment simply conceived, he shows how the visions of God’s project in both testaments are not only compatible and "in continuity," but also complimentary."
Loren L. Johns, Dean, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary

"Ted Grimsrud offers a dynamic vision of the Bible's core message. Fully conversant with the best of recent scholarship, this new synthesis is a theological lens and a reading strategy— a way of understanding the Bible from Genesis to Revelation as a story of God's reconciling work in the world. It reflects a theological message that speaks directly to the brokenness of the modern world and relates the theme of healing to an integrated peacemaking ethic. The inclusion in every chapter of ‘questions for thought and discussion’ and annotated guides for further reading make it an effective pedagogical tool for church and school classrooms, as well as for individual study and reflection."
—Paul Keim, Academic Dean, Goshen College

"Even though biblical Theology is always risky business, Ted Grimsrud gives us good reason to question whether the task is, in fact, as impossible as many have proclaimed. Highly readable, with many moments of deep insight, Grimsrud leads us on a personal journey through the Scriptures that is deeply informed not only by his Anabaptist commitments, but also his great hopes for the life of the church. As we read, we accompany the author as a capable and compassionate textual tour guide, and we emerge with new ideas about the possibility of encountering biblical messages for 'God's healing strategy' in our time. Students and scholars of the Bible often develop a strange fear of 'big picture' discussions. This work, however, shows us why such efforts can be highly productive."
Daniel Smith-Christopher, Professor of Theological Studies (Old Testament), Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California

"Ted Grimsrud has written an excellent introduction to the Bible from an Anabaptist/liberationist perspective. God's goal is to restore the creation, including human beings, and there is a particular strategy for doing so which may be traced across the biblical canon. Even those not initially warm to Grimsrud's themes of justice and shalom will be motivated to listen by the tone of teachableness and respect for the reader which the author sustains throughout.
"Grimsrud speaks simply and clearly while he informs; he is confident without being dogmatic. There is a bit of an appropriate oral style, which he employs to periodically remind the reader of the book's theme. He discusses an excellent selection of biblical texts which serve to introduce the reader to the story of Scripture as well as to develop his case for nonviolent faithfulness to the way of Jesus.
"The book is organized well and is consistent in its depth of treatment throughout. It affirms the Christian's indebtedness to the Jewish faith and Scriptures and demonstrates the continuities between the two Testaments. The book's usefulness is increased by the inclusion at the end of each chapter of "Questions for Thought and Discussion" and suggestions for additional reading. The studied breadth and depth of the book make it ideal as an introductory (upper level) high school or college text, upon which an instructor would then build, or for use in adult Christian education.
—Douglas B. Miller, Associate Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies, Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas


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10/30/00