READING BETWEEN THE LINES
Old Testament Daily Readings
By Glen Scrivener
10 Publishing. 481 pages. £14.99
ISBN 978 1 912 373 567
Being a young person in the 1980s and 1990s, as I was, everything ‘cool’, new, and on point was ‘fresh’. As I read this book of daily readings, the word ‘fresh’ came to mind repeatedly.
As you may expect from Glen Scrivener, this book is on point, relevant, and each day it takes a fresh look at Old Testament passages with gospel eyes. On Day 1, Scrivener writes that, surely, the meaning of our lives is ‘to discover, to enjoy and to share the God who is love’. This book is a helpful resource in that task.
I like that the readings are not dated. This means you can work through it as leisurely as you like without feeling guilty if you miss some days! That said, because it is so refreshing and insightful you’ll not want to miss any days.
Each reading draws you to see Christ and you are reminded that the Bible is one big, glorious story of creation, fall, redemption and restoration. The OT historical accounts and laws come alive with Christ-glorifying significance through Scrivener’s pen.
Scrivener writes in a warm, accessible style and the book is not packed with academic language; however, it is also challenging. For example, Scrivener writes that because God is one and God is love, ‘we are called to love – heartfelt, thirsty, mighty love!’ What a challenge.
Although it is a hardback book, and a bit hefty to cart around, it would make a great gift. I would recommend this book for the excited new Christian who wants to read the Bible cover to cover. Although he doesn’t go through every chapter of the OT, Scrivener does walk us through the whole sweep of it, drawing out significant portions, making sense of difficult passages bringing relevance to others.
I’d also recommend it to the Christian who struggles to read the OT, or the Christian who thinks that the God of the OT is all anger and judgement. It will help them to see afresh, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets and all the Scriptures, the things concerning Christ.
I’m very much looking forward to Volume 2 – New Testament Daily Readings.
