Friend of God: The inspiration of Abraham in an age of doubt, by John C. Lennox

'An excellent, deep read, which is more than just a Bible study'

Friend of God: The inspiration of Abraham in an age of doubt
By John C. Lennox
SPCK
ISBN 978-0-281-08911-6
Reviewed by Martin M’Caw 

John C. Lennon is an emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, an internationally renowned speaker and author of several books on science, philosophy and religion. Here Lennox links the ancestry of Abraham not only to the development of Israel as a nation but to Jesus ‘the author and perfector of our faith.’
 
Friend of God is an excellent, deep read. It is more than just a Bible study. The sub-title ‘the inspiration of Abraham in an age of doubt’ sets the tone. It can be used to cover several aspects of the nature of faith in church Bible study groups. For example, Abraham’s passing off his wife, Sarah, as his sister, and their ensuing problems are linked with moral pressures that Christians may seek to evade, and the consequences that can arise for them at a time when Christian values are under pressure in contemporary society.
 
Lennox links Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek as of pivotal importance in the wider biblical narrative as set out in Hebrews 6.  As Melchizedek supported Abraham just at the right time, so Christ does the same for Christians.
 
In chapter 8 ‘Justification by faith’, there is a detailed look at the meaning of faith for Abraham being evidence based, as Paul’s experience of the risen Christ became the anchor for his faith. Lennox refers to Bertrand Russell and Richard Dawkins statements that faith is mistaken because it is not based on evidence. Another point for Bible class discussion on the nature of Christian faith.
 
Chapter 10 is a detailed consideration of God’s covenants with Abraham, Israel and Christians. He has two sections on the latter:  the new covenant with Christ, and the new covenant for Christians with its implications for Christian living. This is another section which can be very useful for discussion groups concerning holy communion and how we live as Christian because the covenant is an instrument of government enshrining the principles by which Christ governs his redeemed people as King.
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There is also a deeper level of thought running through the book as Lennox links the way God communicated with Abraham with the way Jesus, Paul and Peter reflect on the life of Abraham.  This presents the book as more than just a Bible study but a deeper theological reflection on how God moves and speaks.
 
Joseph McRae Mellichamp, an American emeritus professor of management science and a friend of Lennox has written a study guide that comes with Friend of God. It follows the structure of Lennox’s book and each section has ‘application questions’ that help clarify the issues for group Bible study, and they also sharpens the focus for the individual theological reader.
 

The Revd Dr Martin M’Caw is a retired Baptist minister and Wing Chaplain No2 Welsh Wing RAF Cadets (also retired)