Review: "Behold and Become"

 

Behold and Become: Reading Scripture for Transformation by Jeremy M. Kimble looks at how the Christian ought to read the Scripture and how it will, then, transform the reader. The thesis behind the man title is that awe become what we behold (what we see).

In chapter one, the author argues that it is in reading the Scripture that we know Who God is and commune with Him. 

Then he presents the case – which I rarely see these days – that the Scripture is inspired, infallible, inerrant, clear, necessary, sufficient, and authoritative.

In the third chapter he shows that there is a firm relation ship between the Old and New Testaments that present one salvation in Jesus Alone.

With these chapters agreed on, he looks at the efficacy of the Scripture.  The efficacy of Scripture, as he defines it is “the power of God’s word to accomplish God’s purposes in people’s lives” (77).  He looks at numerous Scriptures to show this is true, and then has historical voices weigh in on the matter.  The Holy Spirit, he says, works with the Scripture to transform the reader into the person God intends the person to be.

In chapter five, he looks at the practical ways the Bible ought to be beheld – including: reading, studying, and memorizing.  He gives examples of each and how to lead one’s family in beholding the Scripture, noting that knowing the Scripture will lead to repentance and growth.

Sixth, he looks at the place of the Word in the Church, considering the need for various persons and groups to be in to refine and grow in becoming.

Finally, he considers the Word in the life of the minister.  This is something that should be obvious, but, obviously, is not these days.  Besides the work of “beholding and becoming” he has already described; he explains why preaching and teaching must be text-driven.  From there, he explains how a biblical sermon is to be written.

After the conclusion, there is a page and a half appendix stating the main point of each chapter and how they fit together.

This is an excellent book – especially in a day when people focus on “me”, and ministers focus on everything except the clear and authoritative teaching of the Bible.  The text is straight-forward and readable and may be usable with high school students.  Certainly, it is a text to be used with college and seminary students.

Kimble is right that we become what we behold.  The problem is that what many people who believe they are Christians, and even those who are Christians, behold, is not what the Scripture teaches.

I received this book for free from Kregel in exchange for an honest review.

[This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, Kregel. Com, and Goodreads.com].