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One God One Message

One God One Message by P.D. Bramsen


The book One God One Message written by P.D. Bramsen provides the reader with an overview of the biblical truth that we find in the Scriptures, the truth concerning Jesus and many answers to various questions that both Muslims and others ask. The book is broken up into three parts and each part focuses on a particular issue. The first part of the book devotes 7 chapters to identifying the challenges to believing the Bible and how God bears witness to his Word through creation and revelation. The second part of the book is more like a retelling of the biblical story starting from the characteristics of God, creation, sin, redemption and renewal. The last part of the book is kind of a summation of the work of God through all of history focusing in on reversing the curse of the fall.

As I began to read through this book I was amazed at the way in which Bramsen includes actual emails that he received from those questioning the Christian faith from all angles (a heavy portion of questions from Muslims). On page 175 we see a question from a Saudi Arabian Muslim concerning Jesus. His question relates some key tenets of Islam that Jesus was not killed on the cross and was not God’s Son. Yet, as Bramsen points out, the Quran says some very unique things about Jesus, including him being a holy Son, the Messiah, and the Word of God. Now, the Quran does not use all these terms in the same way the NT does, but there is a reverence for Jesus in the NT. Bramsen does a great job at explaining how the Bible makes the clear statement that God became men in the person of Jesus rather than a man becoming God (deification) (177-178). Bramsen is quick to provide evidence from the Scriptures concerning Jesus’ miracles and the religious leaders intolerance of Jesus as hallmarks of proving his authority and deity. The personal questions and careful answers that Bramsen provides goes a long way in showing that the Christian faith can really impact those who come from different faith traditions.

The format or the structure of the book was very helpful to those who engage in dialogues with non-Christians. Bramsen is careful to answer the questions of trusting the authority and the nature of the Bible at the beginning. Why is this so important? In order to believe certain teachings about God and Jesus, modern day people want to know why they can trust a certain authority. The issue of authority is of great importance today, even more in speaking of authority in connection to truth claims. Bramsen points out the divine authority of the Scriptures and the character of the God who breathed out the Scriptures so that he provides a foundation for readers later on in the book. Especially for Muslims, the issue of the trusthworthiness of the Bible is of paramount importance to discuss many Muslim thinkers believe the Bible has been corrupted.

Overall, I think this book will go a long way in seeking to provide answers to the burning questions of Muslims and other peoples who do not look to Christ in faith. The benefit of this book is that it draws together the story of the Bible with an eye towards the key doctrines of the Christian faith. I hope this book is widely read and is used to help others see the person of Christ Jesus.

Thanks to Book Crash and Rock International for the review copy of this book.

Comments

  1. Spencer, thanks for the insightful review. Send me a mailing address and I'll send you a complementary copy of KING of GLORY, our new illustrated book that distills the story and message of the Bible into 70 scenes. You may enjoy going through it with your daughter. :-) For a clear gospel, Paul D. Bramsen www.one-god-one-message.com

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