Is there a center around which the entire Bible can be organized and understood? James M. Hamilton Jr. believes that there in is and in this book he sets out to demonstrate that the center of Biblical theology is that there is an essential connection between salvation and judgment which consistently brings glory to God. It is a magisterial claim and I believe that Hamilton demonstrates it convincingly.

He begin with a chapter describing his thesis and then works through the various genres and sections of the Bible, beginning with the Old Testament and the Law and concluding with the New Testament and the Revelation to John. Each book of the Bible is gone through in a systematic manner, allowing Hamilton to show that not only is the Bible a unified book but it is a book unified around a very particular theme. He closes with a chapter addressing several arguments against his thesis and a final chapter of practical and pastoral application.

I am a pastor of the Calvinist persuasion and fond of the work of continental Reformed theologians such as Calvin, Turretin, a Brakel and Bavinck, as well as Old Princeton, so that he idea of God's glory being central in all things is something I identify with. The result is that reading this book was like preaching to the choir, as if I was sitting with the conductor of an orchestra who was showing me the coherence of the score. Pastors and theologians identified with other traditions, or having a more of a social justice understanding of their ministry, would likely find Hamilton's work lacking and something they might desire to continually push back against. And I would suggest that they open their Bible, read the areas relevant to his writing, read their Bible again, and let God's Spirit be their teacher. They might be pleasantly surprised at the beauty of the Biblical canvas when seen from the center of glory in salvation through judgment. ( )