Review
Title: Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God: the person and work of Jesus in the New Testament
Author: Sperry Symposium (47th: 2018: Brigham Young University). Huntsman, Eric D., editor, Blumell, Lincoln H. (Lincoln Harris), Griffin, Tyler J.
Publisher: Deseret Book
Genre: Jesus Christ — Mormon interpretations, Bible, New Testament
Year Published: 2018
Number of Pages: 433
Binding: hardcover
ISBN13: 9781944394530
Price: $29.99
Reviewed by Elizabeth White for the Association for Mormon Letters
There is a difference between knowing about a person and knowing the person, especially in this digital age. I can do a one second Google search and find out about virtually any public or historical figure from around the world quite easily. However, truly getting to know someone takes long-term commitment, regular communication, many times years of frequent interaction, observations, and even, sometimes, asking hard questions.
Twenty of the gospel scholars and presenters at the 47th Annual Sidney B. Sperry Symposium at Brigham Young University have their work of gaining a better understanding of Jesus Christ compiled in the 2018 edition, Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God: the person and work of Jesus in the New Testament.
Each of the scholars and presenters sought to bridge that wide and sometimes rocky space between scholarly information about Jesus Christ, His time, His contemporaries, the factors that led to how things were recorded or redacted in sacred writings, who said what about whom and why, and the very different experience of seeking to be a more sure disciple of Jesus Christ through study and faith. This volume masterfully accomplishes both purposes.
A wide variety of topics are needed to help build the bridge between scholarship and faith. A few samples from this edition include Neill F. Marriott’s “Becoming True Disciples of Jesus Christ”, Camille Fronk Olson’s “We Believe and Are Sure”, the unique contributions of each of the Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the apostle Paul, as well as several discussions of early Christian era writings. The topics are organized into doctrine, scriptural analysis, and history sections to improve the flow of the entire work.
There are many features woven into this compilation that make the different perspectives, whether they are expounding doctrine, analyzing texts, or making historical connections. come together in one cohesive voice that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. For example, there is a thorough discussion of the Joseph Smith translation of the New Testament, that both expounds and summarizes material in enlightening ways. Another important addition is the concentration of helpful study material in the endnotes, appendix and glossary. These careful and informative notes and charts made the text far more approachable for lay readers and beginning scholars. After reading the introduction, I read the study helps, figuring frontloading vocabulary and getting an overview of the scope of the work would make the reading easier. It did. It also helped me become aware of nuances I had never noticed before, such as the fact that the title, Redeemer, is never used in the New Testament. Another surprising thing I find is the variety of scholarly or traditional interpretations of how to understand Jesus Christ as Son of God. Teachings and explanations from modern apostles and prophets, including Joseph Smith, add current understanding and their testimonies to the mosaic of information found here.
The scholars represented in this work have been on both sides of the bridge; they know about Jesus, His world, His work, His doctrine and they know Him through years of seeking Him through faith and prayer, as their Savior and Redeemer, that He is who He says He is, the Son of the Living God. Some of the scholars’ work I am familiar with and I have read their work and listened to their discussions over the years, but there are several that are less known to me. After reading these articles and presentations, I found I wanted to know more about the background of these individuals than what was listed at the end of every entry. A suggestion for the next edition is to include a small appendix with presenters’ introductory paragraphs to give the readers a chance to connect a little more with the scholars, especially those who have not attended the symposium and are unfamiliar with the newer, or older, faces. That little touch would be appreciated.
As amazing as this book is, to me it reads more like a menu, showing what food is available for spiritual feasting in the scriptures. The more I read of the volume, the more I am drawn back into the Old and New Testaments as well as the Restoration scriptures. I have been looking up references and taking notes in margins. This is a timely and appreciated addition to my family’s library as we are increasing gospel study as individuals and as a family at home. I am grateful for the years of commitment, work, study, prayer, experience, and faith that these presenters put into preparing their topics to help others come to Christ by study and faith.