The doctrine of believers’ union with Christ has undergone a renaissance in recent years. Evangelicals are rightly fascinated by this previously neglected doctrine—a doctrine with wide-ranging implications for the whole of Christian theology and the Christian life.
Drawing on his extensive teaching and research experience, theologian Robert Peterson has written one of the most comprehensive theological treatments of union with Christ to date, highlighting the Spirit’s crucial role in uniting God to his people.
“Paul teaches the same truth in Philippians 2. There, after saying that Jesus ‘was in the form of God,’ Paul writes that the Son ‘emptied himself’ by ‘taking the form of a servant’ (vv. 6–7).” (Page 350)
“In his first coming, Jesus, our Great High Priest, offered himself as an atoning sacrifice” (Page 354)
“Texts That Teach Union with Christ in a Narrow (Direct) Sense” (Page 188)
“First, sanctification takes place in union with Christ” (Page 335)
“underlies every step of the application of redemption” (Page 324)
Peterson offers readers a marvelous survey of the union-with-Christ theme by exploring the concept in every major portion of Scripture. Having carefully placed this important theological subject within the overall biblical story, Peterson helps readers understand the rich meaning and wide-ranging implications of this important theme for the church and the Christian life. It is a privilege to commend this carefully organized and well-written volume. Joyful, uplifting, and doxological.
David S. Dockery, Chancellor, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
This is a welcome addition to recent literature on the theme of union with Christ. Peterson pursues the theme through the whole of Scripture, reflects on the theological connections and implications of our union with Christ, and draws pastoral applications for the sake of the church. The result is an accessible, penetrating, and full-orbed contribution that will be of theological and spiritual benefit to all its readers.
Constantine R. Campbell, Senior Vice President of Global Content, Our Daily Bread
From the surprising Old Testament foundation of Salvation Applied by the Spirit, to the powerful concluding application to our lives today, Robert Peterson applies a lifetime of mature and loving scholarship to the ‘simultaneously wonderful and bewildering’ realities of our union with Christ by the work of the Spirit.
Bryan Chapell, Senior Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church, Peoria, Illinois
Peterson presents the work of the Spirit in uniting us to Christ—first by exegeting central Bible passages on our union with Christ, and second by relating this teaching to other biblical doctrines, such as the nature of the Spirit himself, the church, the sacraments, and the Christian life. Understanding our union with Christ is a major need of Christians today. Peterson’s account is accurate and profound. It can be a great blessing to our minds, hearts, and lives.
John M. Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy Emeritus, Reformed Theological Seminary
In the Logos edition, this digital volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English Bible translations, and important terms link to a wealth of other resources in your digital library, including tools for original languages, dictionaries, encyclopedias, commentaries, and theology texts. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.