The Serpent and the Serpent Slayer
by Andrew David Naselli
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Biblical Theology has for some time been kept within the academic field and away from the average Joe.  Short Studies in Biblical Theology is a series put out by Crossway Publishing that puts out an effort to bring the discipline of Biblical Theology to the pew rather than leaving it at the lectern.  I have currently read five of the eleven volumes in Crossway’s series and Naselli’s volume has been the most helpful and enjoyable thus far.  
 
First, Naselli is an excellent writer and is a joy to read.  Never once did I tire or think “I’ve got the point, move on.”  A large amount of material was covered in a small space while still providing a thorough introduction to the subject.  
 
In the Introduction, Naselli provides a catchphrase that nicely summarize the scope of the book and a major biblical theme when he writes “Kill the Dragon, get the girl!” Chapter one develops the theme by demonstrating snakes and dragons are both subcategories of Serpents and should be viewed as two sides of the same coin (the Appendix provides a brief discussion of sixteen terms translated snakes, dragons, and serpents), and that serpents either deceive or devour.  
 
Chapters 2 and 3 take the structural framework of chapter one and proceed to examine the theme of the Serpent and Serpent Slayer within the bookends of the bible as well as the prominence everywhere in between.  Due to the size and audience of the book the discussion is kept simple, yet it still informs.  
 
Chapter 4 (my favorite) develops the Serpent theme within the Book of Revelation.  The chapter serves as an introduction to Revelation at large, identifies many of the recursive themes, and provides the reader with hope of making sense of the overall thrust of John’s message.  Naselli distinguishes between thirteen different traits of the Serpent in Revelation, and celebrates in the triumph of the Lamb.
 
The final chapter supplies six points of application that bring the message of the book to bear upon the daily life of the reader.  Again, Naselli’s desire to speak to the laymen rather than the academy is evidenced and appreciated in this chapter.
 
On the whole, The Serpent and the Serpent Slayer is enjoyable, stimulating, and provocative.  Not only is a major them highlighted and brought to bear upon the overarching scope of the Bible, but along the way the reader learns helpful interpretive rules that provide the keys to complex narratives. 
 
There were a few minor points of disagreement along the way, but overall much more chicken than bones.  I will share two particular points of disagreement, one minor and one major, that I hope will aid future readers.  
 
First, on page 36, Naselli draws a chart that parallels Genesis 3:6, Luke 4:1-13, and 1 John 2:16 and then tentatively states, “I am not certain that the three phrases in 1 John 2:16 line up exactly with Genesis 3:16 and Luke 4 or that John has these parallels in mind. But the three phrases in 1 John 2:16 seem to line up at least roughly with Genesis 3:6 and Luke 4, so the parallel seems legitimate.”   Though you might could argue that John 2:16 has some parallels with Genesis 3:16, but believe Luke 4 stands outside the scope of the parallel.  When Jesus was tempted to throw himself from the pentacle of the temple, what was at stake was not the “pride of life” but rather the tempting of God.  This may seem like a minor thing, and maybe it is, but I feel it needs to be noted.  
 
Secondly, and more importantly, in chapter 4 (pages 119-120), Naselli introduces three broad theological perspectives on Revelation: Premillennialism, Postmillennialism, and Amillennialism. The threefold categorization is overly simplistic and becomes problematic in what follows.  Naselli recounts how he used to hold the Premillennial view, but has lately sided more along the lines of the Amillennial and concludes by stating, “But you millennial view isn’t that important.”  In footnote 16 he goes on to state, “The professors and pastors with whom I serve hold variations of all three views, and we get along just fine! Using the model of theological triage, one’s millennial view should not be a cardinal doctrine (i.e., a teaching that is most central and essential to Christianity - what is “of first importance” [1 Cor. 15:3]) or a denominational distinctive (i.e., an important teaching that is a disputable matter.”  The problem with Naselli’s assessment is twofold: First, by failing to distinguish between the divergent views of Premillennialism, the reader is left with the impression that it does not matter if one holds to Dispensational Premillennialism or not.  I strongly disagree.  It does matter if one views the church as the afterthought of Christ, that Jesus failed in His earthly mission, and that ethnic Jews are still the people of God (not the church).  Such a view of the church and mission of Christ is heretical and must be rejected.  Second, in an attempt to breed unity on a divisive issue, Naselli has deemed eschatological viewpoints as “non-essential” to Christianity.  If they are not “essential” why did God include matters of eschatology in the Bible?  Furthermore, how are we to determine which doctrines are “essential” and which are not?  When man begins to limit doctrines to categories of “essential” or “non-essential” true biblical unity is no longer possible because God’s full revelation has been exchanged for the arbitrary “likes” of an individual or group of individuals.  
 
Though I strongly disagree with Naselli on the “essential” nature of one’s eschatological viewpoint, I still feel his book overall was an enjoyable, helpful, and enlightening read.  Distinguishing between meat and bones does not mean that the meat should be rejected.  

The first thing I would note is that the footnotes provided in “Finding Favor in the Sight of God” are invaluable and well worth the price of the volume.  Belcher’s scholarship and research are illuminated in his use of primary and secondary resources and he has provided the reader will find an extensive list and critique of reference materials on Proverbs and related studies.  Why reinvent the wheel and waste a lot of money on unknown materials when a reliable source provides you with a list of tools?
 
Belcher's book provides an introduction to Wisdom Literature in general and Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes in particular. I have not yet read the portions that deal with Job and Ecclesiastes, so I will not comment on those portions except to state that if they provide a fraction of what is found in the Proverbs portion they will be worth the read.
 
The first chapter deals with the difficulties and benefits of Wisdom literature in the Old Testament.  Belcher addresses issues of authorship, origin, genre, theology, difficulty, hermeneutics, and relevance.  One of the most helpful parts of the book’s introduction is its focus on Wisdom literature’s emphasis on observation and creation.  Part of the purpose of Wisdom literature is to draw understanding from what is knowable through creation and the creation order.  God speaks to His creation through the orderliness of creation itself and therein lays one of Wisdom’s greatest arguments.  Though not designed exclusively for apologetic purposes, the Wisdom literature of the Bible forces the reader to grapple with the nature of the Creator and what it means to be made in His image.
 
The three chapters dedicated to the book of Proverbs deal primarily with structural, hermeneutic, and thematic content of the book.  Belcher convincingly establishes in chapter one that Proverbs 1-9 is a self-contained unit that provides a set of lens through which to approach the rest of the book.  As randomly as the latter half of the book may appear to be at times, the first nine chapters are quite ordered and provide a clear explanation of the eleven lectures and four teachings of Lady Wisdom.   Life’s obstacles are identified, Wisdom is personified (Lady Wisdom), and her ways are justified.  The wisdom that was in the beginning of creation is shown to be present in the creation and embodied in the Creator (John 1:18).
 
Belcher’s second chapter on Proverbs tackles difficulties associated with interpreting proverbs.  Literary and canonical context are both discussed at length and the unique genre of a proverb is contrasted with the genre of law. Belcher presents a persuasive case that proverbs are an application of wisdom rather than iron-clad rules that fit every situation.  Belcher defends his position of genre by discussing the difficulty of contradicting and dueling proverbs and showing wisdom’s requirement for different approaches in different circumstances.
 
The final chapter on Proverbs addresses three theological themes that run throughout the book: The Sovereignty of God, the order of creation and its implications, and the scope of life (both present and eternal).  The order of creation provides an introduction to the concept of Natural Law and places of large portion of Proverbs under that heading.  Though the order of creation is identified as a source of wisdom, the corruption of that order through sin is also identified as a stumbling block and a reason for needing special revelation (Positive Law).  The discussion of special revelation culminates in a brief refutation of a commonly held position that the Old Testament (and the book of Proverbs in particular) does not address the concept of life after death, while at the same time building a positive case for Proverb’s elucidation of the topic.
 
Assessment and Benefits:
 
Finding Favor in the Sight of God provides a meaty to Proverbs without becoming pedantic; it is neither fluffy nor dense but balanced and provocative.  It successfully whets the appetite, builds confidence, provides a foundation, produces awe, and challenges the reader to pursue wisdom through the unending depths of Proverbs.  Before engaging in a study of the book as a whole on either a congregational or individual level, I would highly recommend obtaining a copy of this work and giving it a reflective read.

​One of the last conversations I remember having with my Papa was about the Book of Ecclesiastes. I discovered that it was his favorite book of the Bible and one that had both intrigued and puzzled him through the years. I remember him saying, "If a man could get his mind wrapped around the Book of Ecclesiastes, I believe it could really change his life."
 
Since that conversation I have repeatedly found myself turning to Ecclesiastes and pondering its message. I too have become intrigued with and often puzzled with Solomon's expression of wisdom.
 
A couple years ago Brother Ron Courter held a meeting at my home congregation and spent several nights teaching from Ecclesiastes. He printed his notes in a booklet and we are happy to offer those notes in our bookstore through the link below.
 
Other than Brother Ron's notes, I have never found any outstanding material that really helped to unlock the message of Ecclesiastes in a way that made it's message come to life in both a practical and preachable way. That is until I read Living Life Backwards by David Gibson.
 
Here is the synopsis from the back cover:
 
Only by keeping the end in mind can a person truly learn how to live in the here and now. Living in light of our death reorients us to our limitations as creatures and helps us see God’s good gifts right in front of us—enabling us to live wisely, freely, and generously. Drawing on wisdom from the book of Ecclesiastes, David Gibson teaches us to embrace this countercultural mind-set and live life backward: to take the one thing in the future that is certain—our death—and work backward when it comes to our priorities, goals, desires, and decisions. If we do this, we'll learn that only with a proper perspective on death can we find meaning and satisfaction in life—and see just how great God is.
 
I highly recommend this book and believe it to be the best introduction/overview of Ecclesiastes available. It is engaging, practical, challenging, and reflective.  It will punch you in the gut with its boldness and challenge you to reconsider both your priorities in life and your purpose for living.  This book is not for the faint of heart, nor is it for those who are resistant to change.  Grab a copy and discover (perhaps for the first time) Solomon’s message of wisdom for modern man.
 
 Reading Level: Moderate