Knocking on Heaven's Door

Scripture is filled with examples of prayer and supplication. Many of these prayers teach us about God and our relationship to Him, and can be rich sources of sound theological teaching. Crump, professor of religion and philosophy at Calvin College and author of Jesus the Intercessor, brings together a series of insightful and deeply spiritual thoughts on some of the major petitionary prayers in the Bible, which he describes as "asking for an audience with the cosmic king, and then making our requests clearly known." He expresses some concern that incorrect teaching on petitionary prayer can lead to disappointment and a consequent loss of faith, and sees the solution in a rational and scripturally sound approach to understanding the prayer relationship between God and humanity. Crump carefully studies several of Jesus' parables, the Lord's Prayer and the Pauline writings, among others, as they explain and clarify God's intent in urging his followers to pray. Crump's exacting attention to the original languages and a diversity of scholarship, along with his clear writing style, provide a rich and rewarding study of petitionary prayer. Academics and general readers alike will find much to appreciate. (July) 

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