JOHN LENNOX’s declared aim in this book is to show how Abraham’s life serves as a model for faithful living today. It is not intended for academic study, but for faithful Christians who see Abraham as the key figure who gets the biblical story under way and want a more thorough exploration of the part that he plays.

The author is one of the foremost apologetic figures in the ebbing firefight between believers and the “new atheists”, using his substantial scientific weight in debate and writing. It’s not surprising, therefore, that in this book atheists and secular world-views are still regular targets as he ranges widely applying life-lessons from Abraham’s journey to today’s dilemmas.

Lennox has done his research and quotes generously from sources as varied as Aristotle and Robert Alter, Jonathan Sacks and Yuval Harari. He argues, and then assumes, the case for the historicity of Abraham and the events of his life, offering a clear analysis of the stages of his Genesis journey.

Having laid out the significance of the diverse events and relationships that Abraham went through, the author often slips easily (too easily?) into the New Testament when exploring big themes such as covenant, sacrifice, and justification, and just as easily applies the vagaries of Abraham’s life to contemporary issues such as the fragmentation of language, idolatry, and moral relativism.

There is ample material here for preachers wanting to communicate the riches of Abraham’s story for congregations open to thoughtful exploration of the successes, failures, evasions, and faithfulness of this foundational figure of three of the world’s great faiths. One considerable strength of this book is Lennox’s easy and readable style, which makes the story accessible and applicable to the experience of Christians now.

Lennox manages to be both warm and combative — depending on who the reader is. It is easy to feel that you’re listening to a talk or a sermon with frequent allusions to the writer’s personal experience and views. He clearly writes from faith to faith; so you know conclusively that you’re in the hands of an enthusiast who loves his Bible and is passionate about his faith.

To make the preacher’s or home group leader’s life easier, there is a Study Guide accompanying the book. This offers a summary of the main points in each chapter and then a series of “application questions” for group discussion or individual reflection.

Taken on its own terms, this is a valuable book for the church leader who wants to use the Old Testament in preaching and teaching and to make sure that this relates to the lives of contemporary Christians. The reader has to accept the bold historicity that the author assumes and not be put off by applications that might sometimes seem a little forced. But then the result is a thoughtful and satisfying study of a key figure in our faith, written with conviction and verve.


The Rt Revd John Pritchard is a former Bishop of Oxford.

Friend of God: The inspiration of Abraham in an age of doubt
John C. Lennox
SPCK £16.99
(978-0-281-08911-6)
Church Times Bookshop £15.29

Friend of God Study Guide: Discussing and applying the message of Abraham today
John C. Lennox and Joseph McRae Mellichamp
SPCK £10.99
(978-0-281-08926-0)
Church Times Bookshop £9.89