Book Review: Scripture is Supreme (Essentials Series), Tim Chester

In this ten-volume series, the Essentials Series “introduces the essential, non-negotiable truths of the gospel” (7). There are a few series that do this same thing. What makes this one different? This is the first volume I have read so far (three have been released to date), but this volume was very easy to read and understand. It revolves around ten doctrines core to the Christian faith, fully revealed to us in the gospel.

This series will cover how the gospel is good news about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Scripture gives us revelation from the Father—it is supreme, inspired, and trustworthy. Through it we have redemption by the Son—because of Christ exclusive identity and sufficient work we are justified by faith alone. Because of the gospel message we are regenerated through the Spirit—we experience a new birth, we have new life, and we are a new people. All of this is centered on the Trinity. This series is intended to “introduce, and refresh readers in, this gospel” (9).

Tim Chester is a senior faculty member of Crosslands Training and the author of over forty books. Unfortunately, I must say this was the first book written by Tim Chester that I have read. He is incredible! If I could choose that all books were written by one author, I honestly might choose Chester as that author. His examples were clear and his train of thought easy to follow. He was simply enjoyable to read.

Chester covers the supremacy of Scripture in only five chapters. That’s 81 pages! Perhaps it’s because I have five young kids, but I am becoming that dad who loves small books. I don’t know when I’ll get around to reading Kingdom Through Covenant cover to cover, but this book was easy to pick up and read. I didn’t  have to figure out where in a theological maze I had left off.

Chester emphasizes the voice behind the Bible that gives its supreme authority (ch 1), an authority that is personal (ch 2). While Wikipedia gives us information, it doesn’t have any authority over our lives. God has the authority to rule and so to speak. To say “Scripture is supreme” is to mean “God is supreme, and he speaks through Scripture” (31). When we exhort people to trust the Bible, we aren’t pointing them to a written code “but to the very words of God” (31). If God is trustworthy, then his word must be trustworthy lest he be a hypocrite (32). God has given us his word as his herald, to reveal God’s intentions for our lives. We bow to the King, not the herald. But as Chester points out, we do not ignore the herald either! The herald speaks the words of the King!

In chapter three Chester emphasizes that this authority extends over every place and every one. That does not mean we go to the Bible to know which car mechanic we should call. “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life” (2 Pet 1:3–4), and it is revealed in and through his word. Chester notes, “God has not left us in the dark. Our problem is not a lack of information” (45). We must submit to the word as we understand it. While we might not know what to do about social media, God gives us a framework for how to relate to others, loving one another as we love ourselves and living peaceably with all people as much as is possible. That actually tells us a lot about how we should act on social media and how much we should be on it vs. being present in the real world.

Chapter four shows that this authority is vital. It matters. We all need and rely on our reason, experience, and the traditions we’ve grown up with and the thinking of Christians over the centuries. But Scripture—not reason, experience, or tradition—is the “supreme authority in theology” (58). Christians are not to be irrational or illogical. Rather we understand that there is more going on outside this natural world. While we rely on our reason and experiences, Chester, looking at Romans 1, writes that “our reason is shaped by our desires. That means we use our intellectual powers to excuse our rebellious behavior or create alternative worldviews that edit out our obligation to God” (72).  Along with that, [o]ur hopes, fears, longings, and feelings are all now in a mess” (72). The words of Scripture are not the words of a tyrant, but of “the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his people (John 10:11)” (77).

The final chapter, chapter five, shows the dynamic authority of Scripture by asking, “How does Scripture work?” Because God still speaks and acts through Scripture, Scripture changes us. We meet God through the words, and he brings us to life to follow him. He reassures us of his love and promises for us. He recaptures those who are at risk of falling away. He works!

Recommended?

This is a lovely little book that I couldn’t recommend more highly. If the whole series is like this, this will be a top-notch series every church should have on hand for their members. Chester writes in a down-to-earth way that is clear and speaks to everybody. Highly recommended.

Buy it on Amazon or from Union Publishing!

Lagniappe

• Author: Tim Chester
• Paperback: 95 pages
• Publisher: Union Publishing (September 18, 2023)

Review Disclosure: I received this book free from Union Publishing. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html.

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.