Graham A. Cole, Glorification: An Introduction (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2022), 138 pp.
The three pillars of the Christian life are justification, sanctification, and glorification. Justification is a past event that takes place at a point in time. Sanctification is the necessary result of justification and takes place during the course of one’s Christian life. Glorification is a future event that every follower of Christ anticipates. Glorification: An Introduction by Graham A. Cole explores the wonder of this encouraging doctrine.
The author grounds his argument in a discussion that focuses on the glory of God. God’s glory is defined and described. The author is quick to suggest that God shares his glory with his creatures.
Dr. Cole explores what he refers to as “the glorious divine project,” where God reveals himself in the person and work of his Son and redeems a people for his own possession. It becomes apparent that the cosmos is not a place where accidents take place or where “chance” rules. Rather, God intentionally shares his glory with his creatures. “The glory Adam lost, Christ as the new Adam regains for us.”
These grand realities put us in a position where we are prepared to walk on the pathways to glory. Cole writes, “The prospect of glory provides motivation to live a godly life in the here and now.” The pathways to glory are marked out by the sovereign work of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. This work eventually finds its culmination in the glorification of the elect.
Heaven is explored but must be seen as “penultimate.” For “the final home for God’s people is the new earth and the Jerusalem that has come down out of heaven to the renewed earth.” Here the Platonic vision of heaven is eschewed and the biblical model of real bodies on a real new earth is celebrated.
Glorification: An Introduction is a commendable book and recommended for anyone who wants to dig deeply into the subject of personal eschatology. Dr. Coles is a clear writer and engages fairly with authors who disagree. This work is an essential part of every growing theological library.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
Veritas et Lux 