Mitchell L. Chase, Short of Glory: A Biblical and Theological Exploration of the Fall (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2023), 212 pp.
Most small children memorize Romans 3:23 as a part of their education in the church: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” These children grow up, having memorized this verse but many fail to understand the gravity of what it means to fall short of God’s glory. Isaiah 43:7 drives home the importance of what it means to live for the glory of God:“Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Mitchell Chase sheds light on this important subject in his book, Short of Glory: A Biblical and Theological Exploration of the Fall. The author notes, “By thinking about the Bible’s storyline that takes readers from the garden to the lasting city, we can understand where to plot our own lives.”
So the book begins in the Garden of Eden where the first couple disobeyed God and fell under the curse. They were cast out of the garden and faced the prospect of physical and spiritual death. The first couple fell short of God’s glory. As such, there was a new spiritual chasm that existed between Adam and Eve and God. Chase observes, ‘This separation is relational. Due to sin, God’s image bearers do not naturally enjoy peace and communion with God. Due to sin, God’s image bearers reject his righteous rule and wise commands.”
Chase guides readers from the garden to the New Earth in successive steps that emerge in redemptive history from the promise of a Redeemer in Genesis 3:15 to the incarnation of Jesus, his perfect life, death, burial, and resurrection and his coming in glory and reign in eternity future. At the heart of the discussion is a helpful treatment of the so-called covenant of works: “When theologians teach that Adam was in a ‘covenant of works,’ they are not implying that Adam merited or earned his standing with God.” This covenant helps elucidate the importance of the cross of Christ and points to a coming Redeemer who would ultimately fulfill the covenant that Adam failed to carry out.
Another helpful discussion concerns salvation through judgment. Drawing deep into the wells of James Hamilton’s excellent work, God’s Glory in Salvation Through Judgment, Dr. Chase shows how Jesus is revealed and crushes the head of the serpent through death, or salvation through judgment.
Short of Glory is a short overview that rivets the attention of readers on the gospel. The author adds, “While Genesis 3 tells of the unfaithfulness in a garden, the four Gospels tell of faithfulness in a garden. The last Adam came to crush a serpent and redeem a people. He came to reverse the curse.” May each person read this excellent work with eyes to see the shattering effects of sin and the majesty and glory of our Triune God and his redemptive purposes!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
Veritas et Lux 