High Street Press publishes study on the Book of Life

JEFFERSON CITY (High Street Press) – The Missouri Baptist Convention, through its publisher High Street Press, has published a new resource for personal or group study entitled The Book of Life: God’s Register of the Redeemed.

The 450-page paperback examines all references to the Book of Life in Scripture. The Bible mentions dozens of books, from the Book of the Wars of the Lord to a scroll with seven seals that only Jesus is worthy to open. But perhaps the most fascinating book of Scripture is the one that records the names of the redeemed of all time.

The Book of Life was written by Rob Phillips of the MBC team. As he explains in the introduction, the very idea of ​​this book raises questions: What is the Book of Life? Why does it exist? Whose names are recorded there? Can names once recorded be erased? Why does Christ open the Book of Life on Judgement Day? And how can people know that their names are recorded there?

The Bible provides fragmentary answers—the phrase “Book of Life” appears explicitly in only eight passages—which must be pieced together and considered in the context of all of God’s written revelations to understand the divine purpose of the Book of Life. In this study, readers will discover that the Book of Life reveals the eternal destiny of all people. It is, as the apostle John writes, the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev. 21:27), and those whose names are written there will be preserved from the lake of fire and welcomed into the New Jerusalem.

A person’s entry in the Book of Life is not based on merit, but on the finished work of the Lamb who was slain and in whose blood the names of the redeemed are written.

The Bible tells us that the Book of Life is God’s book. Under His sovereign authorship, names are written in the book and many are later erased from it. In some biblical passages, the Book of Life appears to be merely a record of the living, while in other passages it is the list of God’s faithful covenant people – whose names the Lord promises never to blot out. Context is the key to discovering the correct application.

The book consists of three sections.

Section I: What is the Book of Life? lays the foundation for an examination of Old and New Testament passages on this subject. It explains that the Book of Life is God’s record of the redeemed and that it is a real book, not a metaphor for God’s memory. This section also examines the connection between the Book of Life and the Lamb’s Book of Life. Finally, the challenging question is addressed: What does it mean that the Book of Life was written “from the foundation of the world”?

Section II: The Book of Life in the Old Testament delves into seven passages in the Old Testament where the Book of Life is referred to by different names while maintaining divine consistency.

Section III: The Book of Life in the New Testament takes readers from Jesus’ words in Luke’s Gospel—that his disciples’ names are “written in heaven”—to the apostle John’s end-time vision of the New Jerusalem. The final chapter invites readers to ask themselves if their names are written in the Book of Life and offers biblical insight to find out the answer. “Concluding Thoughts” provides a summary of 20 important biblical truths about the Book of Life.

Each chapter ends with a review of key points and questions for personal or group study.

In addition, there are six appendices for further reflection, including a listing of direct and indirect references to the Book of Life in Scripture, a record of all ten references to “the creation of the world” in the New Testament, three questions about hell, eternal fire – Satan’s final destiny, the Book of Life in non-biblical literature, and passing the point of no return.

In his foreword to the book, Andy Chambers, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Missouri Baptist University, writes: “Although short articles on the Book of Life have been published in Bible dictionaries, I am not aware of any comprehensive attempt to summarize the entire counsel of God on this important subject as this book does. Through patient and careful interpretation of Scripture, Rob brings together every Bible teaching on the Book of Life.”

The book is available in print and e-book editions from retailers such as Amazon.

While individual copies can be ordered through Amazon and other retailers for $24.95, MBC is offering Baptist churches in Missouri that order five or more copies a greatly discounted price of $15 per copy, including shipping. The offer also applies to churches in state congregations that partner with Missouri – Montana and Minnesota/Wisconsin.

To obtain bulk copies of this new resource, church leaders can call the MBC at 573.636.0400 extension 301 or email [email protected].

To ask Phillips to speak at your church or lead a conference, email [email protected].

To learn more about other resources from High Street Press – including books for personal or group study on The Baptist Faith and Messagethe Trinity, salvation, the afterlife, Satan and other topics – visit highstreet.press.