Book by D.A. Carson
Book Review by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz
We live in the last days. No, I’m not about to talk about a particular event in the news that shows a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. It’s actually the time period between the first coming of Christ and the second coming of His return. This is the position of Scripture, which has been written for our instruction, reproof, correction and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In fact, the apostle John himself wrote of the last hour: “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.” Knowing this, how does God call us to live? Does He call us to live in a certain way?
According to D.A. Carson (even more importantly, Scripture), the answer is yes. In one of his short books, From the Resurrection to His Return, Carson exposits 2 Timothy 3:1-4:8, pointing out what Paul himself instructed Timothy in terms of how to live, since “there will be terrible times in the last days.” Coming from a sermon he’s preached a number of times, Carson draws us to see what is most important for Paul to tell another saint as he is about to pass from this world onto the next. Paul knows he is at the end of his life, and wants to impart the truths of God to his faithful child of the faith, so that he may know how to live and then pass that on to others. Reading like a sermon, Carson goes through Paul’s list of 19 characteristic traits of those who make these times terrible, the same term that is used of the Gadarene demoniac. To make Timothy aware of this not only is to keep him and those who want to be faithful away from such wicked people, but to also keep themselves from temptation, that they themselves would not fall prey to a life of profession which, at the same time, denies the power of God that always changes us. So how does Paul warn Timothy to live knowing all this?
In four chapters, Carson points us to how to live faithfully today in these last days:
- hold the right mentors in high regard,
- hold few illusions about the world,
- hold on to the Bible, and
- hold out the Bible to others.
When there are false teachers running amok in the church as well as false professors of Christ, Timothy can’t help but look to faithful men with a real outlook of the world and trusting completely in the Word of God, passing that on to his congregation. Similar to J.C. Ryle’s Thoughts for Young Men, instructions are given to those who are either beginning the journey of following Christ or are at a spiritual crossroads, confused by what they see or read, and how to be faithful to the God who made us all. Paul points Timothy to his own life of faith, and that he should trust him to guide him in the right path, not only because of what he says (even though he is an apostle), but also his example. This is where Carson makes some great insights: “Do you ever say to a young Christian, ‘Do you want to know what Christianity is like? Watch me!’ If you never do, you are unbiblical” (p.26). He also points to those who are in need of a mentor:
You must therefore ask, ‘Does this person I am thinking of follow apostolic teaching? How about his way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, sufferings? What are the virtues and experiences in a potential mentor that are worth imitating? Do you see the point? Choose your mentors and then hold those right mentors in high regard. (27)
He then gives the example of a college friend who was seen as a resource to answer difficult questions believer and non-believer alike had. He also was a fairly brash individual, who would not waste time with people who were playing around and were not serious about the things of Christ. Yet when a self-confessing liberal did not see any substantial difference between one who believes in the literal resurrection of Jesus and himself who didn’t, Carson’s friend answered, “Watch me.” He also told him to move in to his home and live with him for the rest of the semester and see whether he tell there was a difference or not. Though the liberal student didn’t take him up on his offer, he did continue to watch his life and later came to follow Christ. What a bold example of a mentor who knows the importance of mentoring. If only everyone in church saw the importance of finding mentors, as well as believers becoming mentors for the sake of the newborn saints.
Carson then goes on to dispel many believers’ misguided views of the world, driven by the culture’s constant message of tolerance and avoidance of criticism as well as critical thinking, knowing that as people age in life, their wickedness only grows exponentially, not less. We have to be on guard about this in the way we think and see the world around us. What follows is a wholehearted commitment to the Scriptures, the same Scriptures that led Timothy to faith in Christ. Because of what Scripture is (God-breathed revelation), it is practical, and is designed to change our way of life and thought, because it brings us to Jesus. Finally, Paul calls Timothy to give the Word to his people at Ephesus, a call for all pastors to heed. Yet, knowing that Christ has commanded His disciples (not just the twelve) to make disciples and teach them all He has commanded, we as congregants in our churches, faithful believers are to do the same. As you look out into the world of relationships, where is this being fulfilled in your life? We “constantly are to be teaching and declaring the Word of God” (pp. 44-45) to our small groups, disciples, family members, coworkers, and on and on.
This book is small, but packs a punch. It draws us away from our own opinions to the Word of God to direct our hearts and minds to the goal of Christ, and adjust accordingly, with the help of the Holy Spirit. I’m thankful for the number of individuals who have invested in my life to follow hard after Christ, and live faithfully in these last days, and hope to follow theirs and Paul’s example for the rest of my life. I’m sure Paul would agree.
Editor’s Note: You can read this book online for free.