Unceremoniously dismissed from his lectureship in New Testament, Dr. Edward J. Sutherland uses his forced retirement to struggle through a thicket of end-times issues in a conservative church. Interaction with a defense lawyer induces him to reconsider his inherited eschatology by engaging honestly with the biblical text. He faces conflict within himself, with a crusading dispensationalist, church elders, a newly appointed American pastor, and a militant atheist.
Set in the Sunshine Coast of subtropical Australia, the book goes beyond entertaining through romance, touches of humor, and conflict resolution. Readers are exposed to vigorous discussions: at a surf club, a backyard barbecue, a second-coming conference, in a neighbor's lounge room, or via email. They are forced to examine their presuppositions on topics including the rapture, the antichrist, the tribulation, the purpose of Christ's second coming, and the kingdom of God. Whether they alter their views on such topics is less important than that they cultivate sound principles of biblical interpretation, uphold the integrity of Jesus and the biblical authors, and respect fellow Christians with whom they disagree.
Ivan Bowden, now retired, lectured in theology, hermeneutics, homiletics, and New Testament Greek at Bible colleges in Australia for over thirty-five years, particularly at the Bible College of Queensland, now Brisbane School of Theology.
“Ivan Bowden is an excellent scholar with a leading passion: that readers of the Bible focus upon the meaning of the text in its original setting before making applications of it to future times. As eschatology is the most likely subject by which to win or lose friends, it is a joy to find an approach that domesticates the issue by means of a novel.”
—Raymond J. Laird, Retired Bible college principal
“Ivan Bowden’s thought-provoking book Through the Thicket is not just another work of fiction about the last days, it is a gripping and intelligent story. It reads well, its characters sound real, and it explores an understanding of the End that is very different from Left Behind.”
— David Malcolm Bennett, Author of The Origins of Left Behind Eschatology
“Join Ed and Charlotte Sutherland as they take an eschatological, ecclesial and social journey Through the Thicket. This delightfully Australian tale regularly introduces characters who have you saying, ‘I know someone just like that!’ But don’t be fooled by the engaging nature of the story. Ivan Bowden has skillfully used his narrative to make some serious theological points—something the Bible also does very well.”
—Ian Hussey, Lecturer, Malyon College, Brisbane, Australia
“The ability to tell a good story is a gift. You either have it or you don’t. The author has it and the result is a book you simply cannot put down. Through the Thicket argues persuasively that many popular eschatological interpretations have been embraced without seriously engaging with the biblical text. The author challenges us to greater exegetical integrity. For many years, I have savored the author’s wise words. Now it’s your turn to taste his wisdom.”
—Terry Thrupp, Retired adult educator
For Website:
“For many Christians, the subject of eschatology/end times is both daunting and divisive. The range of views and complexity of the discussions can often make people feel like they have entered a maze or a minefield. Many can come away either feeling apathetic—it will all pan out in the end; or dogmatic—closed to the possibility their view might be wrong. Through the Thicket is not an eschatological treatise but a story of one man’s battle to honestly, and often reluctantly, confront questions in his own mind regarding what the Bible says about the last days and the timing of Christ’s return. The result is a stimulating and informative book written by an experienced preacher, exegete and theologian covering subjects such as the kingdom of God, the rapture, the identity of Babylon in Revelation, and what happens to Christians when they die; all couched within a story about friendship, romance, controversy, suffering, reconciliation, and fishing. Along the way, the reader will also be treated to some invaluable insights on how to respond to atheism, decision making and God’s will, the nature of perseverance, and reading the Bible. But be warned, Through the Thicket is a provocative and challenging read that may well leave readers neither the luxury of apathy or dogmatism, but a desire to learn more and humbly engage with the views of others. If so, then the book will have served its purpose.”
Dr Alan Stanley, Formerly, Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Theology, Brisbane School of Theology
Related Titles
