Journal: Christian Apologetics Journal
Volume: CAJ 10:2 (Fall 2012)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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CAJ 10:2 Fall 2012) p. 137

Book Reviews

Discovering the Mystery of the Unity of God. John Metzger. Ariel Press, 2010. 805 pp. $49.95. ISBN 978–1–935174–04–2.

John Metzger has produced an excellent, well composed volume on the Unity/Tri–unity of God. Showing how scholars “play down” the Tri–unity of God as a concoction of the church, he reveals how tri–unity is rejected by Judaism. He examines the question, “Is the Tri–unity of God an invention of the church, or is it mentioned throughout the Old Testament?” Metzger makes a salient point by arguing that if the Tri–unity of God is solely a concept of the church, then the Jewish people cannot be held liable for rejecting the God/man Jesus Christ. This would mean that God and the church are unjustly holding the Jews responsible for something they could not have known. Therefore, the sole purpose of this book is to “prove” the Tri–unity of God in the Old Testament alone. This volume illustrates the Jewish Messiah as God, and this God is a plurality in unity. Using an excellent Table of Contents along with a detailed index, Metzger lays out his argumentation in a clear systemic way. Beginning with an initial page of the Hebrew alphabet, Metzger moves carefully and precisely through his position, starting with the question, “Is Judaism and the Christian faith Compatible?” With an incredible analysis and exegesis,

CAJ 10:2 Fall 2012) p. 138

Metzger concludes with the answer, “Yes.” Citing numerous examples, he demonstrates the Tri–unity of God in the Old Testament.

This volume is apropos for Old Testament scholars, Jewish theologians, and the study of theology proper. The laity with an interest and knowledge of the Old Testament will derive much from this volume, enhancing their knowledge and understanding of the Old Testament. Those with a rudimentary knowledge should do preliminary background work first before attempting to tackle this volume. It will not only answer questions about the Trinity in the Old Testament, but, using the arguments laid out by Metzger, will also demonstrate the fallacious argumentation of Open Theist Although Open Theism is never mentioned “anywhere” in this volume, many of the passages they cite are convincingly refuted.

This volume has several positives and negatives about it. First the negatives: the mammoth size of the book, 861 pages, makes for a laborious read. From beginning to end, the reader is swamped with an enormous amount of information. Although well written in a plain, easy–to–read manner, the amount of information can be overwhelming. This volume should be read slowly. Another negative is that a reader must have a fairly good foundation in Old Testament, Jewish, and theological studies before attempting to r...

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