Transforming Church

Barker is an expert on Old Testament first temple theology. She has argued convincingly in her books that first temple theology knew of incarnation and atonement, the sons of God and the life of the age to come, the day of judgment, justification, salvation, the renewed covenant and the kingdom of God. In her reconstruction of temple theology and symbolism, on the day of atonement, the king or the high priest is transformed into a son of God and given immortal divine status, like the angels, for the purpose of doing the mission of God on earth. In entering into the holy of holies, on earth, this human enters theologically into the garden of Eden in heaven. Thus, the title of the book which reflects of course Jesus' words in the Lord's prayer, On Earth as it is in Heaven.

Barker observes p.xi that many of the new hymns written in charismatic and evangelical churches, such as, "Majesty," "The Servant King," and "Shine Jesus Shine," intuitively reflect first temple theology as the matrix for understanding Jesus and early Christianity. In Barker's writings transformation is a dominant theme in first temple theology, Jesus, and early Christianity. In this little book, Barker does a masterful job of explaining the significance of the light (chp 2), the life (chp 3), the blood (chp 4), and the robe (chp 5). Highly recommended for understanding Jesus, the Gospel of John, Paul, the Old Testament, and the significance of Christian transformation. Pr. Ted Coleman