Joshua and the flow of Biblical history by Dr Francis Schaeffer.
Hodder & Stoughton, 1975 192 pages £ 2.95 ISBN 0 340 185 540
The central argument of Francis Schaeffer’s book is the continuous flow of Biblical history.
In this case, Joshua acts as a crucial link between Moses, the Pentateuch and the rest of the Old Testament story.
Of course, the book of Joshua has its own intrinsic merit as the chosen people of God take possession of the Promised Land, the land flowing with milk and honey.
References to the crossing of the Jordan, Rahab and the spies, the conquest of Jericho, the defeat at Ai,, the sin of Achan, the conquest of Ai, the apportionment of land to the tribes and more, are all part and parcel of Joshua’s story.
Yet the details of this part of the chosen people’s history are presented here by Dr Schaeffer in order to show the flow of Biblical history with a sovereign God in relation to his people – with all their ups and downs.
This exegesis, carefully and compellingly argued by a philosopher and theologian whose influence in Europe and the United States was profound and widespread, serves to further enhance the deserved reputation of a fine Christian communicator.