Jesus, Lover of My Soul
by Julian Hardyman | Book Summary
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Author: Julian Hardyman
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The Bible presents us with wonderful pictures. He is a Father. We know and love this image, but there is another: God is a Lover. Specifically, Jesus is the bridegroom and we, His people, are His bride. This is less familiar, though it flows through Scripture, and has comforted Christians for centuries. In fact, it may be the reason the Song of Songs is in the Bible. The 20th century revival of preaching the Song overlooked the spiritual dynamics of the book pointing both to human love and beyond to God's relationship with His people. Yet, Jesus comes towards us in the Song with passionate desire. If we allow ourselves to hear, His voice calls to us with longing: "Let me see your face" (Son. 2:14). Let us dwell on God as lover "because Jesus as Lover of our souls is one of the great pictures God has given us for his love, and because it has great power to take us deeper in our relationship with him" (p. 9). |
Julian Hardyman is senior pastor at Eden Baptist Church, Cambridge, in the UK. He studied English Literature at Oxford University, and worked as production manager for IVP, followed by studies for an MDiv from Trinity Evangelical School, Chicago. He has been on staff at Eden since 1996, becoming senior pastor in 2002.
Julian is part of the Trust Board of the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches, a UK network of independent evangelical churches. He has written other titles including Idols, Maximum Life, and Fresh Pathways in Prayer.
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
by Julian Hardyman
[ Book Summary ]
| Author | Julian Hardyman |
| Publisher | IVP |
| Date | 19 Nov 2020 |
| Pages | 197 |
Overview:
God is love (1 Jo. 4:8). This is a precious truth. God loves us in Christ. This is even more precious. But what does God's love for us look like?
The Bible presents us with wonderful pictures. He is a Father. We know and love this image, but there is another: God is a Lover. Specifically, Jesus is the bridegroom and we, His people, are His bride. This is less familiar, though it flows through Scripture, and has comforted Christians for centuries. In fact, it may be the reason the Song of Songs is in the Bible.
The 20th century revival of preaching the Song overlooked the spiritual dynamics of the book pointing both to human love and beyond to God's relationship with His people. Yet, Jesus comes towards us in the Song with passionate desire. If we allow ourselves to hear, His voice calls to us with longing: "Let me see your face" (Son. 2:14).
Let us dwell on God as lover "because Jesus as Lover of our souls is one of the great pictures God has given us for his love, and because it has great power to take us deeper in our relationship with him" (p. 9).
Julian Hardyman is senior pastor at Eden Baptist Church, Cambridge, in the UK. He studied English Literature at Oxford University, and worked as production manager for IVP, followed by studies for an MDiv from Trinity Evangelical School, Chicago. He has been on staff at Eden since 1996, becoming senior pastor in 2002.
Julian is part of the Trust Board of the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches, a UK network of independent evangelical churches. He has written other titles including Idols, Maximum Life, and Fresh Pathways in Prayer.