Precious Enemy: A Biblical Portrait of Death

King Solomon asserted love is as strong as death (Song of Solomon 8:6). Solomon the wisest of all Israels kings recognized that while every human would eventually succumb to death death is not ultimate in power. The God whose essence is love designed and created both human life and death as instruments for the display of his own splendor and purposes. Neither human life nor death then can deviate from Gods ultimate purpose and good for the creature made in his own image. Biblically death serves as the perfect foil to mark both the immeasurable value of human life and at the same time the relatively limited value of it. Rather than either worshipping or desecrating this finite gift of human life we can value it rightly and also worship the God who in his literally infinite wisdom gives and takes away life in accord with his good and gracious purposes. FOR BACK COVER: Death is an unpleasant subject. We dont like to speak about it so euphemisms like shes passed and hes in a much better place abound. We dont like to see it so the embalmers art seeks to mask its harsh reality by presenting the deceased in a state of peaceful repose. We dont like to bear the marks of its inevitable arrival so we spend an inordinate amount of money trying to remain young in appearance. But is this a proper Christian orientation to death? No. And Toby Jennings offers us a biblically grounded historically informed sound theological approach to the topic. After reading his book you will never speak about look at and live the reality of death in the way you do now. --Gregg R. Allison Professor of Christian Theology The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Dr. Jennings tackles the difficult and challenging topic of human life and death freshly and sure-footedly. He effectively engages with the difficult questions of humanity in relation to the contours of the saving purposes of God. --Paul Helm Emeritus Professor Kings College London Thinking deeply about important realities is a lacking discipline in todays culture. And biblical thinking is hard to come by even in the church. It is not impossible to regain lost ground in the wise use of the mind though it is difficult and will require gifted and patient teachers. Toby Jennings is one such teacher. His love for the revealed truth of Scripture is a product of his love for the Lord of Scripture. His love for teaching Scripture is motivated by his love for people. Rarely is love for God people the church and truth so evident in one teacher. As Toby uses his teaching gift for the glory of God he becomes a gift to us. I commend Toby and his work to you. --Scott Patty Pastor Grace Community Church Nashville FOR FRONT MATTER: Strangely the subject of death and dying is often neglected in contemporary evangelicalism especially a biblical and systematic theology of death. However Toby Jennings now fills that gap with this important book on the subject. Not everyone will agree with all of his conclusions but this book should not be ignored. It is a comprehensive and theological treatment of a biblical view of death and more than that it is about the glorious hope of resurrection found in the work of our triumphant Redeemer. I hope this book receives a wide reading and it leads us to a greater joy and confidence in our triune God in the face of Christ Jesus our Lord. --Stephen J. Wellum Professor of Christian Theology The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Editor Southern Baptist Journal of Theology The topic of death is seldom discussed among biblical and systematic scholars. Many faithful believers live in fear of the unknown as it relates to their own death and the death of their loved ones. The Bible has much more to say on the subject than many think. Toby Jennings provides a full biblical and theological examination of the subject. Jennings highlights the biblical teaching from an evangelical perspective. It is my hope