The Mysteries of Christianity, revealed truths expounded and defended

“‘Mystery’ is a biblical word that over the years has been reduced in meaning. Taking on an atmosphere very different to the sense in which it was used for example by the apostle Paul. It is important therefore in opening these pages to realize that in discussing Christianity’s mysteries Crawford is dealing with realities that can be known by us only if God himself reveals them. They come to us recorded in the pages of Scripture, not as a result of our own abilities to engage in reasoning. Thus The Mysteries of Christianity is in essence an exposition and defence of Christianity as a supernatural, Trinitarian faith at the heart of which lie the mysteries of the incarnation, the atonement, the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit, and the marvels of divine providence.” From the Introduction by Sinclair B. Ferguson

Publisher: Banner of Truth
Type: Hardback
ISBN: 9781848717152

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Thomas Jackson Crawford (1812–1875) was born to Agnes Jackson and William Crawford in St Andrews on the east coast of Scotland, and later studied in the university of his hometown. He became a minister of the Church of Scotland in 1831 and after pastorates in Cults, Fife, and Glamis, Perthshire, was called to St Andrew’s Church, Edinburgh, in 1844. He became Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh in 1860, and was one of a number of competent conservative theologians who had remained in the established church after the Disruption of 1843. Crawford served as the Moderator for the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1867. In 1874 he delivered the annual Baird Lectures, and these addresses were published as The Mysteries of Christianity. Prior to this, his other major writings were The Fatherhood of God (1866) and The Doctrine of Holy Scripture Respecting the Atonement (1871). Crawford died in Genoa, Italy, in October 1875 but was buried beside his wife in Dean Cemetery in Edinburgh.

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‘I must admit being quite unprepared, when commencing to read T.J. Crawford, to have my mind exercised in such a dynamic way but what a wonderful pleasure “The Mysteries of Christianity” has proved to be. The initial 5 Lectures, (1) Doctrines which are mysterious from want of internal evidence, (2) Doctrines which are mysterious from the transcendental nature of their subjects, (3) Doctrines which are mysterious from the limited extent of their disclosures, (4) Doctrines which are mysterious from their apparent inconsistency with other doctrines and (5) Mystery arising from the inadequacy of human language to express revealed truth lead us brilliantly to consider a further 7 Lectures on, for example, The Trinity, The Atonement, The Work of the Holy Spirit etc. These enlightening ‘Lectures’ will thrill the reader who with careful diligence works his way through them…This is not light reading but great benefit and blessing will be sure to follow and an appreciation, despite the limitations of our mental capacity, of the manifold grace of the triune God…It is well bound, attractive, pleasing to handle and will prove to be a favourite among those who treasure good reformed theological publications. Buy it, let your mind be stretched and your heart humbled as you contemplate all that God has revealed to us as we with wonder and amazement look forward to the further revelation of His mysteries in eternity.’ Alan Haskins