The Last Adam: A Theology of the Obedient Life of Jesus in the Gospels

“Brandon Crowe continues to produce clearly written and thoughtful biblical scholarship that is consciously rooted in the Reformed theological tradition. This book is no exception, and I heartily agree with its goal--to show that Jesus's obedient life (not just his death) as explicated in the Gospels matters. Crowe's emphasis on Jesus as the last Adam is an important contribution to a theological reading of the Gospels.”

“Modern New Testament scholars have sometimes missed or even denied what seemed obvious to the early fathers of the church--namely that the figure of Adam, and not merely the shadow of Israel, serves as the ultimate background to the Gospel narratives. In The Last Adam Brandon Crowe helps to right this wrong in a scholarly, comprehensive, readable, and indeed theologically thrilling way. Here is a work of carefully argued biblical scholarship that also makes a significant contribution to the work of systematic theologians. In addition it satisfies a great desideratum for ministers of the gospel and teachers: a resource book filled with a cornucopia of good things that will stimulate their thinking and enrich their preaching and teaching.”

“Crowe makes an intriguing and creative case for Jesus being the last Adam in the Gospels. He demonstrates that Jesus's obedience is vital in the narrative and theology of the Gospels, which is a theme that has not been emphasized sufficiently in New Testament studies. Crowe's text is a genuine contribution to the study of the Gospels. We see in this volume the value of both biblical and systematic theology.”

“Whereas many Christians regard Jesus's life as little more than an anthology of Sunday school stories before his crucifixion, Brandon Crowe shows us that the Evangelists describe Jesus as the last Adam who saves people by his vicarious obedience to his messianic mission. Crowe explains not only why Jesus died but why he lived! In this book, Crowe provides a thorough description of the meaning of Jesus's life, how Jesus is the covenantal head of a new humanity, and how he lived for us and for our salvation. A great topic and well-written!”

“The issue of Jesus's relationship to Adam and whether the Savior's life, along with his death, was vicarious is a much-discussed, and sometimes debated, topic in theology. Brandon Crowe's The Last Adam presents a full walk through the issues tied to this discussion. It makes for fascinating reading as we come to reflect more on what Jesus's life and ministry may have been about.”

“Crowe's emphasis on the importance of Jesus's ministry combines exegetical detail, attention to reception-history, and a candid theological concern (with particular, but not exclusive, attention to the Reformed tradition). Crowe shows the theological yield of attending to the Gospels' presentation of Jesus as the new Adam who redeems through his life as well as his death.”