Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters

“Carmen Joy Imes is helping us to relish once again the wondrous depths of truth and challenge that are there for us Christians in that great epic narrative of Old Testament Israel—whether those stories are familiar to us already or not. . . . I trust that reading this book will give you a deeper and more biblical understanding of what it ought to mean to bear God's name, and not to bear it in vain.”

“Warm, witty, wise, and winsome; theologically rigorous, rhetorically convincing, and pastorally helpful, this book is not to be missed. Taking the reader through the narrative of the exodus, Carmen Joy Imes shows us that it is our story, not an arcane, ancient document as dry as last year's bird nest. The genre of Law speaks today. You will see the name Carmen Joy Imes regularly in the future as she continues to bless the church with accessible and edifying scholarship.”

“Rarely do we encounter scholars who are able to distill the essence of complex notions and recast them in forms that are both accessible and compelling for lay readers. Carmen Imes's skills in this regard are extraordinary. In the academy, people who have read her published technical monograph on bearing God's name have been quick to celebrate the stellar quality of her work. In this volume Carmen introduces lay readers and serious students of Scripture to her major findings through writing in engaging and persuasive prose—with plenty of ideas for application. For readers who long to recover the life-giving message of grace in the Torah, this book will be a great place to start.”

“Carmen Joy Imes's Bearing God's Name is a marvel. Imagine a scholar who writes for the church, a member of the academy who cares deeply for the parish. However you phrase it, Imes has done it—given the gift of both accessibility and accuracy to the church. I learned much in this text and look forward to returning to it again and again. I suspect your experience will be the same.”

“Professor Imes refuses to divide the Bible into a simplistic dichotomy of rigid law and abounding grace. Her goal is to highlight continuity between Sinai and Calvary; between lawgiver Moses and grace-dispenser Jesus. . . . Imes skillfully highlights the teachings of Sinai law throughout the New Testament. Yes, grace and mercy win out, but within a proper understanding of the foundation which was laid by Yahweh in the first covenants. My favorite emphasis of Imes's writings centers on her exposition of 'chosen people.' Yes, Israel, but now all tribes, all races, all linguistic flavors can be included in the massive throng of the new chosen people who will one day gather at the Throne of God and sing in glorious unison, 'Hallelujah, for our God almighty reigns!' Well done, Professor Imes.”

“Get ready to receive an abundance of insight from the story of Israel's exodus and dedication to their divine calling. Carmen Imes brings this ancient story to life in a sharp and approachable read that will help you understand the divine calling in your life.”