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At the Heart of the Universe: The Eternal Plan of God
Where is the world going? Why did God create it--and us? Is there any purpose and meaning at the heart of the universe? In this book--written for the believer who seeks to understand more of God, the student who will one day teach the Word, and those who do not yet have a personal relationship with Christ--Peter Jensen brilliantly tackles the universal questions that confront us all and shows how Christian truth answers these questions. He makes his point by starting at the End--tackling the "last things" first. By looking at the ultimate fulfillment of God's Plan, Jensen guides you to see who God is and what He is doing to fulfill His end. Each successive chapter opens another door, making better sense of God's purpose for the universe--and for you. This approach also allows you to understand how the great themes of the Bible fit together as a whole and how they spur you on to deeper faith, more effective service, and truer worship. Written with the works of the great theologians in mind, this book is for everyone who wants to understand Christian belief, their place in the world, and the dynamic goal toward which God is working.
176 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1994
About the author
Peter Jensen
8 books6 followersPeter Jensen was Archbishop of Sydney for 12 years, and is recognised as a key leader in the worldwide Anglican Church. He is a well-known and outspoken figure on the Australian religious scene. He was principal of Moore Theological College for 16 years, and has a Doctorate in Philosophy from Oxford University. He has lectured and addressed conferences in England, Ireland, Eastern Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, Chile, Singapore, United States and Canada.
Peter Jensen is married to Christine. They have five adult children and 22 grandchildren.
Peter Jensen is married to Christine. They have five adult children and 22 grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 2, 2019
To my surprise, I started to fall in love with this book. I picked it off my shelf (no idea where/when I got it) and just decided to read it. And it’s unique and full excellent sections.
It’s basically an attempt to explain Christianity, hence the subtitle, “The Eternal Plan of God.” But he does so in a very unique way. He splits it up into five sections. Section #1 is about the End, #2 is about God’s rule, #3 is about God’s word, #4 is about God’s work to bring peace, #5 is about the church and union with Christ.
The best section was by far Part 3 about God’s word (titled, “Is God dumb?”). Jensen’s explanation of God and the Christian faith is extremely word-focused. But it isn’t word-focused just because. Instead, he shows that God has always ruled through his word, and that obeying God’s word is obeying him. And he shows why God has done it this way.
His chapter on Christ’s life, teaching, and death on the cross was also excellent. Plus, he’s the type of writer where you’ll just get a brilliant section that makes you think.
In short, I’d say reading this was a lot like reading CS Lewis, although Jensen’s theology is much more on point than Lewis’s. Jensen (like Lewis) rants a lot—sometimes you do’t know where he’s doing or why he’s spending so much time on it. Moreover, his organization is confusing at times, or at least you wonder why he’d organize it that way.
But, in that all, he’s clearly a brilliant man. He’s not just a typical systematic theologian or pastor/teacher who knows the right answers. He thinks and says uniquely (but very biblically too). In this way, he was like CS Lewis, and I loved it. It was refreshing to read someone who exposits Christianity truthfully and in a compelling way, but in a fresh, new way, too.
I’m going to keep this on my systematic theology section of my bookshelf for sure, especially for his section on the Word (Christ and the Bible). And because of his Lewis-like-ness, I’ll definitely look to read more from him. I don’t know if I’d exactly recommend it to people, unless you’re wiling to trek through some difficulties at times in order to get some gold.
Finally, I just want to comment that it’s very sad it’s not in print anymore. I think the vast majority of Christian books today are easily digestible, easily clear, “devotional” (although I don’t think they stir true devotion like books like these) books, even from publishers like Crossway. But it’s in books like these (and Lewis’s, which is why he’s so famous) that sometimes you find brilliant gold.
It’s basically an attempt to explain Christianity, hence the subtitle, “The Eternal Plan of God.” But he does so in a very unique way. He splits it up into five sections. Section #1 is about the End, #2 is about God’s rule, #3 is about God’s word, #4 is about God’s work to bring peace, #5 is about the church and union with Christ.
The best section was by far Part 3 about God’s word (titled, “Is God dumb?”). Jensen’s explanation of God and the Christian faith is extremely word-focused. But it isn’t word-focused just because. Instead, he shows that God has always ruled through his word, and that obeying God’s word is obeying him. And he shows why God has done it this way.
His chapter on Christ’s life, teaching, and death on the cross was also excellent. Plus, he’s the type of writer where you’ll just get a brilliant section that makes you think.
In short, I’d say reading this was a lot like reading CS Lewis, although Jensen’s theology is much more on point than Lewis’s. Jensen (like Lewis) rants a lot—sometimes you do’t know where he’s doing or why he’s spending so much time on it. Moreover, his organization is confusing at times, or at least you wonder why he’d organize it that way.
But, in that all, he’s clearly a brilliant man. He’s not just a typical systematic theologian or pastor/teacher who knows the right answers. He thinks and says uniquely (but very biblically too). In this way, he was like CS Lewis, and I loved it. It was refreshing to read someone who exposits Christianity truthfully and in a compelling way, but in a fresh, new way, too.
I’m going to keep this on my systematic theology section of my bookshelf for sure, especially for his section on the Word (Christ and the Bible). And because of his Lewis-like-ness, I’ll definitely look to read more from him. I don’t know if I’d exactly recommend it to people, unless you’re wiling to trek through some difficulties at times in order to get some gold.
Finally, I just want to comment that it’s very sad it’s not in print anymore. I think the vast majority of Christian books today are easily digestible, easily clear, “devotional” (although I don’t think they stir true devotion like books like these) books, even from publishers like Crossway. But it’s in books like these (and Lewis’s, which is why he’s so famous) that sometimes you find brilliant gold.
April 20, 2021
Discovered this book recently and read it in 36 hours; it was that good. Here are some of the book's zingers: 1) "What it means to be human can be judged only by what we know of humanity's true fulfilment" (21); 2) "Faith in the gospel frees us from evil and self-seeking patterns of life and remakes our lives; faith in the gospel leads to repentance" (151); and 3) "The message of the gospel does not bring advice, it brings release; it does not bring law, it brings relationship; it does not bring medicine, it brings resurrection; it does not say, 'Do this to please me,' it says, 'I have done this for you'; it does not throw a rope to the helpless, it risks all to climb down and tend him, and bind his wounds, and carry him back up. God is gracious both in winning and applying salvation" (146).
If I had to summarize the book in a few words, I would say this: Jensen accurately diagnoses man's sad state outside of Christ. When man rejects God, he cannot justify his existence or morality. But when God grips people through the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, man is able to see his purpose and the purpose in all things, and how Jesus is hinge of history.
If I had to summarize the book in a few words, I would say this: Jensen accurately diagnoses man's sad state outside of Christ. When man rejects God, he cannot justify his existence or morality. But when God grips people through the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, man is able to see his purpose and the purpose in all things, and how Jesus is hinge of history.
October 17, 2024
I really enjoyed this 30 year old, underappreciated classic by Peter Jensen. “At the Heart of the Universe” takes a slightly more abstract, but thoroughly biblical approach to describing the Christian faith. Starting at “the End”, Jensen opens his argument by explaining how what happens at the end will inform how we live today.
Indeed, I think this is a brilliant introduction to Christianity for the new believer, and is up there with “Mere Christianity” when it comes to a broad overview of the Christian faith. I will certainly be recommending that more people read this little classic!
Indeed, I think this is a brilliant introduction to Christianity for the new believer, and is up there with “Mere Christianity” when it comes to a broad overview of the Christian faith. I will certainly be recommending that more people read this little classic!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews