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An Introduction to the Old Testament Template: Rediscovering God's Principles for Discipling Nations
Do you wonder why the Christian faith has become weak and ineffectual in dealing with issues of politics, education, the media, and daily life?
Landa Cope had a crisis of faith. Her realization that a large Christian population didn't benefit a community -- and that Christians didn't seem to care -- provoked deep sadness, burning questions, and a passion to uncover how the gospel can truly bless society. The answers to her questions bring new hope. An Introduction to the Old Testament Template is a practical and thought-provoking guide to applying God's whole biblical revelation to every area of culture. Readers of all professions and backgrounds will rethink long-held beliefs and learn how to bring a righteous influence back into the culture in which they live.
Landa Cope had a crisis of faith. Her realization that a large Christian population didn't benefit a community -- and that Christians didn't seem to care -- provoked deep sadness, burning questions, and a passion to uncover how the gospel can truly bless society. The answers to her questions bring new hope. An Introduction to the Old Testament Template is a practical and thought-provoking guide to applying God's whole biblical revelation to every area of culture. Readers of all professions and backgrounds will rethink long-held beliefs and learn how to bring a righteous influence back into the culture in which they live.
- GenresNonfictionChristian
232 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
35 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 7, 2019
Awful. Horrible Bible interpretation. Undertones and overtones of cultural superiority. Absolutely unimpressive bibliography. Pious anecdotes and blather parading as an authority. Not recommended.
April 15, 2023
The book is based on a good idea overall: applying biblical principles to every-day life in areas that might not seem spiritual at face-value. The execution, however, leaves much to be desired. It seems as though examples and biblical excerpts are cherry-picked. The author herself says that each "domain" (government, education, art and media, etc.) can have whole books written on them, but she still tries to provide examples and applications for each domain and you are left feeling as though she did not to justice to any one of these domains. The initial overview chapters and final chapters on how to accomplish application of these principles are good, and with some expansion would maybe make a better book than it is with the domains included. Instead of providing a sporadic and rather peculiar overview of each domain as seen in parts of the Bible, she would be better to encourage the reader to read through the Bible with the framework of life domains in mind and allow us to read what the entirety of the Bible has to say on each domain rather than reading out-of-context singular examples.
March 18, 2024
Wow, this book was transformative. Every chapter challenged my thinking on what the kingdom of God is supposed to look like in the different domains of society. I especially loved the chapter on Communication where the author speaks on how Jesus didn’t care to silence the other philosophies and ways of culture that were around Him, He just made sure to make the most of His right to speak of the Kingdom of God.
As Christians, we have often stood back to criticize what comes from the arts and from media, instead of involving ourselves in those areas and creating an option that is full of light and truth. The absence of righteousness in these areas is the absence of being able to choose.
As Christians, we have often stood back to criticize what comes from the arts and from media, instead of involving ourselves in those areas and creating an option that is full of light and truth. The absence of righteousness in these areas is the absence of being able to choose.
December 2, 2022
I read this for a leadership class. Excellent book that breaks down at an introductory level, the concepts of Christians influencing the eight spheres of society for real change beyond surface evangelism.
I recommend this book for all Christian workers, particularly pastors and missionaries. We MUST begin to see our roles in society as all inclusive and must understand God's desire that we are active and influential in all components of society that He created. This is our Genesis destiny in having dominion on earth, and we have largely failed up to this point.
I recommend this book for all Christian workers, particularly pastors and missionaries. We MUST begin to see our roles in society as all inclusive and must understand God's desire that we are active and influential in all components of society that He created. This is our Genesis destiny in having dominion on earth, and we have largely failed up to this point.
March 30, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It combines the secular and sacred world into a Kingdom perspective. It showed me that business is Kingdom, that in all areas of my life I can advance the Kingdom and God’s heart in his creation. Also showed me how God was establishing his people in the Old Testament giving them government, economy etc.
If I ever move from ministry to working business or something else. I would read this book again!
If I ever move from ministry to working business or something else. I would read this book again!
August 7, 2022
I’m not even sure how this book ended up in my stash but I’m glad it did. The knowledge and perspective are fresh. An example, peace is the absence of conflict and the presence of justice. When we pray for peace, God calls us to work for justice.
The author’s goal is that Christianity not just be salvation as an end but the beginning of community transformation through practical, Biblical guidelines for successful living.
The author’s goal is that Christianity not just be salvation as an end but the beginning of community transformation through practical, Biblical guidelines for successful living.
January 24, 2024
Author displays racist and paternalistic attitudes towards African culture. Author mishandles Scripture by taking it out of context in order to make it say what she believes instead of forming her beliefs around what Scripture actually says. Author demonstrates a true lack of basic biblical knowledge and understanding. One star is too generous.
August 3, 2025
This book changed my perspective on what the Old Testament teaches us about life. We CAN hold the spirtual and the physical in tandem. A big emphasis in this book is the importance of different vocations… being a missionary or pastor is not the only honorable role in Christian society. Cope teaches that we need Christians in every vocation.
July 9, 2017
A great blessing
Landa's work and study are a great blessing. She inspired me to study the Bible with my own colored pens when I first read this. Now I do so electronically with different colored highlights. Very helpful. Thank you, Landa.
Landa's work and study are a great blessing. She inspired me to study the Bible with my own colored pens when I first read this. Now I do so electronically with different colored highlights. Very helpful. Thank you, Landa.
September 22, 2023
Very important initial observations (e.g., division between sacred and secular thinking), but the author's solutions loose all their driving force because of the poor analysis of Scripture. I'd rather recommend Abraham Kuyper or Francis Schaffer on this subject.
August 18, 2023
very powerful
Totally enjoyed reading this book. Very insightful and challenging read for any Christian who desires to make a difference with their lives
Totally enjoyed reading this book. Very insightful and challenging read for any Christian who desires to make a difference with their lives
January 11, 2024
Convicting informational! So good!
May 16, 2019
A solid read. Great for sowing seeds that, when coupled with scripture, can lead to application in every area of life and society. I may not have agreed with everything stated - but the way it has effected my thinking on discipling nations and our involvement in the world has been invaluable.
February 24, 2017
A ministry friend loaned me this book by a YWAMer (Youth with a Mission), Linda Cope, after he heard me share the vision God gave me: God wants us to disciple nations according to Matthew 28:19; not just disciple our own people in our own churches. No matter how big our church may become, the mandate from Christ is to disciple entire NATIONS. We are to transform our entire CULTURE to such a degree that godliness manifests itself in every area of society: justice in government, prosperity in the economy, morality in youth, love in the home, kindness between people.
The church at large has lost the meaning of "discipling nations" in modern times. The election of Donald Trump signals another chance for America and the Western nations that often follow America’s lead. The Bible has already given us leaders solutions to injustice, poverty, economic and political stability. But so few leaders know about them. I plan to write my own book that will address these issues. It will inform and influence world leaders on what Good Government looks like. More of my thoughts will be posted here: https://discoverministries.wordpress.... or http://www.Cioccolanti.org
I enjoy the stories that Linda Cope shared from nations like Norway, Namibia, and East Timor. It is the hallmark of YWAMers to think of missions and think globally. Loren Cunningham has done an excellent job inspiring leaders with big vision. My prayer is that the current generation of YWAMers and Christians have the wisdom and passion to implement what Jesus commanded us to do: disciple nations!
Some quotes:
“…We have taken the holistic message preached in the Old Testament and New Testaments and reduced our message to the entry point into the Kingdom.” (Page 21)
“The history of Israel is not written as an allegory from which we are to learn the benefits of salvation alone…” (page 38)
“Aid is reserved for those who have absolutely no way of providing for themselves and will die without assistance.” (Page 69)
“…Government…involvement in the primary discipleship of children is almost completely absent [in the Bible].” (Page 101)
The church at large has lost the meaning of "discipling nations" in modern times. The election of Donald Trump signals another chance for America and the Western nations that often follow America’s lead. The Bible has already given us leaders solutions to injustice, poverty, economic and political stability. But so few leaders know about them. I plan to write my own book that will address these issues. It will inform and influence world leaders on what Good Government looks like. More of my thoughts will be posted here: https://discoverministries.wordpress.... or http://www.Cioccolanti.org
I enjoy the stories that Linda Cope shared from nations like Norway, Namibia, and East Timor. It is the hallmark of YWAMers to think of missions and think globally. Loren Cunningham has done an excellent job inspiring leaders with big vision. My prayer is that the current generation of YWAMers and Christians have the wisdom and passion to implement what Jesus commanded us to do: disciple nations!
Some quotes:
“…We have taken the holistic message preached in the Old Testament and New Testaments and reduced our message to the entry point into the Kingdom.” (Page 21)
“The history of Israel is not written as an allegory from which we are to learn the benefits of salvation alone…” (page 38)
“Aid is reserved for those who have absolutely no way of providing for themselves and will die without assistance.” (Page 69)
“…Government…involvement in the primary discipleship of children is almost completely absent [in the Bible].” (Page 101)
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August 5, 2015A powerful guide for understanding God´s perspective for Disicipling Nations. A must read for every Christian Leader.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews