"But God...": The Two Words at the Heart of the Gospel
By Casey Lute
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About this ebook
Just two words: "But God..." Understand their use in Scripture and you’ll never be the same.
Whether from the pen of Moses, Paul, or other biblical authors, “But God” appears in various forms hundreds of times in the Bible. To understand these two words as they are used in Script
Casey Lute
Casey Lute lives in Salem, Oregon with his wife, Kelly, and two children. He holds a master's degree in Biblical Studies from The Master's College and a bachelor's degree in Ministry from Corban University. He has previously served as a staff pastor at churches in California and Colorado.
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Reviews for "But God..."
7 ratings1 review
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5In But God, Casey Lute provides another fine addition to the Cruciform Press library.This short book examines two words that make all the difference in the world when it comes to man's spiritual plight. Lute writes, "To the left of 'But God' in Scripture appear some of the worst human atrocities, characterized by disobedience and rebellion. To the left of 'But God' is hopelessness, darkness, and death. But to the right, following 'But God,' readers of Scripture will find hope, light, and life. Following God's intervention, the story of Scripture becomes one of grace, righteousness, and justice" (5-6). Who knew one contraction could make such a big difference? I guess when God is the one behind the contradiction.....Lute's book contains nine chapters that each exegete a key passage where a "but God" phrase occurs. These nine chapters are laid out in three sections: God shows how he saves, God provides salvation for his people, and God applies salvation to his people. Lute's book is biblically sound (though not thorough by any stretch of the imagination - how thorough can one be in 103 short pages?) and pastoral in tone. As I read it, I thought of what a great guide it might be for a small group bible study or even for a skeleton of a sermon series on the great "But God" passages of Scripture. Casey Lute should be commended for offering the body of Christ a wonderful resource. I highly recommend this book as a great tool for small group leaders or anyone interested in whetting their appetite in studying the great drama of God as it is played out in redemptive history.
Book preview
"But God..." - Casey Lute
But God...
The Two Words at the Heart of the Gospel
Casey Lute
Cruciform Press | Released May, 2011
To Kelly, my wife and my best friend. I love you.
– Casey Lute
missing image file© 2010 by Casey S. Lute. All rights reserved.
CruciformPress.com | info@CruciformPress.com
Casey Lute reminds us that nothing is impossible with God, that we must always reckon with God, and that God brings life out of death and joy out of sorrow. Faith looks to God for everything we need, and we are reminded here that our God is the fountain of living waters, and that nothing can defeat us if God is for us.
Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Casey Lute has seized upon the brief expression, ‘But God…’ that appears at some crucial locations in the Great Story of God’s plan for his creation. He traces these references within their contexts and with concise and meaningful commentary. What results is a mini-theology that will speak to the needs of every reader of this small but powerful book. Read it yourself and you will be blessed. Give it to a friend and you will be a blessing.
William Varner, Professor of Biblical Studies, The Master’s College
Keying off of nine occurrences of ‘But God’ in the English Bible, Casey Lute ably opens up Scripture in a manner that is instructive, edifying, encouraging, and convicting. This little book would be useful in family or personal reading, or as a gift to a friend. You will enjoy Casey’s style, you will have a fresh view of some critical Scripture, and your appreciation for God’s mighty grace will be deepened.
Dan Phillips, Pyromaniacs blog, author of The World-Tilting Gospel (forthcoming from Kregel)
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part One: God Shows How He Saves
One God Preserves Humanity
Genesis 8:1, Noah
Two God Creates a Nation
Exodus 13:18, The Red Sea
Three God Preserves His Nation
Nehemiah 9:17, Israel the God-Fighter
Part Two: God Provides Salvation for His People
Four God Provides a Better Sacrifice
Psalm 40:6-8, The Incarnation
Five God Demonstrates His Love for His People
Romans 5:8, The Cross
Six God Raises Jesus from the Dead
Acts 13:30, The Resurrection
Part Three: God Applies Salvation to His People
Seven God Chooses the Foolish and the Weak
1 Corinthians 1:27, Election
Eight God Brings Life Out of Death
Ephesians 2:4, Salvation
Nine God’s Firm Foundation Stands
2 Timothy 2:19, Perseverance
Ten Final Thoughts
Addendum
Endnotes
About Cruciform Press
Print ISBN: 978-1-936760-17-6
ePub ISBN: 978-1-936760-19-0
Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-936760-18-3
CruciformPress.com
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Published by Cruciform Press, Adelphi, Maryland. Copyright © 2011 by Casey S. Lute. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from: The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Italics or bold text within Scripture quotations indicates emphasis added.
INTRODUCTION
This is a book about two words. Concerning them, the late James Montgomery Boice wrote, May I put it quite simply? If you understand those two words—‘but God’—they will save your soul. If you recall them daily and live by them, they will transform your life completely.
It is no surprise, then, that the human authors of Scripture use this phrase repeatedly to highlight God’s grace in every aspect of salvation. From Moses to Paul and just about everywhere in between, But God
appears time and again at many crucial junctures in Scripture. It is the perfect phrase for highlighting the grace of God against the dark backdrop of human sin.
To the left of But God
in Scripture appear some of the worst human atrocities, characterized by disobedience and rebellion. To the left of But God
is hopelessness, darkness, and death. But to its right, following But God,
readers of Scripture will find hope, light, and life. Following God’s intervention, the story of Scripture becomes one of grace, righteousness, and justice.
This book has been born out of my desire to better understand these two words, and how they are used in Scripture. Having searched through and referenced every instance of But God
(or But he,
But you,
etc.), I have found that this phrase is used to describe God’s activity in nearly every great salvation story in the Bible.
But God
marks God’s relentless, merciful interventions in human history. It teaches us that God does not wait for us to bring ourselves to him, but that he acts first to bring about our good. It also teaches us of the potential consequences if God were not to act. Scripture shows over and over that without God’s intervening grace, without the But God
statements in the Bible, the world would be completely lost in sin and under judgment.
It may not be a common thing to write a book about two words, but these are no insignificant words. Indeed, everything Dr. Boice wrote above is true. If we understand these two words as the biblical authors use them, we will understand salvation—a salvation that is by grace alone, through Christ alone.
May the reading of this book, and of the biblical But God
statements it contains, cause you to understand these two words, recall them regularly, and allow them to transform your understanding of God’s grace and thus transform your very life.
But / conjunction / (but): 1) Used to introduce something contrasting with what has already been mentioned. 2) Nevertheless; however. 3) On the contrary; in contrast.
God / noun / (How much time do you have?)
Part One
God Shows How He Saves
One
GOD PRESERVES HUMANITY
Genesis 8:1, Noah
I had been serving as an associate pastor at a small church in Grand Junction, Colorado, for about a year before I got out and did any real hiking (I’m much more comfortable behind a desk). On the recommendation of a longtime resident, I took a group of at-risk junior high boys to Hanging Lake, a small body of water east of town. Once you reach the trailhead the only way to the