Visual Theology: Seeing and Understanding the Truth About God

by Tim Challies and Josh Byers

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This is an absolutely beautiful book!

The larger than life cover welcomes readers to dive headlong into the

journey of grace. A quick glance through the book will reveal colorful infographics

that attract the eye and lead the heart in a Godward direction. It truly is a

stunning display of graphics that will no doubt, receives rave reviews.

The book is arranged in four sections:

1. Grow Close to Christ
2. Understand the Work of Christ
3. Become Like Christ
4. Live for Christ

Visual Theology attempts to communicate the basics of biblical doctrine. It

provides readers with a stunning visual introduction to the Christian faith. It is an

invaluable aid to Christians who are beginning their journey into grace. But it will

benefit longtime believers as well. Readers will receive encouragement that will

serve them well as they are nurtured and strengthened, all for the purpose of

Christian health, growth, and maturity.

The Importance of Theology

One of the great strengths of Visual Theology is the stress that Challies and

Byers place on theology. Challies adds, “Doctrine is never meant to be a cold

pursuit of the facts, but a red-hot pursuit of the living God that leads to joyful

obedience.” Doctrine should captivate Christ-followers, not make them weary:

Doctrine is meant to amaze you as you encounter the sheer power and

magnitude of God. It will astonish you with the awful sinfulness of

mankind. It will humble you with your own insignificance apart from

God and yet your sheer significance in his plan of redemption. It will

move you with the incredible mercy of God as expressed in sending

his Son to die for you and with the amazing grace of God as expressed

in sending his Spirit to dwell within you. It will swell your heart with

hope for Christ’s coming return.

Visual Theology reaffirms the central role that theology should have in the life of

every believer. But the authors rightly stress the need for the application of

theology, as well. The final two sections of the book are a vivid reminder that

theology is meant to be lived.

Chapters 6 and 7 describe the essential activity of “putting off” and “putting on.”

Indeed, these chapters are worth the price of the book as Challies and Byers

alert readers to the contribution of the great Puritan, John Owen. In the matter of

sanctification, this work mirrors what John Owen proposes in his massive

work, Sin and Temptation (Volume 6). This book brings Owen’s treatment of sin

and sanctification to a level that any Christian can understand and immediately

make use of the material in the Christian life. Owen famously says, “Be killing sin

or sin will be killing you.” These authors help readers actually do it!

The strengths of Visual Theology are wide and varied. This work is intensely

gospel-centered, Christ-saturated, and Bible-based. It is practical. The

infographics catapult this book into the stratosphere – blending the best of

systematic theology with the artistic genius of Josh Byers. The best gospel

resources are commended, giving readers a helpful tool to continue the process

of Christian growth.

I commend Visual Theology, which is the perfect blend of truth and beauty. May

God use this creative work to strengthen and edify many people in the days

ahead.