Created to Draw Near: Our Life as God's Royal Priests (Welch)
Many Christians prefer to keep God at a safe distance—a distant God makes fewer demands. They imagine God has rules just for the sake of obedience, missing the point that God delights in making them holy so they can draw near to him. God’s plan from the beginning has been for his people to draw near to him as a kingdom of priests.
In 40 short, meditative chapters, best-selling author Ed Welch traces iterations of the priestly job description from the garden of Eden to the heavenly city. Along the way, believers will discover their identity as royal priests and learn what it means that they were created to be made holy as they draw near to God and receive his lavish hospitality.
Table of Contents:
1. Longing for Closeness
Part 1: Our Past
Eden
2. In the Garden of God
3. In God’s Image
4. Not Yet Dressed
5. Discern Right from Wrong
6. An Intruder
7. Discernment Lost
8. Life Outside the Holy of Holies
Israel
9. Sanctuaries and Ladders
10. Jacob
11. Moses
12. A Nation of Priests
13. Holy
14. A Meal with God
15. In God’s House
16. Priests Clothed
17. Job Descriptions
18. Priests at Work
19. “Be Holy As I Am Holy”
20. In God’s Courtroom
21. A Tumultuous Interlude
Part 2: Jesus Our Tabernacle
22. The Holy One Descends
23. Jesus our Passover Lamb
24. Interrupted by a Wedding
25. Jesus the Temple
26. Jesus the High Priest
27. Believe
28. Descending Further
29. The Lamb Slain
30. His Ascent
Part 3: Almost Truly Human
31. Priests in Plain Clothes
32. Priests Descend and Ascend
33. Saints
34. Shining Faces
35. Living Stones, Flowing Fountains
36. Enter In
37. Be Sent Out
38. Walking Uphill
39. The High Priest Prays for You
40. Epilogue
Author
Edward T. Welch (PhD, University of Utah) is a counselor and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation. He has been counseling for more than 35 years and has written extensively on the topics of depression, fear, and addictions. His books include When People Are Big and God Is Small, Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away From Addiction, Running Scared: Fear, Worry and the God of Rest, Shame Interrupted, and Side by Side. He blogs regularly at CCEF.org.