David W. Hewitt’s Ultimate Rest: The Essence of the Beautiful Gospel is a heartfelt book written from a place of faithfulness and sincerity.  Within the pages of Ultimate Rest, Hewitt argues that human beings are made for rest.  There were many wonderful quotes throughout.  For instance:

“Understanding that the Christian life is an unpacking, a discovering, and adventure in the wonder of who we are now in union with Christ, takes the pressure off us to perform and frees us to run with joyful abandon.” pg. 40

“The Christian life is not one of striving for performance or perfection.  Rather it is an overflow of Jesus’ life—a life sourced in him—that expresses itself through ‘good fruit.’” pg. 105

Yes!  Amen! 

Though there were times when the book required some translating for me (as a Progressive Christian Minister in the Mainline Protestant tradition).  Hewitt does not utilize gender inclusive language for God or for humanity.  All the references to “mankind” and “Him” for God were not ideal given the author’s conviction of God’s expansiveness in other passages.  How does one reference Isaiah’s image of Mother Zion nursing those who mourn over Jerusalem with her comforting breasts (Isaiah 66) and still not utilize gender inclusive language for God? (pg. 53) 

Additionally, some of the theology shared was puzzling.  On the one hand, Hewitt could challenge penal substutionary atonement theology “This was not, as has sadly been taught, the Father punishing the Son, for where would the other members of the Trinity be but also in Christ?” (pg. 68)  On the other hand, Hewitt did not seem to question that humanity “fell” in Eden and has been mired in total depravity ever since.  Again, I anticipated an open and expansive theology to go along with the author’s contention that human beings are made by a Loving God for rest, and this was not always the case.

In the end, Ultimate Rest: The Essence of the Beautiful Gospel was thought-provoking.  It could be especially helpful to those Christians within the Evangelical tradition (or perhaps Exvangelicals who are deconstructing and challenging some beliefs).  There were some true gems to take away.  Though there were times when the more traditional theology and language coupled with some of the expansive contentions did not seem to align.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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