Book Review: Name Above All Names by Alistair Begg & Sinclair B Ferguson

Ever heard, or sung in church, an old praise chorus called, "Jesus, Name Above All Names?" If you have not, it goes something like this:


Jesus, name above all names

Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord.

Emmanuel, God is with us.

Blessed Redeemer, Living word.

Only four lines that is so simple that everyone in the congregation can learn, but does it mean when we say that Jesus is the Name that is above every name? Two well-known and respected pastors, Alistair Begg and Sinclair Ferguson decided to tackle with every intent to exalt Jesus, this very subject.

In the preface of the book, this book focuses "on some of the different ways in which the Bible portrays Christ's identity and describes his ministry" (pg. 11). To be honest, I thought the book would be bigger considering the topic at hand, but it is a small book that is less than 200 pages and only seven chapters yet it is theologically accurate as to the Person and work of Christ. Begg and Ferguson said that the chapters "are by no means exhaustive. They cover only seven of the many descriptions of Jesus found on the Bible, and none of those descriptions is treated exhaustively" (pg 11).

Chapter 1 deals with Jesus being the Seed of the woman referring to the first Messianic prophecy in the Bible, which is Genesis 3:15, also known as "The Protevangelium," the first announcement of the gospel. The rest of chapter talks about how Jesus was the second Adam who came to this world to live the life we could not live and won the victory for us through His finished work on the cross. The next chapter is on Jesus being the True Prophet that continues to speak to us in these last days as Hebrews 1:1-3 says.

Chapter 3 addresses Jesus as the Great High Priest who endured trials as well so that we come to Him and confess our sins. He died on the cross for our sins and paid them with His own blood, something the blood of bulls and goats could not do. Chapter 4 calls Jesus the Conquering King who has brought the Kingdom of God to earth and one day will consummate this world. Chapter 5 is on Jesus being the Son of Man, which holds a threefold office: Prophet, Priest, and King. Begg and Sinclair write:

He is to be the prophet who brings God's word to all creation. He is to be the priest...who gives intelligent expression to the worship that is due from all of God's creatures. He is to be the king who will exercise his reign and dominion. (pg 111).


Chapter 6 talks about Jesus' mission as the Suffering Servant who suffered in our place for our sins and fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 53. Chapter 7 is about Jesus being the Lamb on the Throne. Jesus rules and reigns in heaven now and sends us out to promote that reign through the message of gospel and one day will return to reign on planet Earth.

This book is not only a theological book, but it is a book of worship. To help us worship Jesus for who He really is and not what we imagine Him to be. This is a great book for study, small group discussion, and resource for preachers to us when talking about Jesus.

Thanks Crossway for letting me review this book.