A Consuming Fire: The Holy of Holies in Biblical Law

Joel McDurmon’s A Consuming Fire is a very clear and precise treatment of the cherem concept in Scripture. McDurmon argues that cherem laws pertain especially to the holiest place in the tabernacle and temple. Violations of these laws carry different penalties from those outside the cherem sphere. From this premise, McDurmon argues significant theses about continuities and discontinuities between Old and New Covenant law. This discussion is very significant in the debate over Theonomy. As McDurmon refreshes this debate, he exchanges views with many theologians of the past and present such as Rushdoony, North, Bahnsen and Kline. Some will be surprised to find that McDurmon acknowledges significant value to Kline’s formulation, and even more to that of Vern Poythress. I learned a great deal about God’s covenants from this book, and I would recommend it to any serious student of Scripture.–Dr. John M. FrameProfessor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy EmeritusReformed Theological Seminary, Orlando