Greater Than Aaron Now Available on Amazon
Just last week I released my second book entitled, Greater Than Aaron: The Supremacy of Christ’s Limited Atonement (which can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Greater-Than-Aaron-Supremacy-Atonement/dp/1793957479). Available in both paperback and Kindle editions, this book is a verse-by-verse study through Leviticus chapter 16, explaining the concept of atonement as found under the Old Covenant priestly system, exalting the doctrine of limited atonement as accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ, and exposing the error of universal atonement historically set forth by Arminians.
The book’s description is as follows:
For whom did Christ die?
For some, this question comes as a surprise. “Are there actually differing views?” For others, the answer is obvious. Ask the average churchgoer, and without skipping a beat the answer will undoubtedly be, “Everyone!” But that answer raises several important questions, especially for those who affirm the doctrine historically known as Penal Substitutionary Atonement. Did Jesus die for every single individual, even though most will wind up in hell for eternity? If so, how is that concept a penal atonement—how could it be said that Jesus truly paid the legal penalty for those who will end up having to pay their own legal penalty? Furthermore, how is that concept a substitutionary atonement—if Jesus truly was everyone’s substitute, how can anyone still be condemned?
By thoroughly examining one of the key Old Testament passages—the Day of Atonement as described in Leviticus 16—the question can be answered with confidence. Aaron, serving as high priest for the nation of Israel, foreshadowed the work of Jesus, the greater high priest. Thus, a comparison between the two of them reveals exactly what Christ accomplished in His death on the cross—and for whom.
What I believe sets this book apart from many others of the same subject matter is that this is not a philosophical approach to, nor a pragmatic defense of, limited atonement, but is instead a presentation of this vital doctrine straight from one of the greatest—and yet somehow neglected—texts concerning atonement. Believers who otherwise struggle with the book of Leviticus will be pleased to see that this book walks through an entire chapter, examining the passage sequentially and explaining the details in a way that brings clarity without complexity. More than that though, this book exalts the Lord Jesus Christ as the high priest for His people who accomplishes what Aaron, the first high priest of Israel, could only foreshadow. In all reality, this book is about the Gospel, and it’s for that reason that I give the Lord thanks for allowing me enough time to write this book and get it into the hands of my wife and kids.
The Table of Contents is as follows:
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1: A Representative Atonement
Chapter 2: A Substitutionary Atonement
Chapter 3: An Intercessory Atonement
Chapter 4: A Propitiatory Atonement
Chapter 5: An Expiatory Atonement
Chapter 6: An Assembled Atonement
Conclusion
The foreword to the book was written by one of my best friends, Dr. Peter Sammons, who serves as the Director of the Institute for Church Leadership at The Master’s Seminary. This book would surely not be possible without his influence in my life for over a decade now.
Writing in the foreword, Pete says,
One of the things I appreciate about Josh (and the approach taken here in this book) is that he is not trying to reinvent the wheel or “out-Owen” John Owen. This book isn’t attempting to redo what has already been excellently done (and yet unanswered by Arminian scholars) in The Death of Death in the Death of Christ. Rather, what Josh has done here (while holding to the same convictions as Owen) is to rectify a major injustice to the discussion of the atonement, which is to properly interpret and bring Leviticus 16 to the forefront of the discussion. It is surprising that even among Reformed dogmatics and historical theology little attention has been given to this particular chapter and what it has to say regarding the nature and extent of the atonement.
It’s also been my honor and privilege to have endorsements from the following dear friends and fellow believers:
One of the most hotly debated theological questions pertains to the extent of the atonement: For whom did Christ die? But Josh Niemi makes a compelling argument for seeking to first understand the intent of the atonement in order to address the extent of it. Working primarily from Leviticus, Josh layers on biblical argument upon biblical argument until he lands his conclusion with the force of an anvil. Well-researched, soundly exegeted, clearly written, and fiercely apologetic, Greater Than Aaron stands as triumphant work showcasing the supremacy of Jesus Christ’s limited atonement.
—Nate Pickowicz, pastor, Harvest Bible Church, Gilmanton Iron Works, NH; author of Reviving New England and Why We’re Protestant
Crisp. Clear. Refreshing. While these three words might describe a sunny Fall day in New England, they are actually descriptions of Josh Niemi’s latest, and needed, literary offering to the world of evangelicalism. While books about Jesus and His work are rarely runaway bestsellers, this book should be.
—Mike Abendroth, pastor, Bethlehem Bible Church, West Boylston; radio host, No Compromise Radio.
This is a precise, well-written, wonderfully accessible work that’s also a fine example of how biblical theology should be done. It’s not another hackneyed polemical argument about the extent of the atonement from some overzealous cage-stage Calvinist. It is a superb discourse on the whole doctrine of atonement grounded in a careful verse-by-verse study of Leviticus 16. I’ve often said there is no more solid doctrinal anchor than a sound and thorough grasp of Christ’s atoning work—especially in its relationship to the Old Testament sacrificial system. I can’t think of a better resource than Josh Niemi’s Greater Than Aaron for anyone seeking a clear, historical, thoroughly biblical understanding of that vital doctrine.
—Phil Johnson, executive director, Grace To You
Leviticus is notorious for ending the ambitions of readers who embark on a Bible reading plan, and my hope is that Greater Than Aaron will change that. This is especially true for parents who are leading their children through God’s Word. Once you see the Lord Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of all that was embodied in the rituals of the Day of Atonement, I don’t think you’ll ever be able to “unsee” it. Instead, you’ll find that Leviticus 16 is one of the absolute best texts of Scripture to help others, children included, understand the cross. On that basis, it may become one of your most beloved portions of Scripture. Finally, as you consider what Jesus accomplished on the cross, in comparison to what Aaron foreshadowed in the tabernacle, my hope is that you would exchange the Arminian concept of universal atonement for the supremacy of Christ’s limited atonement.