What do we do when God's actions or words contradict our understanding, contradict what we have believed? The book of Habakkuk answers this question in the face of the Babylonian invasion of Judah. Habakkuk is a book of discipleship, a book written to bring its reader to a deeper faith in Yahweh in the presence of His unthinkable deeds.
Using study questions addressing the text, theology, and application of Habakkuk and explanatory comments on difficult themes, Believe the Unbelievable seeks to realize this purpose for the contemporary reader.
Believe the Unbelievable is based on the author's translation of Habakkuk. This translation is printed in the study guide and can be accessed, along with additional resources, at https://teleioteti.ca/2017/12/21/a-translation-of-habakkuk/
Endorsements
My good friend, James Rutherford, has given the church a gift. He has taken his love for God’s Word and focused it on an Old Testament book that most Christians know very little about. The result is a study in Habakkuk that brings together deep insight and real relevance. Habakkuk is a voice among the biblical chorus that believers need to hear today. Thank you, James, for helping us to hear it clearly and faithfully. - Fred Eaton, Neighbourhood Pastor of Christ City Church Kitsilano (Vancouver, Canada)
James Rutherford is a capable and creative thinker, well equipped to tackle tough projects, such as the book of Habakkuk. In this study guide, Rutherford has produced a very useful resource for individual or group study. He combines theological acumen and well-honed linguistic and literary skills to discover and then to present, in highly understandable fashion, the riches of this not so “minor” Minor Prophet. - V. Philips Long, Professor of Old Testament, Regent College
James Rutherford graduated from Pacific Life Bible College with a Bachelor of Pastoral Leadership (2014) and from Regent College with a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, majoring in Hebrew, and a Master of Theology, majoring in Old Testament (2018). Currently, he is a PhD student at Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia. James serves at and is part of Christ City Church Kitsilano and manages Teleioteti.ca. He is happily married to Nicole and the father of Aliyah. When not writing, he manages the office for several realtors in Vancouver, enjoys cooking, and enjoys hiking the mountains of the West Coast with his family.
