Review by jimthorne2 -- Roadmap to the End of Days

[jimthorne2]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Roadmap to the End of Days" by Daniel Friedmann.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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Roadmap to the End of Days
Daniel Friedmann

Daniel Friedmann vividly presents a blueprint for history from Cosmic purpose to the end of days. The pattern of Biblical history is pictured then drawn out in great detail from the dawn of creation to the end of this world. Purposely drawing from mystical tradition, Friedmann explains each era in a timeline of history pointing out that “Past and future events, described and plotted on a timeline and superimposed on a plan for human history, will provide readers with the roadmap to the End of Days.” (54) Friedmann proposes a journey from the past to the future for the reader.

This book is an interesting attempt to give the reader a complete view of the sweep of time. I liked the clear description of Old Testament history which he uses as the basis for the timeline. I appreciate the hope stressed about an end of days that is positive rather than negative. The understanding of Biblical history displayed is accurate as far as it goes. In other words, the general idea of the book is very helpful for someone interested in the affairs of mankind with an explanation of history as it applies to both past and present events. What I don’t like about the book is the selective use of Scripture to support the author’s premises. For instance, the idea that Amalek is the consistent enemy to God’s purposes is often state and hinted at but never specifically supported by Biblical exegesis. His fundamental commitment to mystical interpretation governs his commentary on history. His scholarship is lacking because he ignores any other option to the interpretation of the Old Testament than his mystical interpretation. Finally, what I don’t like about Friedmann’s book is that his view of Biblical history ignores any reference to the significance and impact of the New Testament message upon general history and the end of days specifically.

I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. If someone is looking for a comprehensive report of history, they will be intrigued but disappointed. How can a history that does not include the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ come close to comprehensiveness? Someone seeking a study of the Old Testament will find much of interest but be misled by the exclusion of Biblical covenants as a determining factor in Biblical prophecy.

Friedmann’s view of history is important since he proposes to tell us the end from the beginning. He says that his treatment is from a supernatural perspective, but his definition of supernatural is mysticism. He speaks with disfavor about cyclical views of history but then tells us that time obeys certain cycles. He needs these cycles to bolster his idea of repeated historical eras in the timeline. Friedmann’s contention that the Bible is not a history book disputes his own construction of a roadmap based upon the Bible. A Christian view of history is not cyclical. It is a linear representation of the revelation of God in both Old and New Testament scriptures and provides a true biblical history and eschatology.

Our author’s description of time is brilliant. Utilizing mystical interpretation, he speaks of time being kept differently in the physical world than in the spiritual worlds. The effect of this position is that he accepts a day-age view proposed by scientists committed to evolutionary hypotheses. On the contrary, I think that God creates the clock of time, sets the time, governs the time and reveals in Scripture the roadmap of human history as it stretches out from beginning to end.

Friedmann’s contention is that there is a roadmap from the beginning to end of time. He lists specific times and dates for this roadmap. He attempts a rational proof for the length of each period of time but fails in the effort. He says that the value of his roadmap is that it provides mankind with the opportunity to make history work for cosmic purpose. He says that this physical world was made so that God would have an abode here. Of course, this is pure speculation since God does not tell us why He created but that He created.

There are a few points that Friedmann makes that I must challenge:
• There is no Biblical evidence that Moses was commanded by God to compel the world to accept the Seven Noahide Laws.
• Ignoring the Biblical Covenants is inadequate Biblical eschatology.
• Proposing several Messiahs and ignoring the claims of Jesus in the New Testament is poor scholarship.
• Self-development is a feeble substitution for personal deliverance from sin.
• Implying that man rather than God is in control of events in history does not follow logically from the author’s point that either everything is preordained and proceeding according to a plan, or we have complete free will – i.e., we are unconstrained in making moral decisions.

Roadmap is Book 3 of Inspired Studies. It is a non-fiction attempt at Demystifying Biblical Eschatology. Roadmap is a Jewish eschatology and does not include the Christian Scriptures or Christian eschatology. The author’s view of the Bible is limited to the Old Testament and does not contain the New Testament. How scholarly is that? He should have dealt with that issue or at least recognized that there is an issue. There is a deliberate neglect of Christian claims. Friedmann’s work at reconciling the Biblical account with scientific observation uses the Bible to illustrate his scientific theory. This approach severely prejudices his view toward scientism which he seeks to compensate by a commitment to mystical tradition.

Friedmann’s book is nothing like J.D. Pentecost’s Things to Come, an excellent treatment of Biblical eschatology which includes both Old Testament and New Testament input and provides a true roadmap to the end of days. L. S. Chafer’s Systematic Theology, Volume IV Ecclesiology, Eschatology delivers a complete roadmap to the end of days this displays the teaching of the whole Bible on this vital subject.

Friedmann’s Roadmap forced me to think through my personal convictions as a Biblical Christian educated trained in theology. I appreciate the challenge. It encouraged me to see eschatology as something of concern to my Jewish brethren. Friedmann’s attempt is praiseworthy but falls short of what it could be. Potential readers should be ready for a shock at how Biblical history can be so portrayed to fool us into thinking that we can survive on partial revelation. True Biblical eschatology must be truly Biblical.

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Roadmap to the End of Days
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Like jimthorne2's review? Post a comment saying so!

[kandscreeley]

I started this book to review as a volunteer review. However, I did not finish it in light of some of the very things that you have said. I could not understand how he was talking about Biblical end times without talking about the Bible. I wasn't quite sure who the audience for this book was. True Christians wouldn't want to read this as it doesn't contain truths from the New Testament as you stated. Unbelievers don't believe that Armageddon is real, so they wouldn't want to read this. I appreciate your review as I know that I am not alone in this thinking. Thanks!

[jimthorne2]

I agree and tried to make my points in my review. I appreciate the reinforcement.