All in Theology
Jesus on Circumcision
Circumcision is equated with the healing of a man's body. This is a blessing and a gift. It is deliverance as is fitting for the Sabbath. It i the fulfillment of the year of Jubilee (Luke 4:18).
Sarai’s jealousy of Hagar, a gentile, and is a fascinating foreshadow of the Jewish response to the teaching ministry of Paul (Acts 13:45-50; 28:24-28; etc.).
I am a Calvinist. I have a card and everything to prove it. But the misappropriation of texts like John 12:32 has to stop if we are going to be faithful to Biblical and valid historical interpretation.
So long answer short, I believe the reasons is to demonstrate the destructive behavior associated with the practice but also to show that God is capable of working through it.
In a similar fashion, this is Abram trying to fulfill God’s promises through law. Despite God’s promise, Abram and Sarah decided to fulfill it in their own strength and way against the counsel of God. This is a recapitulation of the fall of Adam and Eve. It also predicates Israel’s rejection of the gospel to seek righteousness through the law (Rom 9:30-33).
Ecumenical Prayer
Ecumenical endeavors are generally scoffed at and rightly so. But tonight I'll successfully pray an ecumenical prayer. And it will be a successful ecumenical endeavor.
Even if only within me.
Christian Hope is Prayer
Christian faith in this way is tied to Christian prayer. Christian prayer is "cry[ing] to him day and night."
Full written review can be found here. This book has serious flaws. It isn't without value but it is far from being generally beneficial to the church.