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Rating: 
Summary: Not to be glossed over but full of important information
Review: Although it is less than 100 pages in length, don't let the size fool you. This book is power-packed with information about the art of Roman crucifixion and how the cross is foolishness to those who perish, in former times as well as today. The book is a translation from German, and as in many translations, the flow seems very uneven, making it hard to keep pace. In addition, Hengel uses plenty of technical terms and refers constantly to other languages, especially Latin and Greek, so some laypeople may have a hard time wading their way through it all as well as the numerous footnotes at the bottom of the page (which sometimes takes up half a page or more). But, if you work hard, you will find a number of excellent items to highlight. In the end you will realize that crucifixion was anything but a bloodless punishment. From the whipping that normally took place beforehand to the way people were stapled onto the crosses, this was torture at its worst. This was the method that the Son of Man paid the ultimate price for our sins. This message is the central theme of the historic Christian faith. Amen.
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Summary: GOOD BOOK
Review: FOR ALL THE READERS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN ARQUEOLOGY.
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Summary: Classic Treatise on Crucifixion
Review: Translated from German, this is outstanding look at this practice in the ancient world and the cross of Christ.The great reversal of God's Son crucified and this is good news? is a scandal to the natural mind of humankind. Hengel shows these two aspects well, carefully documented his sources from ancient history and Scripture. The theology of the cross vs. that of glory is reflected in this theologian's writing, e.g. "The heart of the Christian message, which Paul described as the 'word of the cross' (logos tou staurou--transliterating the Greek), ran counter not only to Roman political thinking, but to the whole ethos of religion in ancient times and in particular to the ideas of God held by educated people." Still true today. This is excellent reference for your shelf, also try and obtain Paul Maier's "In Fullness of Time," and Eric Kiehl's "The Passion of Our Lord."
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Summary: This is not a book for the squeamish
Review: When Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:18 that the message of the cross is `folly' to those who are perishing, modern readers don't fully understand what that means. Hengel's work surveys material on crucifixion from all parts of the ancient world. In doing so he reveals that for the people of the ancient world, Greeks, Romans, barbarians and Jews, crucifixion was not something you treated lightly or glossed over. It was absolutely obscene and wasn't referred to in polite company. That Christians could claim that the Son of God was crucified would have been not just outrageous, but offensive. While parts of this book are quite technical (especially in Hengel's use of ancient languages) it is helpful in restoring our sense of just what an astonishing thing God has done through Christ. In a world where the symbol of a cross has become quite commonplace, and even something we might wear as jewellery, this book helps to change your perspective.
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