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Summary: Excellent Work on the Atonement! Summary below
Review: "But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ," - Galatians 6:14 NASBThe name John Stott is well recognized among Bible students today, and for good reason. He has long been recognized for his gifted teaching, penetrating insight and pastoral warmth. His writings take the profound teachings of Christianity; shine much needed light on them, and in the same fluid motion, they plug the teachings into the lives of their readers. This book is no exception. The Cross of Christ is considered to be Stott's greatest work by more than a few people and I myself would place it in the top five books I've ever read. It's that good. The central theme of this book is to explain why and how the finished work of Christ on the cross is central to the Christian faith. It deals more with how salvation was provided for on the cross and not so much how it becomes effective for salvation in the life of a person. Stott begins by considering some preliminary issues such as the centrality of the cross in our faith. Stott says of Christ, "What dominated his mind was not the living but the giving of His life"(32). Stott rightly suggests that the cause of Christ's death was both the wickedness of men and the plan of God. He was turned over to the priests out of Judas' greed, turned over to Pilate out of the priest's envy, and handed over to the soldiers out of Pilate's cowardice, and the soldiers crucified Him. However, the blame for Christ's death cannot be placed solely on these individuals because He was not only suffering for their sins, but ours too. All this was according to the plan of God also. His love desired out salvation, and the only righteous way to do such a thing was to place our sins on the Savior and to have Him pay our penalty. The chasm is great between ourselves and a holy God. Stott says that "sin is not only the attempt to be God; it is also the refusal to be man, by shuffling off the responsibility for our actions"(101). So in order for God to offer salvation to mankind, He must do so righteously, without contradicting Himself. Man can never repay such a tremendous debt. This is where the Savior enters the picture. In other words, "How can he save us and satisfy himself simultaneously? We reply to this point that, in order to satisfy himself, He sacrificed - indeed substituted - himself for us" (132). Stott declares, "...neither Christ alone as man not the Father alone as God could be our substitute. Only God in Christ, God the Father's own and only Son made man, could take our place" (160). The result of this divine transaction in that man can be pronounced legally righteous, justified, in the sight of God. Stott tells us that it is very important to understand the accomplishments of the cross, "for the better people understand the glory of the divine substitution, the easier it will be for them to trust in the Substitute" (203). After Stott delineates the details involved in the atonement of Christ he does something that few theologians do by discussing what it means to live under the shadow of the cross. He tells us that the greatest singe event, in which God simultaneously shows us His justice and His love, was in the cross. Ultimately, God dealt with the problem of evil at the cross when he provided salvation from it to all those who would trust Him. Now we have unlimited access to God which should mark our lives with joy. Discipleship logically follows from salvation. Once God saves us, we give up "our supposed right to go on our own way" (279). We realize our position in Christ and we literally mortify the deeds of the flesh that once controlled us. Knowing that we are valuable in the sight of God should cause us to be giving in sacrificial service. Power and pride should now give way to service and humility. Last but not least, Stott deals with Christian suffering. The causes of suffering are varied, but its results should be patient endurance and mature holiness (315,16). Even while our faith is being tried, we can rest easier knowing that God loves us and has promised an ultimate deliverance. Our involvement with evil should not be in its repayment but on letting God deal righteously. The best examples of how we are to react to suffering are the meekness and trust in the sovereignty of God that were displayed in the life of Christ, culminating in His death. In summary, John Stott's The Cross of Christ is a book that teaches the prediction of, the necessity for, the accomplishments gained by and the benefits resulting from Christ's substitutionary death on the cross. I feel like this is a much-needed work at this point in time when much of Christianity is focused on Christian living with our never sufficiently knowing why we live like we do. I am a firm believer that correct behavior can only be consistently lived when our minds are thinking correctly beforehand. Observation tells me that it is virtually impossible to behave correctly without believing correctly. In my opinion, Stott places the importance of Christ's cross exactly where is should be in our list of priorities...right at the top.
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Summary: A review from an atheist...
Review: As an atheist loaned this book by a friend, I feel I can contribute a degree of critical detachment that may not otherwise be present. Overall I found this an interesting, if slightly frustrating read. The main focus of the book is on the Christian atonement; the presumption that Christ assumed and assuaged the sins of the world with his death. Stott is concerned with showing the centrality of the atonement to christian thought, and how the theology of the cross provides a prescriptive basis for action in modern life. From a theological viewpoint, the exposition is excellent, and Stott develops his position with lucidity and rigour. He is not afraid of theological complications, and though occaisonally guilty of establishing straw men, there is a sense of intellectual honesty on the part of the author. Educated atheists will find nothing intellectually challenging here, and dedicated students of philosophy will derive some amusement from Stott's several 'mistakes' (in addition to the faulty premises). Indeed, because Stott's purpose here is "preaching to the converted" rather than conversion, he adopts several rehetorical positions long discredited and abandoned by mainstream thought. To be fair though, Stott disdains the anti-intellectualism of much evangelical thought, and the logic is of a far higher standard than most christian polemics. The later sections of the book are weaker, as Stott translates his beliefs into a political agenda akin to liberation theology. Unfortunately, these sections merely reveals the author's ignorance of economics, physics, biochemistry, history, and politics. There are 1 or 2 factual errors that could have benefited from tighter editing here too. Nonetheless the work has considerable educational value in it's evangelical theology, and I would recommend it to students of the genre.
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Summary: Çѱ¹ÀÎÀ» À§ÇÑ [±×¸®½ºµµÀÇ ½ÊÀÚ°¡] ¼Æò
Review: Á¸ ½ºÅäÆ®' ¼¼°èÀûÀÎ º¹À½ÁÖÀÇ ¼³±³ÀÚÀÌ'Ù. IFES¸¦ ÅëÇؼ Ưº°È÷ û³âµé¿¡°Ô ±×¸®½ºµµÀÇ º¹À½À» ¿Á¤ÀûÀ¸·Î ÀüÇÏ°í ÀÖ' ±ÍÇÑ ÁÖÀÇ Á¾ÀÌ'Ù. ÀÌ [±×¸®½ºµµÀÇ ½ÊÀÚ°¡]' ±âµ¶±³¿¡ ÀÖ¾î¼ '½ÊÀÚ°¡'°¡ °¡Áö' Àǹ̰¡ ¹«¾ùÀÎÁö, ¿Ö ±âµ¶±³ÀÇ »ó¡ÀÌ ½ÊÀÚ°¡°¡ µÇ¾ú'ÂÁö, ±×¸®°í ±âµ¶±³°¡ '½ÊÀÚ°¡'¸¸À» ÀÚ¶ûÇÏ°í ³»¼¼¿ö¾ß ÇÏ' ÀÌÀ¯°¡ ¹«¾ùÀÎÁö ÃæºÐÇÑ ·¹ÆÛ·±½º¿Í ³í¸®¸¦ ¹ÙÅÁÀ¸·Î ±×·¯³ª ¸Å¿ì °¨µ¿ÀûÀ¸·Î À̾߱⸦ Ç®¾î³ª°¡°í ÀÖ'Ù. Á¦ÀÓ½º ÆÐÄ¿ÀÇ ¸»'ë·Î ÀÌ Ã¥Àº "¿ÊÀ» ÆȾƼ¶óµµ ²À »ç¾ßÇÏ' å"ÀÌ'Ù.
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Summary: About the symbol most attacked by non-believers
Review: From Satanists to pagans to the non-believing world at large, the cross of Christ is the most despised symbol in probably all creation. What it stands for brings out the snidest comments I have ever heard. And no wonder! Even Paul said that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who perish. Stott does a marvelous job tracking the centrality of the cross and just what it means for the faithful Christian. This is not a skimming kind of book that many non-Christians whose diet consists of 100% fiction will appreciate. It will cause you to think, but as an earlier reviewer hinted, it's the kind of book more people in our churches desperately need to read. If you want milk, as so many Christian bookstores offer, then you will live a superficial Christian life. If you want meat that will help you dig deeper into this relationship you have with God, then I suggest picking up The Cross of Christ and making sure your highlighter is in new condition...you will need it!
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Summary: Totally compelling!
Review: I can't agree with the above review (kamann@) more. I believed in God but not Christ in April of 1991. A minister said a few words about the the substitution meaning of "for" in "Christ died for us" and I asked where I could read more about this. The minister handed me this volume. In short time ICor 18 became true for me: "For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the wisdom and power of God." I scare can take it in. I pray that God has mercy on all who read this, as He did on me, surely chief of sinners. I ordered a copy for a friend at this review time.
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Summary: The ultimate explanation and exposition of why Jesus came
Review: I was exposed to this book as part of a class at my church on Christology (the study of the nature of Christ). It made the person and work of Jesus Christ clearer than anything I have ever read. Unresolvable issues like why Jesus had to be completely God and completely man are made inescapably clear. If you dare to really know who Jesus Christ is, and what he did for you, I encourage you to read this book.
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Summary: Thoughtful, thorough and thrilling explanation of the Cross
Review: If you ever want to find out what is at the very heart of the Christian faith Stott argues that the death of Jesus is crucial. Although a serious read which convincingly refutes many of the wrong and inadequate views of the Cross, Stott leaves us with an understanding of the event that is coherrent, powerful and ultimately thrilling. As well as providing understanding, the book explores what it truly means to live 'under the shadow' of the Cross, demonstrating that the very best theology is extremely practical - indeed, life-changing.
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Summary: An engaging look at why the cross was necessary
Review: It has been a long time since I have read a book that was as well research and written as Stott's The Cross of Christ. I especially enjoyed the chapters that dealt with both the holiness of God and how the crucifixion allowed the creation of a new convenant with sinful man. While reading this book I happened to listen to a series of tapes on the holiness of God by Sproule. The combination of Stott's book and the tapes was absolutely enthralling.
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Summary: Excellent - the Core of the Christan Faith
Review: Jesus told us to remember His death. It was the crowning achievement of our Savior. Everything about our salvation is rooted in that monumental work. Stott's exposition of the atoning work of Christ is exceptional. He covers each aspect of the Cross's accomplishments. I could not more highly recommend this classic for a Christian believer. It will deepen your understanding, faith, devotion and love of our Savior.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent - the Core of the Christan Faith
Review: Jesus told us to remember His death. It was the crowning achievement of our Savior. Everything about our salvation is rooted in that monumental work. Stott's exposition of the atoning work of Christ is exceptional. He covers each aspect of the Cross's accomplishments. I could not more highly recommend this classic for a Christian believer. It will deepen your understanding, faith, devotion and love of our Savior.
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