Rating: 
Summary: Fulcrum of the Faith
Review: John Stott has written a comprehensive work on the central emblem of the Christian faith; The Cross of Christ. He digs deep into the essentials of Christian theology to bring the reader a able book that explains the amazing grace of God in Christ. Although, he uses a few big words, for the most part the 383 pages are comfortable. Stott harvests his facts and examples from the Bible. Beginning with a narrative of Christ's journey to Calvary and the sublime Easter climax, the author draws the reader into the passion of Christ, which is the salvation event for mankind. The need for salvation is presupposed by mankind's collective and individual sinfulness. To describe this, the author interacts with the social science of psychology amongst other disciplines to unpack a deep personal meaning of sin for the modern person. Hence the necessity for a atoning sacrifice to appease God's justified anger at sin. Jesus offers himself as the humble sacrifice in place of sinful man. This in turn brings about forgiveness, reconciliation (peace with God), justification (declared right before God), redemption (freedom), victory over evil and healing of such things as guilt and shame. Also, Stott interacts well with the issue of God's righteous anger and wonderful love harmoniously demonstrated on the cross of Christ. The author vigorously emphasizes that the above exceptional blessings are accessed only through faith. That is to believe and trust Jesus as the only saviour. Furthermore, Stott makes it very clear to the reader, that the blessings of God are an awesome gift of God and cannot be earned in any way; therefore it is truly amazing grace. I felt disappointed that the author did not describe the theology of forgiveness in more detail, I consider forgiveness to be pertinent for our times, despite the sad fact that a recent survey in Canada has shown that some people do not consider it as relevant for today's society. This reviewer is very happy with this fine book, for I am entirely predisposed towards this subject. Given that, I am able to recommend this book to Christians and to others, but only if they are interested in learning about the key symbol of Christianity.
Rating:
Summary: Fulcrum of the Faith
Review: John Stott has written a comprehensive work on the central emblem of the Christian faith; The Cross of Christ. He digs deep into the essentials of Christian theology to bring the reader a able book that explains the amazing grace of God in Christ. Although, he uses a few big words, for the most part the 383 pages are comfortable. Stott harvests his facts and examples from the Bible. Beginning with a narrative of Christ's journey to Calvary and the sublime Easter climax, the author draws the reader into the passion of Christ, which is the salvation event for mankind. The need for salvation is presupposed by mankind's collective and individual sinfulness. To describe this, the author interacts with the social science of psychology amongst other disciplines to unpack a deep personal meaning of sin for the modern person. Hence the necessity for a atoning sacrifice to appease God's justified anger at sin. Jesus offers himself as the humble sacrifice in place of sinful man. This in turn brings about forgiveness, reconciliation (peace with God), justification (declared right before God), redemption (freedom), victory over evil and healing of such things as guilt and shame. Also, Stott interacts well with the issue of God's righteous anger and wonderful love harmoniously demonstrated on the cross of Christ. The author vigorously emphasizes that the above exceptional blessings are accessed only through faith. That is to believe and trust Jesus as the only saviour. Furthermore, Stott makes it very clear to the reader, that the blessings of God are an awesome gift of God and cannot be earned in any way; therefore it is truly amazing grace. I felt disappointed that the author did not describe the theology of forgiveness in more detail, I consider forgiveness to be pertinent for our times, despite the sad fact that a recent survey in Canada has shown that some people do not consider it as relevant for today's society. This reviewer is very happy with this fine book, for I am entirely predisposed towards this subject. Given that, I am able to recommend this book to Christians and to others, but only if they are interested in learning about the key symbol of Christianity.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent foundation for Christian belief.
Review: The author presents the very foundation of Christian faith and purpose of life. The material leads the reader through the discovery of the mystery of Christ and what and why he suffered for sinners. Further, believers are given the opportunity to follow Christ in faith and purpose. Finally, the book can be read again and again to good benefit as the Christian grows in understanding as revealed through prayer.
Rating:
Summary: Life changing
Review: The Cross of Christ would have to be one of the finest Christian books written in the past 20 years. It covers one of the most important areas of Christian understanding - the cross itself. Its coverage is excellent, not just resting on what the cross achieves, but helping to think through some of the implications the cross should have on how we live today.
The title of the conclusion ('The pervasive influence of the cross') does some up the powerful message of the book - that the cross of Christ is central and has a powerful impact on the life of a Christian.
Miss this book to your peril! Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond the Passion
Review: This would be an excellent book to read if you need more background material after going to Mel Gibson's movie the Passion. It starts with a history of church use of the cross. Then it moves into expository teaching on Bible verses leading up to Jesus' death on the cross. It also references non-Biblical sources like Josephus, Tertullian, Oliver Barclay, William Barclay and several contemporary theologians. Like other John Stott books it is logically presented with copious references. There are indices by Bible verse and by words in the text. There is also a comprehensive reference list.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond the Passion
Review: This would be an excellent book to read if you need more background material after going to Mel Gibson's movie the Passion. It starts with a history of church use of the cross. Then it moves into expository teaching on Bible verses leading up to Jesus' death on the cross. It also references non-Biblical sources like Josephus, Tertullian, Oliver Barclay, William Barclay and several contemporary theologians. Like other John Stott books it is logically presented with copious references. There are indices by Bible verse and by words in the text. There is also a comprehensive reference list.
Rating:
Summary: The Cross of Christ
Review: With a writing style that appealed to this former skeptic Stott dispeled clouds of confusion surrounding concepts like "salvation" and "redemption". He explained the reality that was behind the Christian jargon and removed false intellectual barriers to understanding the need for the cruxified and risen Christ. One of the 2 or 3 most life-changing books I have ever read.
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