Customer Reviews

Apostolic Preaching of the Cross

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This is one of the best studies of the cross in the twentieth century. It is not a comprehensive theological study of the cross. Instead, Morris focuses on words such as redemption, propitiation, and reconciliation. Like most academic books, it is difficult to read and tedious at times. It presupposes a working knowledge of Hebrew and Greek. But working through this book will greatly enrich your understanding of the cross. The sections on propitiation are worth the price of the book. These sections are the definitive conservative critique of C. H. Dodd's position that hilaskomai referred only to expiation

Leon Morris delivers a theological robust rebuttal of CH Dodd's explanation, and the modernist view of Christ's sacrifice being too bloody for a just God. The word 'hilaiskos' is hermeneutically proven to mean 'propitiation' and not just 'expiation'.

Many Bibles have opted in favor of translating the word as 'expiation' which fails to assert that God's wrath was appeased. There is correspondingly a lesser need for repentance.

Luther's Nr 1 thesis of the 95 nailed to the Wittenburg Church door, was:

'That the life of the faithful should be one of perpetual repentance.'

This was obviously, at that time, intended to counter the repentance brought through mass, confession to a priest and other means invented by Catholicism. Today, the need for repentance is once again being downplayed by those wishing to describe God as so 'loving.'

'It was inevitable that the wrath of God should be the divine reaction to sin.' p 253

The word-study of the major words in soteriology is exegesis of the highest biblical standard.

'Wrath has occupied such an important place in the argument leading up to this section (Romans 3: 21-31) that we are justified in looking for some expression indicative of its cancellation in the process which brings about salvation.' p 169

The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross is not so much a book as it is a collection of word studies. Each chapter (or, at times, two-chapter unit) provides an in-depth study of a Greek word used by the New Testament writers to describe what happened on/because of the Cross. Morris digs into the historical and literary context of the word as it is used in the NT and beyond, and he even brings in the relevant LXX and Hebrew Old Testament words and passages.

Overall, this is a great resource to use when studying the subject of the Cross (not to mention a great example of how a word study is done). Morris provides what I would consider to be a definitive work. My only criticism of the author is his propensity to go too deep, providing some details that I am not sure anyone would ever need to know! Otherwise, this is a great reference for sermon preparation or academic study.

Apostolic Preaching of the Cross is a demanding book, but if the demands can be met by the reader, this is an outstanding and exhaustive treatment of a narrow and crucial issue, "What did Jesus actually do for us, and how?" The demands are, first, that the reader approach the study with an hermeneutics of faith, meaning a belief that something special was done by someone special and that someone and something are revealed in Scripture. Second, some knowledge of Greek is necessary, probably the more the better, but at least a rudimentary understanding of how the language works. Third, a general comprehension of what the Scriptures have to say, how they say it, and how the languages of Scripture relate to one another is needed to keep from being overwhelmed by the quotes.

If one cannot meet at least a couple of these, it would be better for now to read something less academic but very useful, such as Gomes' *Good Book: Discovering the Bible.* In short, I give Leon Morris five stars, but this ranking is conditional on it being the correct choice for a particular reader. As the Brits like to say, "Different horses for different courses."

I must reluctantly add, however, that the Greek font used in the Kindle edition is bizarre and irritating, sometimes truly obnoxious. Apostolic Preaching of the Cross