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The Cross of Christ

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"But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ," - Galatians 6:14 NASB

The 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.

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.

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.

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!

This book is broken up into four main part: "Approaching the Cross," "The Heart of the Cross," "The Achievement of the Cross," and "Living under the Cross." These four sections show why and how Christ's cross is central to the Christian faith.
Stott begins the first section by showing prominence of the cross throughout Christian history. He shows that the early church used it as a sign and symbol, and the apostles made it central in their preaching. These things became so because the cross was the passion of Christ. Stott said, "What dominated his mind was not the living but the giving of His life"(32). He also address the enemies of the cross and shows that despite men's hatred of the cross it still remains the center focus of Christianity. Next, Stott tackled the question "Why did Christ die?". The answer he provides is that it was both the wickedness of men and the plan of God. He said, "he did not die; he was killed. . . . He was not killed; he died, giving himself up voluntarily to do his Father's will" (61-2). He looks at the last twenty-four hours of Jesus' life and shows that his mission was the cross.
In the second section he shows the need for forgiveness. This involves satisfying God's holiness and justness. The problem is, in Stott's 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). Through this substitution men can receive right standing before God.
The third section focuses on what Christ's cross did. First, and foremost, it provides salvation for sinners. He focuses on a few key terms: propitiation, redemption, justification, and reconciliation. Second, the revelatory work of the cross. Stott said, "When we look at the cross we see the justice, love, wisdom, and power of God." It is "a demonstration, of God's justice, love, wisdom and power. The cross assures us that this God is the reality within, behind and beyond the universe" (226). Third, it is the way of victory. Christ was victorious. Christians have victory through the blood of Christ that was shed from the cross.
The fourth section focuses on the practical implications of the cross to those who believe. Christians have fellowship around the cross (not food). Stott argued that the cross demands both self-denial and self-affirmation. This, according to Stott, leads to self-giving, not self-gratification. Living under the cross also means Christians must love their enemies, after all Christ died on the cross for sinners, his enemies. The cross also teaches about suffering. Christians should expect it and endure it with patience because it should bring maturity and holiness.
This book contains a scripture index and a subject index. This allows it not to only be a good read, but also a good reference. Anyone who loves the cross will love this book. Stott writes with an inviting style. The book is well researched. This reviewer would recommend this book without reservation. The only criticism that might be made is that chapters 10 and 11 are a little touchy feely.

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.

John Stott's the cross of Christ is the most thorough examination of why the cross is crucial to Christianity I have ever read. Whether you buy the idea that God's Son came to earth to take the just punishment for sinners or not you need to read this book to understand why this event is and has been so crucial to Christians for the last 2000 years.

Stott examines the implications for Christ's death as well as alternative views in a charitable, but forthright manner. In fact, I never even thought of all the ways people have looked at the meaning of Christ's death. I leave this book with a lot to think about, and many new reasons to be grateful for my loving Savior.

This is a must read for all Christians and others who wonder, "Why do they think Jesus had to be crucified?"

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.

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.

From the beginning John Stott recognizes the impossibility of exhausting that which will take an eternity to unfold. He also acknowledges that the cross is not something that we can distantly analyze and discuss. As Stott says, "we can stand before it only with a bowed head and a broken spirit". Throughout this work our author appears to be a man that is bowed and broken himself. Stott, on the topic of the Cross of Christ is a sure guide.

He begins by approaching the cross (his introduction) and then moves us to the "heart of the cross". This is the meat of Stott's book. It is his argument for substitutionary atonement. After attempting to convince the reader of the substitutionary core of the cross our author discusses the benefits that this sacrifice has produced. Many authors prior have stopped at this point in their discussion of the cross, not Stott. He introduces a much needed fourth section; what it means to "live under the cross". Perhaps the many books that have hit our shelves since 1986 owe a debt of gratitude to Stott's premise that, "the cross transforms everything".

What I Enjoyed:

Perhaps the best section is Stott's fourth. The entire book is worthy of our read, yet the practical application of "living under the cross" is priceless. In fact, Stott does a wonderful job of keeping the entire book "out of the clouds" and into the life of the every day believer. It will speak to those in the ivory tower but also will touch the lives of those in the marketplace.

The book may be a little difficult for the typical lay person, but by no means unreadable. The learned scholar will not be in the least bored by this work, nor would a newer believer be completely lost. Stott teaches on the Cross in a clear and concise manner.

What I Disliked:

Something about Stott's writing style (which I typically enjoy) caused me to get distracted occasionally. It seemed as if at times Stott would walk us up to the foot of the cross, and then point across the street at something else. By no means would this have ever been his intent, yet the book is wrought with some arguments that took place 20 years ago and are less relevant today. In the 20th anniversary edition perhaps this should have been edited.

There are also a few things with which I disagree with Stott on. Occasionally it appears that his desire to be ecumenical makes the truth seem more fluid than it needs to be.

Should You Buy It?:

How can you not by a book that CJ Mahaney recommends as the elite book on the cross? In all actuality if I were to recommend a book on the cross to a typical believer it would not be Stott's it would be Mahaney's The Cross Centered Life. Yet, Stott's is an essential companion. To the pastor/theologian this work is a must have. To the everyday reader it is not a "must-have" but one that would be very beneficial to own.

Additional Note to the Reader:

I am fully aware that Stott believes in Annihilationism. I consider this as I recommend this book. The truth is his Annihilationism, from what I could tell, did not affect this book. I am certain that he might have taken a few different roads had he held to an eternal conscious torment in hell. Nevertheless, Stott does acknowledge the punishment and wrath of God, as well as the idea of separation from the Godhead. Therefore, Stott's view on Annihilationism does not cause me to refrain from recommending this work.