The Cross from a Distance: Atonement in Mark's Gospel (New Studies in Biblical Theology) [Paperback]

Peter G. Bolt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 9, 2004 | Series: New Studies in Biblical Theology (Book 18)

"They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha. . . . And they crucified him. . . . Some women were watching from a distance." (Mark 15:22, 24, 40). At the climax of Mark's Gospel, Jesus of Nazareth is put to death on a Roman cross. The text tells us that, in that lonely hour, a group of women were watching the crucifixion "from a distance." In a sense, they are given a stance toward the cross that we can share. In this exploration of Mark's Gospel, Peter G. Bolt looks at why the cross is so prominent in the narrative, asks what contribution Mark's teaching can make to our understanding of the atonement, and shows how this teaching can inform, correct and enrich our own preaching of the gospel in the contemporary world. He helps us to stand in wonder before the God who has come close to us in the cross of Jesus Christ and to live in hope for the better things to come.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this study of the Gospel of Mark, Dr. Peter Bolt is an enormously engaging and informed guide. Section after section of the Gospel comes into sharper focus, as more and more of Mark is read in the light of the movement and direction of its thought. Interwoven with the exegesis is a great deal of useful interaction with a wide range of well-chosen literature, and incisive meditation on what this cross-saturated text says to us today. Dr. Bolt combines careful reading and profound theological synthesis. . . . The result is a book that will stimulate and edify any serious Christian reader." (D. A. Carson, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (from the Preface) )

About the Author

Bolt is lecturer in New Testament at Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 213 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (December 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 083082619X
• ISBN-13: 978-0830826193
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #908,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Helpful Book for Preaching, May 7, 2009

By 

Jason Sturkie (Donalds, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cross from a Distance: Atonement in Mark's Gospel (New Studies in Biblical Theology) (Paperback)

I have been preaching through the Gospel of Mark verse by verse for the past several months. We will be finishing in two weeks. Peter Bolt's book on the big themes of Mark and their connection to greater issues in biblical theology is quite helpful. I was a little disappointed in the way Bolt set "religion" apart as something problematic that will get in the way of being a true disciple. His reason for doing so was to point out the problems of the religion of Pharisaical Judaism set in juxtaposition to Jesus' teaching in the New Testament. Certainly, "religion" can be abused, but I don't know if the use of the language in this way is helpful. (Note that the Puritans were completely comfortable with describing true discipleship as right and biblical religion.) Besides that, Bolt was quite helpful in laying out the large themes of the Gospel and my only regret is not reading the book earlier in my preaching series. Certainly recommended to pastors and sunday school teachers as a great resource. The book accomplishes what the author set out to do.