Adding Cross to Crown: The Political Significance of Christ's Passion (Paperback)

by Mark A. Noll (Author), James D. Bratt (Author), Max L. Stackhouse (Author), James W. Skillen (Author), Luis E. Lugo (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Renowned evangelical historian Mark Noll (The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind) turns his attention to the role of theology in politics in this lecture given at the Center for Public Justice at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. Noll assumes politics is a locus of Christian activity, yet one that has led, in his view, to abuses such as the medieval crusades and the contemporary religious right's assertion that the American way of life is a Christian way of life. Noll argues that the contradictions of the cross should temper the confidence of the crown. As a central symbol of suffering and humility, the life and crucifixion of Jesus bring about the glory of redemption through the humble circumstances of the incarnation. The juncture of the universal (Christian truth) and the particular (history) should guide Christians to measure carefully their scriptural resources against the demands of their times, remembering Luther's insight that salvation lies not in human hands but in God's. Included in this slim volume of recent Protestant thinking on faith and politics are three differing perspectives?by Bratt, Stackhouse and Skillen?on the problems and possibilities of Noll's model of cross and crown as the interpretive key to Christian political praxis.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
In a lecture and three responses, Noll and three other Evangelical Christian college professors consider how Christians should be involved in politics as Christians. Noll sees too much emphasis upon "the kingly rule of Christ" the divine lord in present Evangelical Christian political activity, eventuating in an authoritarianism that contradicts the man Jesus' example of compassion and humble service. Noll's respondents take issue with several of his points, Max Stackhouse most impressively when he counters Noll's Christ-centered argument with one based upon an evenly balanced trinitarianism. James W. Skillen gives a good sense of one tenor of the whole discussion when he asserts that "seeking the well-being of others, including that of non-Christians, and protecting the rights of the disadvantaged" are essential to Christian politics, and of another when he counsels that Christians should work for a just society yet acknowledge "that final judgment and resurrection are in Christ's hands." A deep and challenging colloquy. Ray Olson

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Product Details

• Paperback: 95 pages
• Publisher: Baker Pub Group (November 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801057310
• ISBN-13: 978-0801057311
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,659,975 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent structure and reading., January 10, 1998

By A Customer

Adding Cross to Crown is a welcome evaluation of the political machinations around the man we know as Jesus. A more comprehensive though challenging book would be the wonderful "The Autobiography of Jesus of Nazareth and the Missing Years" by Richard G. Patton. In "The Autobiography..." the political scene is central, rather an incidental, to the human personality and extensive training of Jesus. He is portrayed in terms that would be real enough for "Larry King Live". 'Adding Cross to Crown' addresses a different audience, but still unfortunately presents the 'Icon' of Christianity. Having said this, I immensly enjoyed this offering by Mark Knoll et al. and look forward to their next publication.