Making Sense of the Cross Participant Book

Anyone, Christian or just curious, who is dissatisfied with that they have been told about "why Jesus had to die" will find this book useful. Instead of one definitive answer, the author discusses several ways Christians over the centuries have tried to make sense of Jesus' death, influenced both by the Bible and by the issues of their own time periods. He examines the strengths and weaknesses of each theory in light of several benchmark questions, such as "What does this viewpoint tell us about God?" and "What does this viewpoint say about the lives of Christians?" We used this book as the starting point for a series of interdenominational adult classes, and it worked very well for that.There have probably been whole libraries written on the question of "What does Jesus' death mean?" For convenience, the author has grouped the explanations into three broad categories. That means he makes some large oversimplifications in places. Interested readers will probably want to read more about their favorite topics.At first, I found the two-voice-conversation style of writing distracting and overly cutesy. After reading the book, I feel that it did work well, especially for setting a tone that respects a wide range of viewpoints, and acknowledges that readers come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Every person in the conversation has something to contribute; each "theory of atonement" says something valuable; no one theory contains the whole truth.

This book was used with a Bible study group. The history of how the Cross was viewed over time was informative. The format of the book was hard to follow at times.

We Christians hold the cross with deep reverence. And yet, if asked, most of us have difficulty articulating why. Professor Lose’s work will help any and all of us so struggling find most needed support.

David Lose is gifted in finding language that shares complex ideas in easy-to-understand ways. Making Sense of the Cross continues in this manner. He looks at the views of the cross from the gospel writer's perspectives and shows how context influenced each writer's content. He also traces historical views of the cross and helps the reader explore his or her own understanding. Well worth the read-- even better if you can read with friends and discuss.

Conversational discussion of the meaning of the cross. What does the cross mean for us as followers of Jesus? It’s up to the reader to decide what makes the most sense to them.

Unique presentation. What a great way to introduce Theology of the Cross. Will definitely read more of Dr Lose.

Interesting way of conveying information that can be very detailed. This book takes you into a conversation and is not intimidating for the lay reader. I feel like I am understanding the Bible SO much more from reading this book. Concepts that were never there for me before are now clear.

I used the book, the workbook and the DVD for a congregational Lenten study. The material is well organized and while it is easily understood the participants were challanged to expand their ideas about God and the work of the cross. I also appreciate that the material is written so that the it informs but does not "dumb down" for particpants, rather it respects their thought process and encourages conversation.