The Cross of Christ Hardcover – Special Edition, August 31, 2006

John Stott, with precision and palpability, puts forth a comprehensive look at the cross and the substitutionary atonement that it achieved. And this is what Stott argues throughout the course of the whole work; namely, that “the biblical doctrine of atonement is substitutionary from beginning to end.” He achieves this goal, and in doing so, offers not only a theological work that enflames the intellect, but inspires the heart to worship God for the sacrifice and love that he has so graciously demonstrated and effected. Though it is difficult to review such a magnum opus on the topic and reality of the cross, I will seek to review the work in terms of its overall structure, rhetorical prowess, and offer a few minor critiques, or questions for further exploration.Structure of the WorkBefore setting out on his detailed explication of the cross of Christ, Stott sets up the parameters within which he will work: “In developing my theme, I have had in mind the triangle of Scripture, tradition, and the modern world” (17). I hold that in this approach, Stott seeks to be Biblically faithful, traditionally responsible, and culturally sensitive. This approach will be sure to make this a work of lasting influence for the study of Christology and the worship of Christ. This work, presented in four parts, demonstrates a key feature of Stott’s ability to write and sustain a comprehensive and cogent argument. The overall flow of his presentation begins with “Approaching the Cross,” moving to “The Heart of the Cross,” on to “The Achievement of the Cross,” and concluding with “Living Under the Cross.”Within Part I, readers are made aware of the necessity and centrality of the cross. Christ’s death was central to his mission, and it was central to his mission because at the cross he achieved the bloody and messy work of redemption. Stott then moves on to Part II where he will discuss the heart of the cross. At the beginning of Part II, readers can observe our plight in human sinfulness through Stott’s careful biblical exegesis, as well as his treatment of the Church tradition (ie. his engagement with Anselm on p.90). Always keen to provide thorough and biblical definitions for key terms, Stott starts to bolster his position on a satisfaction theory of the atonement that is held in conjunction with the self-substitution of god. Again, in a way that only Stott can, he strikes a nerve when he writes the words on the dual manifestations of substitution. In Part III, I was hard pressed to not type out all of my underlinings and notations—chiefly because Stott was talking about me, a sinner, and the salvation offered to us. I found this Part of the work to preach right through me. And I appreciated Stott’s inclusion of the resurrection alongside the crucifixion in his section on the conquest of evil. And naturally, in Part IV, Stott moves on to the implications that the cross has for those who live under it. And while I did not enjoy all sections in this particular portion of the work, he offers up great contributions for corporate worship, the celebration of the sacraments, and the fellowship within the body. And he concludes his work in a wonderfully encouraging fashion. He acknowledges our sufferings, and magnificently rearticulates our union with Christ: “It is wonderful that we may share in Christ’s sufferings; it is more wonderful still that he shares in ours” (326).Rhetorical ProwessThis work was anything but drudgery. Stott all throughout showcased wonderful narrative leading and retelling of key Biblical events. He also heavily employed rhetorical questions to inductively draw in the reader. This contributed to his overall engaging style and logical progressions. In addition, he employs the use of rich imagery and helpful analogies. I especially enjoyed the imagery that juxtaposed the world and the cross where he writes, “Apathy, selfishness and complacency blossom everywhere in the world except at the cross. There these noxious weeds shrivel and die” (85). But Stott’s rhetorical sophistication does not end with his narrative abilities—they are also expressed in his sophisticated logical orderings and presentations. These would not be possible without his established definitions (ie. imputation, propitiation, substitute, representative, etc.). And he employs these as building blocks for the structuring of his arguments (especially in my favorite section on the images of salvation on pp.166 ff). After he makes these sophisticated and faithful assertions, he is always mindful of the reader and offers his rearticulations that help to prod the reader along.CritiquesI do not have much to offer by way of criticism on this work, but there are a few things that I would have liked to have seen explained more thoroughly. The first area has to deal with the scope of the atonement. I was able to only detect one instance where he alluded to the scope of the atonement, and it needed more explanation: “But the beneficiaries change from ‘us’ to ‘the world’ to show the universal scope of reconciliation…” (196). He could have offered an explanation on his definition of “the world.” However, like Anselm, it could have been an intentional avoidance of addressing for the sake of the overall contribution, but one that I would have liked to have seen nonetheless. There was only one section in the entire volume that I did not care for and it was the section in Part IV that dealt with the state (pp.296-301). It seemed a little forced in this section and seemed to operate out of the presupposition that the state is intrinsically an enemy (by virtue of its placement in the chapter “Loving Our Enemies”). I would love to do some comparative analysis on this point to see if this section was added after the original edition was published. Even in light of these minor critiques, Stott still achieved the goal that he set out to accomplish: he provided a clear and comprehensive look at the cross. This work has marks and elements present that will make it an enduring classic, filled with enough content for the academy as well as the pulpit.

What a nourishing and thoughtful book about the cross. Stott insightfully digs deeper into the reasons for the cross, the implications of Christ’s sacrifice, and it’s impact upon our lives. He writes in a way that is easy to understand and always points to the Savior. He deals with matters of the atonement, why Christ had to pay our debt and to whom, etc. The only negative I found wasn’t with Stott himself, just how language has changed over time. In one of the later chapters, he uses terms that today are associated with liberal thinking and focus on self. But with that aside, I heartily recommend this book. It will take some time to get through, but I believe any Christian who reads this book will marvel more at the sacrifice of Christ.

I just recently finished reading through "The Cross of Christ" by John R.W. Stott. I don't know of any other book, except the Bible, that I can say had such a powerful impact on my mind as well as my heart consistently through the entire work. After every chapter and sometimes after every paragraph I would find myself with tears in my eyes thanking God for my salvation bought through the cross of Christ."The Cross of Christ" is 13 chapters long and about 340 pages. The book is broken up into 4 major sections. Stott deals with 1) Approaching the Cross, 2) The Heart of the Cross, 3) The Achievement of the Cross, and 4) Living Under the Cross. Throughout the book Stott looks long and hard at the Cross. He leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the different theories about the cross, whether it be the nature of the atonement or the problem of evil this book looks unflinchingly at all of them. What I appreciate about Stott's writing is that, while remaining orthodox, he carefully evaluates alternative theories and picks out the best nuggets of truth in them while leaving behind that which is less desirable.In short, I fully recommend this book to anyone who is thinking or has ever thought about the cross. It's that good. I'll close with a quote from Stott on the subject of Why Did Christ Die? In speaking of the role of Judas, Pilate, and the Jewish leadership in the death of Christ Stott writes:We too sacrifice Jesus to our greed like Judas, to our envy like the priests, to our ambition like Pilate. "Where you there when they crucified my Lord?" the old negro spiritual asks. And we must answer, "Yes, we were there." Not as spectators only, but as participants, guilty participants, plotting, scheming, betraying, bargaining and handing him over to be crucified. We may try to wash our hands of responsibility like Pilate. But out attempt will be as futile as his. For there is blood on our hands. Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us (leading us to faith and worship), we have to see it as something done by us (leading us to repentance). Indeed, "only the man who is prepared to own his share in the guilt of the cross," wrote Canon Peter Green, "may claim his share in its grace."

This book goes deep into the various aspects of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Why did He did? What effect should it have on us? The second half of this book is a great Bible study to make sure that we've grasped the lessons being taught by this close examination of the Cross of Jesus Christ.

Really great book!

A truly insightful book. I’m blessed by reading it.

For Christians- if I have to beg you to read a book it would be this.Nothing is more important than "The Cross". And no book (apart from Bible) is more important than this on the subject.

This is a biblical classic, weighty but well worth the effort. Not a light read but full of depth as Stott delves into the wonder of the cross and what Christ did there. Should be on every serious bible readers book shelf.

No words here can adequately express the gratitude for the grace given by God to Stott and for the faithful diligence with which he has executed the mandate to document what is in this book. The Christian world is poorer for having not read and not studied this exposition, and is certainly much richer for having done so.