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A review by otisrobertson
The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ by Fleming Rutledge
4.0
Overall, this is a remarkably helpful book.
The guiding principle of the book is that the competing "theories" of atonement–of what happens at the crucifixion–are neither competitors nor theories. Rather, they are complementary, interconnected images and facets of a divine mystery at work to overcome Sin, Satan, and Death. This is a decided strength of the book.
Rutledge is Episcopalian and writes primarily to a mainline audience. I realize that makes me not the primary demographic for her audience, and I filter accordingly. All the same, it's frustrating how often she feels the need to prove her liberal (theologically, not politically) credibility. For example, she often makes it a point to note the late/liberal view of the Scriptures' authorship (and implicitly rejecting inspiration and infallibility). Yet she even comments at one point that it has no bearing on the point she's making at the time.
That said, to her credit, she also rebukes the mainline churches for neglecting the Bible and the riches of the Scriptures' truths. I'm sure her intended mainline audience may be equally as frustrated (for diametrically opposed reasons) as I.
Frustrations aside, I highlighted the crud out of this book. It's a beautiful and powerful "surveying of the wondrous cross."
The guiding principle of the book is that the competing "theories" of atonement–of what happens at the crucifixion–are neither competitors nor theories. Rather, they are complementary, interconnected images and facets of a divine mystery at work to overcome Sin, Satan, and Death. This is a decided strength of the book.
Rutledge is Episcopalian and writes primarily to a mainline audience. I realize that makes me not the primary demographic for her audience, and I filter accordingly. All the same, it's frustrating how often she feels the need to prove her liberal (theologically, not politically) credibility. For example, she often makes it a point to note the late/liberal view of the Scriptures' authorship (and implicitly rejecting inspiration and infallibility). Yet she even comments at one point that it has no bearing on the point she's making at the time.
That said, to her credit, she also rebukes the mainline churches for neglecting the Bible and the riches of the Scriptures' truths. I'm sure her intended mainline audience may be equally as frustrated (for diametrically opposed reasons) as I.
Frustrations aside, I highlighted the crud out of this book. It's a beautiful and powerful "surveying of the wondrous cross."