A Recommendation

For those of you who like reading or the idea of reading, but don’t have time for a huge book that would take years to read, here is a book for you: Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus by D.A. Carson.

In this small (168 pages) but thorough work, Carson takes a look at the Cross from several interesting perspectives. This is not just another work that takes 200 pages to say Jesus died and rose again. Carson deals with the material like a seasoned scholar (which he is) and a caring pastor (which he is).

Only at a few brief points does the writing get dry and academic, and those times only because of the material he is covering. The majority of the work is written somewhat poetically, with colorful words and descriptions, not to mention catchy chapter titles (I know Andrew will appreciate that).

Here is the table of contents, for those that seem interested:

The Ironies of the Cross: Matthew 27:27-51a

• The Man Who is Mocked as King is King
• The Man Who is Utterly Powerless is Powerful
• The Man Who Can't Save Himself Saves Others
• The Man Who Cries Out in Despair Trusts God

The Center of the Whole Bible: Romans 3:21-26

• Where the Passage Falls in Romans
• What Paul Establishes

The Strange Triumph of a Slaughtered Lamb: Revelation 12

• The Occasion for Satanic Rage
• The Reasons for Satanic Rage
• How Christians Overcome Satanic Rage

A Miracle Full of Surprises: John 11:1-53

• Jesus Receives a Desperate Plea for Help
• Jesus Comes Up Against Devastating Loss
• Jesus Confronts Implacable Death
• Jesus Comes Up Against Moral and Spiritual Death

Doubting the Resurrection of Jesus: John 20:24-31

• The Cry of a Disappointed Skeptic
• The Adoration of an Astonished Skeptic
• The Function of a Converted Skeptic

For those who have never read D.A. Carson, check any of his works out - he's the man. I hope that some of you decide to pick this short book up and enjoy it as much as I did.