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The Cross: One Man. One Tree. One Friday.
Rediscovering the Beautiful, Scandalous Cross of Jesus Christ
The cross is the hinge-point of human history. It is the fulcrum of God’s grand, brilliant, lever--four thousand years in the crafting--that in a single day pried a fallen world from Satan’s grasp. The centrality of the cross is the hallmark of an authentic, life-giving gospel. But today we stand at an intersection, a literal crossroads of history, in which for many, even those with a genuine love for God and His Word, the cross has lost its importance.
In The Cross Rod Parsley takes you deep into the mysterious territories of what the Bible calls “the foolishness of the cross” and the “scandal” of Jesus’s sacrifice to explore the significance of the cross in the unfailing light of Scripture.
It is at the foot of the cross, and there alone, that we can look with wonder upon the raw ferocity of God’s love for us. To accept it and glory in it, this is the only truly rational response. Come along as we rediscover the power, majesty, and beauty of the cross and learn anew how to claim that power for your life.
The cross is the hinge-point of human history. It is the fulcrum of God’s grand, brilliant, lever--four thousand years in the crafting--that in a single day pried a fallen world from Satan’s grasp. The centrality of the cross is the hallmark of an authentic, life-giving gospel. But today we stand at an intersection, a literal crossroads of history, in which for many, even those with a genuine love for God and His Word, the cross has lost its importance.
In The Cross Rod Parsley takes you deep into the mysterious territories of what the Bible calls “the foolishness of the cross” and the “scandal” of Jesus’s sacrifice to explore the significance of the cross in the unfailing light of Scripture.
It is at the foot of the cross, and there alone, that we can look with wonder upon the raw ferocity of God’s love for us. To accept it and glory in it, this is the only truly rational response. Come along as we rediscover the power, majesty, and beauty of the cross and learn anew how to claim that power for your life.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 4, 2023
For a man who didn't finish college and has no formal training in Biblical literacy or the Study of Religion, Rod Parsley writes emotionally stirring prose. Saying nothing of content, the form was exceptional.
Unfortunately, his content can be summarized as "whatever he holds in his mind", regardless of the veracity of the statement. In defending the ability of the symbol of the cross to offend, he says "The boldest of Christ followers may display the ichthus fish but rarely the cross," which is patently untrue as crosses stand erect across the nation, far more so than the icthus, which is reserved for the back of cars and even then fell out of fashion 10 full years before this book was penned. This claim is a minor one, but indicative of the whole where his proofs for varying claims are pulled from thin air and have no basis in reality aside from Parsley's own imagination.
Another example is the claim that "God's sworn enemy has always despised the teaching of the cross above all other messages, for Golgotha was the scene of Satan's complete and final defeat." I'm not interested in discussing the church's continued obsession with the "Lucifer/Satan/Devil" misreading of the Bible, but suffice it to say that even using all the passages normally attributed to the church's modern understanding of "the deceiver", at no point was Golgotha claimed to be the scene of his final defeat.
Later, in a diatribe about a "cross-less generation" and "[the paradox of crosses] seemingly everywhere," he about the hypocrisy of "gyrating pop stars" and athletes adoring their bodies with crosses, saying many "have simply appropriated the sacred symbol has just one more hip affectation." Surely this is true for some, but within the next page, Parsley rails against the art piece Piss Christ, saying "a man submerges a crucifix in urine, snaps a Polaroid, and declares it 'art.' He is celebrated for his courage."
To call this attack disingenuous is putting it mildly, but more over, it's hilariously ironic.
The artist, Andres Serrano, is a devout catholic and Piss Christ is not a Polaroid but is 40in by 60in professional-grade photograph of a small plastic crucifix encased in what at first glance appears to be amber. As only the name suggests, it is actually the artists own urine and the piece is a commentary on the commercialization and subsequent whitewashing of Christian iconography and symbols in modern culture, the exact phenomenon Rod Parsley is railing against. Where the photograph looks as though the crucifix is of high quality, encased in something somewhat precious, it is plastic and piss, worthless, even sacrilegious and without proper context given, could be mistaken for something of value.
Parsley is a gifted writer, but his breadth of knowledge stems only from the party line extending to wherever his imagination take him. This read, while enjoyable and emotional, has to be taken with an entire tablespoon of salt.
Unfortunately, his content can be summarized as "whatever he holds in his mind", regardless of the veracity of the statement. In defending the ability of the symbol of the cross to offend, he says "The boldest of Christ followers may display the ichthus fish but rarely the cross," which is patently untrue as crosses stand erect across the nation, far more so than the icthus, which is reserved for the back of cars and even then fell out of fashion 10 full years before this book was penned. This claim is a minor one, but indicative of the whole where his proofs for varying claims are pulled from thin air and have no basis in reality aside from Parsley's own imagination.
Another example is the claim that "God's sworn enemy has always despised the teaching of the cross above all other messages, for Golgotha was the scene of Satan's complete and final defeat." I'm not interested in discussing the church's continued obsession with the "Lucifer/Satan/Devil" misreading of the Bible, but suffice it to say that even using all the passages normally attributed to the church's modern understanding of "the deceiver", at no point was Golgotha claimed to be the scene of his final defeat.
Later, in a diatribe about a "cross-less generation" and "[the paradox of crosses] seemingly everywhere," he about the hypocrisy of "gyrating pop stars" and athletes adoring their bodies with crosses, saying many "have simply appropriated the sacred symbol has just one more hip affectation." Surely this is true for some, but within the next page, Parsley rails against the art piece Piss Christ, saying "a man submerges a crucifix in urine, snaps a Polaroid, and declares it 'art.' He is celebrated for his courage."
To call this attack disingenuous is putting it mildly, but more over, it's hilariously ironic.
The artist, Andres Serrano, is a devout catholic and Piss Christ is not a Polaroid but is 40in by 60in professional-grade photograph of a small plastic crucifix encased in what at first glance appears to be amber. As only the name suggests, it is actually the artists own urine and the piece is a commentary on the commercialization and subsequent whitewashing of Christian iconography and symbols in modern culture, the exact phenomenon Rod Parsley is railing against. Where the photograph looks as though the crucifix is of high quality, encased in something somewhat precious, it is plastic and piss, worthless, even sacrilegious and without proper context given, could be mistaken for something of value.
Parsley is a gifted writer, but his breadth of knowledge stems only from the party line extending to wherever his imagination take him. This read, while enjoyable and emotional, has to be taken with an entire tablespoon of salt.
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December 1, 2022DNF
April 6, 2023
Rod Parsley is passionate for The Cross of Christ and you will be too when you read this book. Highly recommend.
November 25, 2013
Never have been a fan of Rod Parsley - he always seems mad when he preaches - but this book has made me reconsider. He writes like he preaches, and there is nothing wrong with that other than his over use of adjectives and poetic sentence structuring can get old. Mr. Parsley is a great orator and has a command of the English language and he knows it. What stands out in this book is the author's deep understanding - wisdom - and insight into the Cross and all it stands for. This book reminds Christians of the power of Jesus' death and how today's Christians are making Christianity into a cross-less religion.
August 11, 2016
Awesome read!!
I recommend this book to every believer who may have forgotten the power and sacrifice of Christ and His cross. Every student of apologetics should dive deep into the words printed and embodied in this book. And every person that has unsuccessfully tried to rationalize their belief or unbelief in Christ must read this book. After reading The Cross: One Man. One Tree. One Friday not only am I grateful for Calvary's cross I found a deeper appreciation for the cost.
I recommend this book to every believer who may have forgotten the power and sacrifice of Christ and His cross. Every student of apologetics should dive deep into the words printed and embodied in this book. And every person that has unsuccessfully tried to rationalize their belief or unbelief in Christ must read this book. After reading The Cross: One Man. One Tree. One Friday not only am I grateful for Calvary's cross I found a deeper appreciation for the cost.
August 30, 2016
This book really makes a person think about all that the Cross means and what Jesus truly sacrificed so we could have the gift of salvation. The Passion has always been on of my favorite (though that word doesn't really describe the feeling) because I know that without the Cross, I would be lost. Having a strong imagination, I can "see" what Jesus goes through clearly, and I have always had a hard time watching any crucifixion scene in any movie. Jesus did that for me, and for all of us. How can anyone know that and not love Him?
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November 22, 2013I didn't know what to expect when I began this book, other than I knew that it was a back-to-the-Cross theme. Rod Parsley is very articulate and with a very discriptive narrative of the whys, hows and whos, you are immediately swept into a personal step-back-in-time journey to Golgotha as you go to Calvary with Jesus, witnessing the greatest love story ever told. Later chapters speak of the redemptive finished work of Jesus' obedience to death. A very sobering and humbling narrative.
January 10, 2014
Parsley is concerned as we see crosses disappearing from the American landscape. Even more serious, it is disappearing from our sermons. He has written this book to remind us of the centrality of the cross. This is an excellent book. He explores what happened on earth and the spiritual realm at the crucifixion. He also reminds us of the price paid for our salvation. This is a good book reminding us of the centrality of the cross in the gospel. See my full review at http://bit.ly/KLrC97.
November 10, 2013
AMAZING!! With all of the things that are happening in the world right now, I can't think of a better time for this book to come out. It is, in my opinion, a call back to God!
Mr. Parsley's writing is captivating; allowing the reader a walk with Jesus as he willingly makes the ultimate sacrifice for us all. Highly recommended.
Mr. Parsley's writing is captivating; allowing the reader a walk with Jesus as he willingly makes the ultimate sacrifice for us all. Highly recommended.
December 26, 2019
A multitude of sin
Only if you have been saved and by faith received would you ever want to go back. Those who have now daily picked up their own cross hoping to serve him and all of mankind. Read this book every time you're pressed beyond measure. Jesus Christ is Lord.
Only if you have been saved and by faith received would you ever want to go back. Those who have now daily picked up their own cross hoping to serve him and all of mankind. Read this book every time you're pressed beyond measure. Jesus Christ is Lord.
June 12, 2023
Incredible book that seeks to turn our gaze back to the Cross where it belongs. We have strayed away from the Cross, losing our focus. This book shakes us out of our slumber to awake to the pure, true, unadulterated message of the Cross. Excellent book!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews