NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL New Testament interpretations of the death of Christ

by Morna D. Hooker

Convinced that Christ's crucifixion cannot be interpreted in isolation from his resurrection, Morna Hooker here gives a comprehensive and inspiring survey of the New Testament's teaching about the death of Christ. By looking closely at the great variety of images and metaphors employed in the writings of Paul and in Mark, Matthew, Luke-Acts, John, Hebrews, 1 Peter, 1 John, and Revelation, Hooker discusses the different ways in which the authors of the New Testament searched for, and then discovered, meaning in the death and resurrection of Christ. Hooker shows that the concept of substitutionary atonement does not take us far enough in understanding the profound truth, taught especially by Paul, that Christ became what we are in order that we might become what he is. He took his place as one of us and died our death in order that we might be identified with him both in his death and in his resurrection. She also demonstrates in meaningful new ways that the message of the cross - the message that lies at the heart of the gospel - is as relevant, and as disturbing, to the present generation as it was to its first hearers. Provocative, at times even controversial, this volume will be highly stimulating to readers who are prepared to take a fresh look at the New Testament evidence.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Nonfiction, Christian, Religion

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Kendall Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good wide-ranging survey of a big topic. I appreciate how concise Hooker is. It's terribly easy to get lost in the weeds with this sort of thing. She's not a huge fan of substitutionary readings, but I think that she is fairly charitable toward that sort of reading. I also appreciated how she generally does not overplay the differences between NT interpretations of Jesus' death. She recognizes the diversity but also notes where they come together.

[Filip Sekkelsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good and interesting book on the way the different NT authors viewed the cross. The introduction is excellent, reminding us about the absolute scandal and absurdity of the crucified Messiah. The other chapters seemed to me to lean towards summarising the content of the different books rather than analysing them.

[Sam Blades · Rating 4 out of 5]

“In different circumstances, and in a variety of images, men and women spelt out the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection, as they tried to express the significance of their experience of God’s saving power. They did so in ways that are often different, but by no means incompatible; rather they are complementary, for the truth can never be summed up in one image.”

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is a helpful survey if you are want to see how the death of Christ is worked out differently in different NT books. She demonstrates the many facets of the early NT writer's theology, but still maintains the many points of unity. It is helpful for seeing the significance of Christ's death beyond--but not necessarily excluding--subsitutionary atonement.