The Cross of Christ (John R. W. Stott)

The Cross of Christ

More than a study of the atonement, this book brings Scripture into living dialogue with Christian theology and the 20th century. What emerges is a pattern for Christian life and worship, hope and mission.

A book that has become a classic study of the center of our faith, Stott’s work is the product of a uniquely gifted pastor, scholar and Christian statesman who devoted himself to this one study for over 40 years. His penetrating insight, charitable scholarship and pastoral warmth are guaranteed to feed both heart and mind.

Endorsements

“Rarely does a volume of theology combine six cardinal virtues, but John Stott’s The Cross of Christ does so magnificently. It says what must be said about the cross; gently but firmly warns against what must not be said; it grounds its judgments in biblical texts, again and again; it builds its arguments so that the main thing is always the main thing; and is written with admirable clarity. So it is cast as to elicit genuine worship and thankfulness from any thoughtful reader. There are not many ‘must read’ books―books that belong on every minister’s shelf, and on the shelves of thoughtful laypersons who want a better grasp of what is central in Scripture. But this is one of them.”

— D. A. Carson, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“John Stott rises grandly to the challenge of the greatest of all themes. All the qualities that we expect of him―biblical precision, thoughtfulness and thoroughness, order and method, moral alertness and the measured tread, balanced judgment and practical passion―are here in fullest evidence. This, more than any book he has written, is his masterpiece.”

— J. I. Packer, Professor of Theology, Regent College and author of Knowing God

More Endorsements

“In our world of war and terror, there is nothing more important to contemplate than the cross of Christ. May Stott’s reflections give us the courage to fight, with all the love within us, the war of the slaughtered Lamb. The cross teaches us there is something worth dying for but nothing worth killing for, that we can conquer evil without mirroring it. So grab this book and get ready to live real good and get beat up real bad. It is the story of our faith.”

— Shane Claiborne, author of The Irresistible Revolution

“I have no hesitation in saying that this is the most enriching theological book I have ever read. I read it slowly and devotionally over a period of several months. It edified and challenged me, thrilled me with the glory of the cross, and equipped me to answer some of the questions non-Christians and skeptics ask about the cross. I am happy that a new thrust is being made to introduce this great book to a new generation of Christians.”

— Ajith Fernando, author, Bible teacher and national director, Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka

Further Endorsements 

“The passion of Paul’s statement, ‘I am determined to know nothing among you but Jesus Christ and him crucified,’ resonates on every page of this classic book on the centrality of the cross. What’s more, Dr. Stott has validated every word with a life spent in servant leadership.”

— Michael Card, Bible teacher and musician

“Biblical, clear and cogent are the words that came to mind on first reading this book. The passing of time has also made it indisputable that this book is a classic which is profound in a way that few evangelical books have been in recent years. It is compelling in its simplicity and comprehensive in its grasp of the way in which God conquers our sin, our rebellion, our ghastly evil through the person of Christ. Here is truth which is true, not just because it works for me, but because it is grounded in the very being and character of God, revealed and authenticated by him, worked out in the very fabric of our history, and therefore it is truth for all time.”

— David F. Wells, Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

“As relevant today as when it first appeared, The Cross of Christ is more than a classic. It restates in our own time the heart of the Christian message. Like John the Baptist, John Stott points us away from the distractions that occupy so much of our energies in order, announcing, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'”

— Michael Horton, professor of theology and apologetics, Westminster Seminary California

About the Author

John R. W. Stott (1921-2011) studied at Trinity College, then Ridley Hall Theological College, at the University of Cambridge.  He was ordained in 1945, and became a curate at All Souls Church in London from 1945-1950. He then served as rector at the same church from 1950-1975, becoming Rector Emeritus in 1975.

Stott also served as chaplain to the Queen from 1959 to 1991. In 1974 he founded Langham Partnership International.  He was one of the principal authors of The Lausanne Covenant that same year. He retired from public ministry in April of 2007 at the age of 86.  Stott never married, regarding the single life as his calling from the Lord.