AT THE CROSS
Big deals outside the city
By John Benton. Evangelical Press. 128 pages. £6.99
ISBN 978 0 852 347 416
We cannot have too many good books on the Cross. Preachers never experience more sense of opposition and sometimes doubt about the message they are to preach than when they are about to preach on the atoning death of Christ. We can feel that people know its truth already. We may anticipate appearing dull and familiar in what we say, and of people turning off. This is the work of the enemy of souls and the best answer is to preach the Cross in dependence upon our Saviour and his Spirit!
This outstanding book has an initially intriguing cover that is both contemporary and meaningful. Its subtitle, ‘Big deals outside the city’, reflects Hebrews 13.12. While the city of London may boast of its financial deals, the biggest deals are those that gain eternal riches for sinners like us achieved by our Saviour at the Cross. Among those ‘deals’ are forgiveness through penal substitution, being right with God through justification and the gift of imputed righteousness. These truths are dealt with in an apt and contemporary manner, with telling illustrations that many a preacher will want to use.
The book has special relevance in the light of what is known as the New Perspective and gives a brief yet clear explanation of its main tenets and its unhelpful pressures on us to reshape the gospel and distort the apostolic message.
All the chapters are good and that on justification outstanding. They illustrate what the author affirms: ‘The gospel really is the best news in the world. It is God’s music to set our hearts dancing’. They are mentally stimulating and, at the same time, spiritually heart-warming. Surprisingly for a book of this character it is a very easy read. If we know people who struggle to come to Christian faith because they find it difficult to come to terms with the Cross and all that it means, then this is a book for them.
Happy the church that has a pastor who preaches so clearly on the fundamentals of the faith and happy the pastor who has a congregation that will devour a book like this! I cannot recommend it too highly!
