Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney

Well, over the weekend I read Mahaney's Living the Cross Centered Life. It was a refreshing and enriching read. I won't post a detailed review of it, but I will give you some quotes and main points.

Basically, the work of Christ on the cross is something we should never move away from. The cross does not function merely to get one into heaven, but it serves as an anchor that sustains the entire Christian life. The realities that flow from the cross are the foundation for every Christian act henceforth. This book reflects on the gravity of sin, the fierceness of God's wrath, the justice of God, the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ, the love of God, and reconciliation that occurs as Christians are justified by the imputed righteousness of Christ. From there, Christians are to no longer fear the condemnation of God. They are to live a life of joy knowing that God has welcomed them into fellowship by the work of His Son. As moods come and go, the work of Christ remains the same. As those who have been purchased by His blood, we are to always remember from where we have been rescued and never depart from the mercy and grace God has shown us in making us His own.

Quotes:

"Never be content with your current grasp of the gospel. The gospel is life-permeating, world-altering, universe-changing truth. It has more facets than any diamond. We will never exhaust it's depths" (142).

"How easily we fall into the trap of assuming that we remain justified only so long as there are grounds in our character for justification" (111). (Quote from Sinclair Ferguson)

"Nothing in all creation is more steeped in the miraculous than the fact of your forgiveness and mine" (95)

"A cross-centered life is made up of cross-centered days" (132).

This book is short and sweet, but dense and challenging. It would do anyone good to grab a copy and soak it in. Praise the Lord for sending us the Christ.

Peace.
Comments? Thoughts? Questions?

We Now Return to Your Regularly Scheduled Blog...

Well, the semester at Southern has officially ended, and with some free time and an accumulated book list ready to go, the Booked Blog is currently back on track. I'll try to get a post up soon. For now, here are some books that I read this semester that I would recommend.

The Work of Christ, by Robert Letham was an enjoyable read. Letham is very clear and makes many good points concerning the work of Christ.

"All things--education, politics, business, sports, the arts, family, life, economic conditions such as inflation and unemployment, scientific inquiry, the legal system and so on--are to be seen from the perspective of the creation mediatorship of Jesus Christ. This presents us not just one way of looking at the world. Since he made it, to view the universe from any other perspective will result in distortion." (209)

The Nature of the Atonement, a very helpful read for me. Southern's own Dr. Tom Schreiner contributes the essay arguing for penal substitutionary atonement.

This book is helpful for anyone who wants to define what they believe about the work of Christ.




The Cross of Christ is a must read for...well, everyone. Seriously, no one who is serious about studying the work of Christ can go without this one. What a work it is. Though a beast of a work, COC is pastoral and easy to read. Stott is a gifted writer with much insight into the cross. Go getcha one.






Evangelical Ethics tackles a wealth of topics and critical issues that the church faces today. Ranging from contraceptives and cloning, to euthanasia and environmentalism, J. Davis offers great discussion on the most current issues that every congregation must face sooner or later. With up to date research and statistics, Davis informs and equips the Christian with a sufficient knowledge to take a stand on some complicated issues that abound in our day. Readable and informative.



Aight. Who's next?

Peace.
EP