No Cross, No Christianity: The Truth of the Cross

The Truth of the Cross by R. C. Sproul

Truth of the Cross“Orthodoxy has held for centuries that the cross is an essential of Christianity…If you take away the cross as an atoning act, you take away Christianity.”


In Dr. Sproul’s little book The Truth of the Cross, the author discusses the importance of the atonement to the Christian faith: essentially, without the cross there is no Christianity. In order to understand the need for the atonement, he insists that we really need to understand both the character of God and the nature of sin. As I’ve found with Sproul’s other books, he takes an extremely weighty and significant subject and makes it clear and understandable to the average Christian reader. He explains concepts and terms relevant to the atonement, such as ransom, substitute, redemption, covenant, propitiation, expiation, total depravity, imputation, and others. Continue reading “No Cross, No Christianity: The Truth of the Cross”

He Died on Purpose, for a Purpose, and Accomplished His Mission: 50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die

This time last year I posted this review, and it seems fitting to share it again. John Piper’s book, Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die, is an appropriate recommendation for the Easter season. Christ did not die to make salvation a possibility. He came to die in order to redeem a particular people that His Father gave to Him, and He accomplished what God the Father sent Him to do. It is amazing when we look closely at what this one death achieved!

I'm All Booked

calvaryFifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper

“The passion of Jesus was absolutely unique, and his resurrection from the dead three days later was an act of God to vindicate what his death achieved…The controversy about who killed Jesus is marginal. He chose to die. His Father ordained it. He embraced it.”


 The death of Christ was simultaneously the worst thing that ever happened and the best thing that ever happened. You may have seen (or even have) the bumper sticker that says, “Try Jesus – He died for the opportunity.” Personally, I find that offensive and here’s why: Christ’s death did more than merely make forgiveness from sin POSSIBLE. He accomplished what He came to earth to do, fulfilling the covenant made with His Father before the foundations of the world.

Originally entitled The Passion of Jesus Christ, in this book John Piper lists 50…

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He Died on Purpose, for a Purpose, and Accomplished His Mission: 50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die

calvaryFifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper

“The passion of Jesus was absolutely unique, and his resurrection from the dead three days later was an act of God to vindicate what his death achieved…The controversy about who killed Jesus is marginal. He chose to die. His Father ordained it. He embraced it.”


 The death of Christ was simultaneously the worst thing that ever happened and the best thing that ever happened. You may have seen (or even have) the bumper sticker that says, “Try Jesus – He died for the opportunity.” Personally, I find that offensive and here’s why: Christ’s death did more than merely make forgiveness from sin POSSIBLE. He accomplished what He came to earth to do, fulfilling the covenant made with His Father before the foundations of the world.

Originally entitled The Passion of Jesus Christ, in this book John Piper lists 50 things that Jesus accomplished by His death. This book makes for great daily devotional reading as each chapter is just two pages long and includes several scripture verses. Piper brings out the amazing truth and meaning of Christ’s death, all founded on God’s Word. Continue reading “He Died on Purpose, for a Purpose, and Accomplished His Mission: 50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die”