The Word of the Cross in a World of Glory

A powerful book; an emotional book; a challenging book; a deeply Scriptural book; an invitational book; a truthful book. As I read your book today, it got me thinking... I'm thinking of the impact of one month in Malawi, Africa with our companion synod. Sixth poorest country in the world, yet the people who showed me hospitality had hearts far more generous and glad than I'm accustomed to encountering. "We have all the time God gives us," was their response to living as subsistence farmers, who might often spend all day Sunday getting to and from worship, carrying their Bibles for miles. They are the people you lift up in your book, and they have so much to teach me. I'm thinking of a Select Multi-Media DVD titled "Luther's Legacy for Laity." Your chapter on the Reformation, narrated by Hans and Marie, would serve very well as a companion piece with David Lose and Tim Wengert's presentations on the ultimate vulnerability of Jesus in the manger and the cross. What does it mean for us, as little Christs, to follow his example of being vulnerable for the neighbor. If Christ has come down, then we don't have to spend our life trying to climb up to God. That leaves us with a lot of free time on our hands...what might God have us do with it? I'm going to recommend to the ELCA network of resource center directors that they encourage congregations to use your book and that DVD together in their small group studies. I'm thinking how your own story is one that resonates with my work with Dr. David Anderson and Dr. Paul Hill of the Youth and Family Institute. How can we, as this generation of faithful parents, embody Christ's way, in a way that is transparent and persuasive for our children? I'm thinking that this little book is a must read for any book club that wants to take seriously our calling in the world. Thanks Phil for taking the time to write it. Greg Kaufmann

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Although it is short enough to read in one sitting, it contains enough valuable information for volumes. Ruge-Jones does a fantastic job of weaving life stories with Biblical accounts, all of which lead to his final conclusion chapter that helps the reader to tie the theme together. This book is not about overly complicated theological jargon, but about how to apply the theology of the cross to our lives and our world. It has already changed the way I view my life, and I cannot wait to see how else it plays out for me.

This book is a gem! I've already quoted it in sermons. Ruge-Jones cuts to the chase and gets at the heart of the Christian faith: a claim that looks like madness in the eyes of a world that worships power and success. Creatively and clearly, the author tells stories of real people, past and present, to show the intersection of the `word of the cross' and the world to which it speaks. What does the word of the cross do to those who hear it? What does the way of the cross look like in the lives of people who are changed by it? Both challenging and comforting, the book is a refreshing piece. I've found that it's too easy even as a church leader to forget the strange power of the cross. Ruge-Jones reminds us that we don't need to look far to see and touch suffering, that the cross speaks to real life, and that its transformative power is deep. It's an urgent word in any time or place. The book is a simple and short read - it could easily be used in small group discussion and study. It would make a great Lenten study. And I agree with the other reviewers that this is a book to read more than once.

Theology of the Cross is a foundational and simple concept to understand, but most writings make it complicated and difficult to grasp. Philip Ruge-Jones has put the theology of the cross into language that is both challenging and inspiring. By using his storytelling skills, Mr. Ruge-Jones brings us into the story of Jesus Christ and helps us to see how we are part of that story. Though it is easy to read, this isn't a book full of warm fuzzies. We see through his own example the life Christ calls us to live -- buried with the cross and sharing Jesus' mission among the lowly and suffering people of this world. This is a book to be read more than once and shared with everyone, especially in this world where the theology of Glory is so prevalent.

I found this book concise and easy to read. I appreciated the different methods Ruge-Jones used in each section, such as personal narrative, a dialogue between two fictional characters, and other anecdotes to best illustrate various points. While the nature of this text is too short to delve too deeply into the topics covered, it gives a good basis on several important issues, such as how the power of God is present in the weak and broken places, so that deeper discussion can happen in reflection, which I believe is a goal of the Lutheran Voices series. The reader can tell that Ruge-Jones is passionate about the topic and speaks from the heart, and doesn't just offer the easy answer. Overall an excellent read, highly recommended to be read more than once.