Christ on Trial: How the Gospel Unsettles Our Judgment

by Rowan Williams

The trial, conviction, and death of an innocent man 2,000 years ago have particular resonance today. Atrocities from around the world shake us nearly every day, and we all experience trials in our own lives too. In this book the former Archbishop of Canterbury looks in depth at the trial of Jesus, using it to teach readers how to face the challenges of life in today's trying times.

Bringing the biblical accounts of Jesus' trial vividly to life, Rowan Williams highlights what can be learned about Jesus from each of the four Gospel portraits. Mark shows a mysterious figure revealed as the Son of God. Matthew describes the Wisdom of God tried by foolish men. Luke presents a divine stranger. John speaks of the paradox of divinity submitting to judgement. These illuminating discussions are followed by a reflection on Christian martyrdom and a meditation on tyranny, freedom, and truth. A set of discussion questions and a thought-provoking prayer after each chapter make Christ on Trial an ideal book for study groups.

Throughout the book Williams draws not only from the Bible but also from fiction, drama, and current events, pointing up ways in which society today continues to put Christ on trial. Even more, he argues that all Christians stand with Jesus before a watching world. Though we may not be directly confronted with death, we are nevertheless called daily to respond to the falsehood of such lures as power, influence, and prestige.

Several words aptly describe this book by Rowan Profound. Incisive. Literary. Contemporary. Relevant. Prophetic. Christ on Trial will move and change those who read it.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Religion, Spirituality, Biblical Studies, Christian

157 pages, Paperback

First published July 11, 2000

About the author

Rowan Douglas Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, is an Anglican bishop, poet, and theologian. He was Archbishop of Canterbury from December 2002-2012, and is now Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and Chancellor of the University of South Wales.

Reviews

[Kiwi Comiendo Kiwi · Rating 4 out of 5]

All around another great delivery by Rowan Williams. Developing on the gospels and their trial narratives, the ex-archbishop of canterbury explores the way human judgement is starkly met with the penetrating silence of Jesus. In Mark, for instance, we see dynamics of power, in Matthew a debate over inclusive and exclusive wisdom, in Luke the voice of the outcasts and in John the question of being at truth. He finalizes with reflections on martyrs, both on the noble ideal of being able to die for truth and on the bizarre fetishization of martyrdom which plagued (and continues to plague) the church, based on the powerful notion that a martyr can never be wrong.

In the pages of this book Williams creates a string of reflections on inequality, disability, politics, war, immigrants and sexuality, shedding light on these issues and how they relate to human judgement and those whom said judgment leaves behind.

[Zak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rowan predictably does bits.

Short book with genuine depth in each chapter. Going through the trial of Jesus sort of but more using each of the gospels as a launch pad to talk about justice, language, identity, etc.

Then an interesting chapter on martyrdom and maybe another but I can't remember.

Very helpful to understand why different writers (Matthew, mark, Luke and John or whoever wrote those books) seem to contradict each other and why that leads to far greater insight and depth. Take that Dawkins.

[RyanG37 · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always with Williams, some excellent insights, some questionable assumptions and statements, and a host of literary quotations.

My primary quibble with this book is that there is not enough actual exegesis of the trial narratives.

There is a lot of analysis of the human heart, but not enough of it seems grounded in the trial scenes (which surely do call us into question).

Williams' reluctance to speak of the ultimate judgement of God also deprives us of an important feature of these narratives.

Overall, a mixed bag

[Barbara Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-organized Lent book, studying accounts of the trial or trials of Jesus in each of the four gospels with their different perspectives, and then two recent angles: one from church history and one from Dostoevsky's Grand Inquisitor. I picked this up when preaching on Luke's gospel, and kept reading.

[Ben Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent little volume looking at each of the Gospel's trial narratives. It seems to me that there is some definite influence from Bonhoeffer here, to good effect. Good, contemplative Lenten reading.

[Cody Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insights into the nature of the trials of Christ throughout the Gospel narratives. Dense with spiritual concepts and challenges.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though provoking review of the canonical gospels and provides a new perspective of what the trial of Jesus Christ means for Christians.

[Margaret R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. I little uneven. Not sure I understand all of it

[Igor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb! One of the simplest (to read), but also deepest books by Williams! A true treasure in explaining what does it mean “to be where Jesus is”.

[Matt King · Rating 5 out of 5]

To put it simply, this book is everything I thought it would be before I picked it up. A very thoughtful, in depth, illuminating analysis of Christ's trial accounts. In addition to the accounts that you expect (from the four Gospel accounts) they also have a section on martyrs and the trial of Christ from "The Grand Inquisitor" (part of the Brothers Karamazov).

As the Brothers K is my favorite novel, I was enthralled to learn midway through reading the book that this was a chapter that was included. However, upon reading the section, it was more of a wrapping up chapter than one that needed multiple readings of "The Grand Inquisitor" to understand (which would have mirrored the other chapters on the Gospels). However, the entire book did deliver, and the sparse details in the last chapter is actually making me more intrigued about his book on Dostoevsky.

Overall, the rest of the chapters were quite well thought out, easy to understand, had short (though still powerful) sections, and most importantly, pushed the reasons (and focus) of the trials back upon the reader, which is exactly what I hoped this book would do.

Lastly, I bought this as a book on my Kindle. Thankfully, they had the references tagged, so that if you hit them, you could go to the index to see what the reference was quickly. In other words, it used the Kindle format to its advantage.

[Benedict · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful little book, which has changed and deepened the way I look at the trial of Jesus in the Gospels. Over and over again, it provided me with clear language for things I've believed through my life, as well as challenges that have taught me about faith. I can't recommend this enough for Christians, and it was particularly strong for me to read it (in its intended time) as a Lenten devotion, and helpful to do so along with a class.

It also struck me as remarkably "Anglican" in a way that I hope will be helpful to others who follow this tradition and occasionally long for a bit more clarity about how to speak some of its greatest strengths.

Five stars for being a cut above many other faith and practice books I've encountered.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant look at the trial scenes in each of the Gospels. While at times this book could be accused of atomism, Rowan Williams does an excellent job at keeping the reader staring into the face of Jesus on trial beyond what feels comfortable. It is here in the long gazing into the arrested Lord that one is able to see more clearly the nature of the Kingdom of God and therefore, also, the ethic to which his followers are called to live out.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a powerful and wonderful little book. It explores the trial of Jesus from the different perspective of the four Gospels and challenges the reader to reflect on their own encounter with "Christ on trial". What does such an encounter tell us about who Jesus was and indeed who we are? Refreshingly and discomfortingly challenges our expectations of life. Highly recommend to any serious thinker - whether a person of faith or an atheist.

[M. Todd Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, bases these reflections for Lent and Holy Week around the trial narratives of the four canonical Gospels. He draws out rich meaning on the themes of sin and judgment. I know I will re-read these reflections on the trial narratives of the Gospels in Holy Weeks to come. Williams is a brilliant theologian whose writing always touches me deeply.

[Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the concept behind the book- a look at each Gospel writer's account of Jesus' trial, drawing out the distinctive themes of each one with application to how we perpetuate those same errant judgments.

Williams is insightful and brilliant at times. However, the book suffers in my opinion from being too vague on many points.

[Sylvia]

Picked this up at The Regulator bookstore in North Carolina. Rowan Williams is the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and is a sturdy theologian, strong thinker and good writer...I always pick his books up. Eddy introd'd me to him...a good find.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowan_Wi...

[Mlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elke keer als ik een boek van Rowan Williams heb gelezen, bekijk ik de wereld en mezelf weer een beetje anders. Ik ben fan.

[Emmielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening, inspiring, comprehensive,..a thoroughly practical book with reflection questions at the end of each chapter.

[Michael King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, challenging, and hopeful. Theology at its deepest and most convicting/gracious.

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful analysis of the gospel accounts of Christ. My favorite book, so far, by Williams.