The Cross Is Not Enough: Living as Witnesses to the Resurrection

by Ross Clifford, Philip Johnson (Contributor)

If Christ had not risen from the dead, if God's plan for redemption had ended at the cross, what would our faith look like? Have we become so fixated on the cross that we have lost an understanding of the centrality of the resurrection? And if we ignore the resurrection, what effect does that have on our worldview, our evangelism, and our Christian practice?

In The Cross Is Not Enough , Ross Clifford and Philip Johnson explore how the resurrection of Christ has been understood in times past and restore this linchpin doctrine to its rightful place as the basis of our hope, our worldview, and the way we live our lives. They compare Christianity's unique understanding of resurrection to other world religions and explore why the resurrection connects so readily with the human psyche.
Pastors, teachers, students, and anyone involved in ministry will benefit from this insightful and engaging treatment of Christianity's most important doctrine.

Genres: Theology

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really helpful in assisting readers in thinking outside the box about how the resurrection impacts various aspects of our culture and even differing personality types. Pushes the envelope in a few places that made me squirm but overall a really solid work.

[Scott Corwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The resurrection is the lynchpin of Christianity." ("Resurrection Theses [#1] for the Third Millenium," p. 275)

Clifford and Johnson build a compelling case for a resurrection-centric worldview as the foundation for an all-encompassing, holistic approach to theology, ethics, missions, and discipleship. I especially appreciate their:

*"back-to-front" theme starting with the "resurrection grid" and then looking backwards beginning with postmodern culture and continuing through to the Hebrew scriptures
*"12 Resurrection Zones of Living" that map out the comprehensive scope of resurrection
*sensitivity to (predominately) postmodern as well as residual modern missional and evangelistic concerns
*insightful analysis of postmodern culture and spirituality
*kingdom of God and discipleship emphases
*holistic, incarnational living in God's world

For me, this book sets right the biblical focus on a life-affirming, world-engaging, cross-incorporating, resurrection-empowered discipleship that has too often been eclipsed by a narrow focus on cross-centered propositionalism.