Why the Cross? Understanding the Shape of the Christian Life

by Donald Senior

The cross is the defining symbol of Christianity. It is by turn misunderstood, misappropriated, venerated, and under-appreciated; absorbing a variety of meanings from the inspiring to the problematic. Inside or outside the church, its over-familiarity is its strength and its weakness, reduced at times to mere branding. Yet within the New Testament scriptures, and the lives of the early Christian communities, 'the cross' represents a multi-faceted theology which grapples with state violence, lament, supernatural healing, self-sacrifice; a life full of fear and mystery. By combing through those writings, we discover a cross which is not a static symbol but an unfinished defining the shape of our own lives, if we dare to let it.

248 pages, Paperback

First published November 18, 2014

About the author

The late Fr. Donald Senior, C.P., was president emeritus and professor of New Testament at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He was a past president of the Catholic Biblical Association and of the Association of Theological Schools of the United States and Canada. He served on the Pontifical Biblical Commission under three popes, most recently Pope Francis. He was one of the leading Catholic biblical scholars and teachers in the English language.