The Cross Before Me: Reimagining the Way to the Good Life

by Rankin Wilbourne, Brian Gregor

Winner of The Gospel Coalition 2019 Book Award for Popular Theology

In The Cross Before Me , award-winning author Rankin Wilbourne and co-author Brian Gregor offer a provocative perspective on why the cross is God’s wisdom about the way to a good and beautiful life. Drawing on biblical truths, historical writings, and modern examples they ask, “What does the cross have to tell us about the art of living a fully human life? What if the things we’re most afraid of are the pathway to freedom? What if the way of humility and suffering gives us peace in a way our successes never could?”
 
The Cross Before Me is for anyone who wonders what the shape of Jesus’ life has to teach us about finding the life Jesus promises. This unique book helps readers reimagine the good life as they learn to delight in releasing power and embracing the cross as the only path to human flourishing.
 

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Theology, Nonfiction, Faith, Christian Non Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2019

About the author

Rankin Wilbourne (M.Div., Princeton Theological Seminary) is the pastor of Pacific Crossroads Church in Los Angeles. A former commercial banker, Rankin understands the “gap” between the gospel preached on Sunday and the world people face on Monday. Leading a thriving church in a city driven by imagination, he’s concerned with practical theology—drawing connections between what we believe and how we live. Rankin and his wife, Morgen, reside in Los Angeles with their three children.

Reviews

[Kaitlyn Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good read. I felt particularly encouraged by the idea of carrying the cross through the regular and mundane parts of life.

“You too may have to carry that cross, maybe for a long time. But since the cross belongs to Him, you can know that in the end it will lead to more life than you’ve ever known.”

[Thomas Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ties in perfectly with Rankin Wilboune’s first book, Union with Christ. That book taught you how to understand your position with God and this one teaches you how to live it out. Union with Christ is fundamental to or rather the totality to a Christian’s identity and living the cruciform life is the totality of a Christian’s life. One is an orthodoxy the other is an orthopraxy. That being said this book takes core theological truths and presents them in a clear and literary way. This is not a scholarly academic book that flys over the heads of most people yet it is deep and allows the average person to ponder biblical principles pertaining how to live the way of the cross. It focuses on topics that run contrary to our culture such as humility, Christian love, the joy in suffering and so much more. I recommend both books to any and every Christian; however I would stress as they be read in published order with this being the second. Although it may not appear that this was conceived as a sequel to the first, this does seem to be the logical order. Of course, they do not have to be read that way.

[Emma Spence · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good refresher on basic and fundamental truths of the gospel, particularly the centrality of the cross put into beautiful words and images. This book served to encourage, convict, and strengthen me to habitually see the cross as both the instrument for my salvation and the lens through which I approach life. Overall a helpful, readable, joy-giving, convicting, and encouraging book, especially to the reader who might not want to read lofty and academic theological books. Would definitely recommend.

[Kendal Natsis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great insight on the Good and Beautiful life God intends for us to live. Society tells us that being a follower of Jesus is so hard and not worth it- it definitely can be hard, but is more beautiful than anything.
I finished this book with a group of others challenged and encouraged

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Everything important to you, every value and aspiration, every habit, every fear, must no be interpreted in light of the cross.”

“The Cross is God’s strange way. It shows us we have to lose the life we’ve always thought we needed I. Order to find the life we’ve always wanted.”

This book will be a modern classic to be reread, slowly absorbed through prayer, and put into practice.

[Ben K · Rating 4 out of 5]

“In many ways this whole book is an extended reflection on one line from Jesus, ‘Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.’” This is how authors Rankin Wilbourne and Brian Gregor describe their book in the introduction. They succeed in unpacking this idea, that true happiness is found not in selfish pursuits but in the laying down of our lives.

Wilbourne is a pastor writing for those who may not otherwise pick up a book on theology. Gregor is a philosopher. Together, they have produced a resource that is rich in theological insight, yet eminently readable.

After unpacking their thesis, each chapter of the book covers a particular topic, demonstrating how a theology of the cross reshapes how we are to understand them: freedom, love, suffering, glory, living, etc. The chapter on humility was my favorite. It ministered to me in the most uncomfortable of ways.

This book did not contain anything groundbreaking, but it is very well written and speaks a true and eternally relevant message. I would recommend it to Christians and non-Christians alike who want to know how to achieve the “good life.”

[Alan Geygan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book about the way to achieve the good life. It is not a means of accomplishment, but rather a reframing as we look to the cross and the life that Jesus modeled for us. The goal of life isn't success and assets, but rather a closer communion with God. This book walks through the many scenarios of applying this purpose: suffering, love, freedom, glory. I found the book to be very relatable and accessible while I also pushing me significantly. The sources are broad and varied from Nietzsche to scripture as well as Luther, Bonhoeffer and Tom Brady (seriously). I think it's a great book for believers trying to figure out how to take the next step in their faith, especially when things aren't working out the way they planned.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book from Rankin Wilbourne (co-authored wrote with Brian Gregor) and it does not disappoint. I've read Union with Christ twice. This book I kept copious notes, 16 pages.

The whole book is excellent but I really appreciated the practical, how to live a "cruciform life" that was the last part.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

“God, my life is in your sovereign hands, so I leave to your wise disposition whatever you have for me, in life or in death. I am not my own but belong to you, so I do not lean on my own understanding but entrust my future to your gracious disposition.”

I'm so glad I read this book. It was truly an answer to prayer!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Put the Cross in the Right Perspective

Many people, even Christians have misconceptions about the cross. This book pit the cross in the right perspective. Jesus wants is to become new creatures, not just a better version of ourselves. The cross teaches us to let go of everything we believe defines us and embrace Jesus in all his fullness.

[Caleb Nedimyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, biblical, understandable. The good life that all people pursue is laid out in the Bible but is antithetical to the way that the world presents the good life. This book gives a vision for the biblical outworking of the cruciform life God wants Christians to live by the power of the Spirit.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way this book presented a theology of the cross, as opposed to a theology of (personal) glory was clear and transformative.

Probably a reread for me, and I don’t reread very many books because there are too many out there I haven’t read.

[Andy Treece · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Very engaging book on “theology of the cross” and how Christ calls us as disciples to a life of dying to self and taking up our cross in following Him. “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” - Jesus in Matthew 10:39.

[Elías Jiménez · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a pleasure! This book helped me to refresh my idea of cruciform life, though sometimes I felt overwhelmed for the philosophical analogues I think was necessary to show me how the world change the idea of happiness!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful eje opening insight

Yes, eye opening read! He brings the meaning of cross bearing clearly. I must wake up each morning asking God to reveal to me what is that I must crucify for His glory & my benefit to truly be free, happy & full of His peace & joy.

[Darin Mirante]

Great insights scattered throughout. Not as in-depth as I'd hoped (and quote-driven), but found out in acknowledgments that the book was meant to be basic.