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The Cross in Four Words
Sums up the victory of the cross in four words and explores what that means for us. Freedom, forgiveness, justice, and purpose. We long for them in our lives and in the world. The cross delivers them! Yet sometimes we are so familiar with the cross that it loses its impact on us. We forget that Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection are the most important events in human history and our lives. The cross is the fulfillment of God’s salvation plan, promised from the dawn of time. It is central to the Bible, central to our faith, and central to the meaning and purpose of our lives. This foundational book looks at passages from both the Old and New Testaments to sum up the victory of the cross in four freedom, forgiveness, justice, and purpose, and what that means for us personally. Marvel at the cross afresh and be moved to love and serve the Lord Jesus with renewed zeal and joy. This short yet profound book is a very useful discipleship tool. It can be read individually, in pairs, or in small groups.
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2020
26 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Kevin DeYoung
113 books1,237 followersKevin DeYoung is the Senior Pastor at University Reformed Church (RCA) in East Lansing, Michigan, right across the street from Michigan State University.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 28, 2021
Read this little book in one sitting in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. It is SO GOOD. I'd recommend it for people already following Jesus as an exhortation to praise him for the eternal difference Easter makes to us. I'd also recommend it as an explanation of what Christians believe about Jesus cross, death, resurrection and the purpose it gives Christians as a result. Also if you buy another book from The Good Book Company at the minute you get it for a quid. Winner.
November 15, 2021
Un très bon résumé concis des différents aspects du salut en Jésus-Christ (un condensé de La croix de Jésus-Christ de John Stott) :
- la rédemption (liberté) : à partir du livre d'Exode
- le pardon à partir des sacrifices de l'Ancien Testament, en particulier Lévitique 16 sur le jour des expiations
- la justification (la justice : Dieu qui déclare innocents des coupables) : à partir de Romains 3
- le sens (Dieu qui nous sauve pour donner un sens à notre vie, d'aimer notre prochain et de sacrifier nos biens et notre confort pour partager l'Evangile aux autres) : à partir des appels de Jésus à le suivre dans Marc
- la rédemption (liberté) : à partir du livre d'Exode
- le pardon à partir des sacrifices de l'Ancien Testament, en particulier Lévitique 16 sur le jour des expiations
- la justification (la justice : Dieu qui déclare innocents des coupables) : à partir de Romains 3
- le sens (Dieu qui nous sauve pour donner un sens à notre vie, d'aimer notre prochain et de sacrifier nos biens et notre confort pour partager l'Evangile aux autres) : à partir des appels de Jésus à le suivre dans Marc
May 30, 2020
Kevin DeYoung, Richard Coekin, and Yannic Christos-Wahab join forces in their recent book, The Cross in Four Words. With this recent publication, The Good Book Company proves once again how committed they are to putting solid resources into the hands of God’s people.
The Cross in Four Words is a summation of the gospel that is centered around the themes of freedom, forgiveness, justice, and purpose. Each author makes a unique contribution and accurately portrays the gospel by unpacking these crucial words.
The book is not polemical in nature but does defend the veracity of the gospel. Newcomers to the Christian faith would be especially encouraged to pour over these short chapters that exalt God and glory in his gospel.
The Cross in Four Words is a summation of the gospel that is centered around the themes of freedom, forgiveness, justice, and purpose. Each author makes a unique contribution and accurately portrays the gospel by unpacking these crucial words.
The book is not polemical in nature but does defend the veracity of the gospel. Newcomers to the Christian faith would be especially encouraged to pour over these short chapters that exalt God and glory in his gospel.
October 24, 2021
Brilliant reminder of the good news of the cross of Christ in which we find freedom, forgiveness, justice and purpose. Highly recommend reading this short book!
May 2, 2022
Freedom, forgiveness, justice, and purpose.
Short and sweet. A good read before Easter (or anytime).
May 28, 2022
In this book, the various contributing authors describe and analyze the work of the cross under four headings: freedom, forgiveness, justice, and purpose. This enriching consideration of the work of God to free His people from the penalty and bondage of sin, forgive them of their iniquities, justify them, and empower them by the Spirit to proclaim Christ to a world in rebellion is worth anyone’s time and brief effort (less than 100 pages). While there is nothing ground breaking here, this short work regarding Christ and Him Crucified is an excellent reminder of the gospel and various implementations that flow from it.
January 20, 2023
This is a great little book on the work of Christ and its implications for God’s people. The four words used to summarize the cross are freedom, forgiveness, justice, and purpose. In a word, the book biblically describes that those who Christ purchased are free from the bondage to sin, forgiven eternally, are justified because Christ has satisfied the justice of God in His death and resurrection, and are given a Holy Spirit-driven purpose in life to pursue godliness and share the gospel with their fellow man. Great book to giveaway to others, and a great book to help meditate on the glory of what Christ has done.
June 17, 2020
The Cross in Four Words is a simple, compact volume of just 91 pages meant to introduce readers to the core of the Gospel message. Kevin DeYoung, Richard Coekin, and Yannick Christie-Wahab come together for four essays that take readers to the heart of the cross.
Freedom | The Cross in Four Words
The first essay, written by DeYoung, is about redemption. The cross brings freedom. DeYoung spends most of his time talking about the Passover in the Exodus and how it symbolizes the movement from the Israelites from slavery to freedom. In the same way, Christ, out Passover Lamb, moves us from slavery to sin to freedom in Christ. Some of the best points in this essay is how we are freed to worship and how our redemption is meant to change our very identities
Forgiveness | The Cross in Four Words
The second essay, written by Christos-Wahab, focuses on forgiveness. Using the Old Testament Day of Atonement, Christos-Wahab shows readers how Christ fulfills this important ritual. If you’re not aware of this ritual, this will by far be your favorite part of the book. Christos-Wahab is clear that the bloody atonement and ritual of the Day of Atonement is meant to make us uncomfortable. It reminds us that salvation did not come without sacrifice. It’s a clear and powerful picture of Christ’s salvation on the cross.
Justice | The Cross in Four Words
The third essay, written by DeYoung, covers God’s justification of the guilty. I especially appreciated DeYoung’s illustration of the two ways we tend to view sin. He mentions President Trump’s insistence that he has never asked God for forgiveness—an indication that sin isn’t his problem. And then he contrasts that with Obama’s assertion that sin is whatever is a transgression of my personal values—that is, sin is what I define it to be. Obama may have been speaking in a more secular or ecumenical sense, but the overall point is still made: we tend to view sin as someone else’s problem or only our problem. But sin is communal. It affects the community. And God is the standard for determining sin, not us.
Purpose | The Cross in Four Words
The final essay, focusing on purpose, is written by Coekin. This is a natural choice to close out the book, as it gives us a call to action. The cross gives us purpose and directs our mission. His three points: be willing to serve, be willing to suffer, and invest in eternity.
Conclusion
The Cross in Four Words will most appeal to churches wanting to give new believers or seekers introductory material on the Gospel message. The message is clear, foundational, and Gospel. Like all material from The Good Book, it comes from a conservative and Reformed perspective. I found it interesting that, ostensibly about the Cross, the book actually focused more on Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament rituals such as Passover and the Day of Atonement, or prophecy, such as Isaiah 53. I’m fine with that. I believe that most Christians need a better knowledge of how Jesus Christ connects to the Jewish faith, but it isn’t what I was expecting based on the title. Overall, The Cross in Four Words is a pretty standard introduction to the major concepts of salvation.
Freedom | The Cross in Four Words
The first essay, written by DeYoung, is about redemption. The cross brings freedom. DeYoung spends most of his time talking about the Passover in the Exodus and how it symbolizes the movement from the Israelites from slavery to freedom. In the same way, Christ, out Passover Lamb, moves us from slavery to sin to freedom in Christ. Some of the best points in this essay is how we are freed to worship and how our redemption is meant to change our very identities
Forgiveness | The Cross in Four Words
The second essay, written by Christos-Wahab, focuses on forgiveness. Using the Old Testament Day of Atonement, Christos-Wahab shows readers how Christ fulfills this important ritual. If you’re not aware of this ritual, this will by far be your favorite part of the book. Christos-Wahab is clear that the bloody atonement and ritual of the Day of Atonement is meant to make us uncomfortable. It reminds us that salvation did not come without sacrifice. It’s a clear and powerful picture of Christ’s salvation on the cross.
Justice | The Cross in Four Words
The third essay, written by DeYoung, covers God’s justification of the guilty. I especially appreciated DeYoung’s illustration of the two ways we tend to view sin. He mentions President Trump’s insistence that he has never asked God for forgiveness—an indication that sin isn’t his problem. And then he contrasts that with Obama’s assertion that sin is whatever is a transgression of my personal values—that is, sin is what I define it to be. Obama may have been speaking in a more secular or ecumenical sense, but the overall point is still made: we tend to view sin as someone else’s problem or only our problem. But sin is communal. It affects the community. And God is the standard for determining sin, not us.
Purpose | The Cross in Four Words
The final essay, focusing on purpose, is written by Coekin. This is a natural choice to close out the book, as it gives us a call to action. The cross gives us purpose and directs our mission. His three points: be willing to serve, be willing to suffer, and invest in eternity.
Conclusion
The Cross in Four Words will most appeal to churches wanting to give new believers or seekers introductory material on the Gospel message. The message is clear, foundational, and Gospel. Like all material from The Good Book, it comes from a conservative and Reformed perspective. I found it interesting that, ostensibly about the Cross, the book actually focused more on Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament rituals such as Passover and the Day of Atonement, or prophecy, such as Isaiah 53. I’m fine with that. I believe that most Christians need a better knowledge of how Jesus Christ connects to the Jewish faith, but it isn’t what I was expecting based on the title. Overall, The Cross in Four Words is a pretty standard introduction to the major concepts of salvation.
June 2, 2020
Can you tell the Gospel story in a clear and simple way? In The Cross in Four Words, Kevin DeYoung, Richard Coekin, and Yannick Christos-Wahab help you see God’s plan of salvation and enjoy the true freedom, forgiveness, justice, and purpose which we find only at the cross.
The Whole Story
In less than 100 pages, the authors give us a Gospel primer. This book is packed with theology yet kindly approachable. The four words are highlighted in four chapters: (1) Freedom: How God redeems his people, (2) Forgiveness: How God provides propitiation for sin, (3) Justice: How God justifies the guilty, and (4) Purpose: How the cross calls us to mission.
What I appreciate the most about this book is how it takes us back to the beginning of the Bible so we get the whole story. We are reminded of the Exodus and the Passover, and how we can be free from death forever. We are shown the importance of the Day of Atonement and how the sin offering and the scapegoat are crucial to understanding the cross.
Courage and Strength
Justice is necessary for the sins of David, and God’s deliberate plan is foreshadowed in Isaiah 53. In fact, Scripture is used throughout this book to show and explain the truth behind these words. And our purpose is realized when we deny ourself by being willing to serve, and take up our cross by being willing to suffer.
Questions for discussion are included at the end of every chapter. They make this book perfect for group study or personal reflection. The final chapter ends with a call to follow Jesus and invest in eternity. There is a prayer of thanks and for courage and strength.
The Heart of the Christian Faith
The cross of Christ is the heart of the Christian faith. This book helped me see it from a fresh perspective. The words of freedom, forgiveness, justice, and purpose are an excellent way to explain the Gospel story. It’s one worth remembering and repeating through our lives and throughout eternity.
I received a media copy of The Cross in Four Words and this is my honest review.
The Whole Story
In less than 100 pages, the authors give us a Gospel primer. This book is packed with theology yet kindly approachable. The four words are highlighted in four chapters: (1) Freedom: How God redeems his people, (2) Forgiveness: How God provides propitiation for sin, (3) Justice: How God justifies the guilty, and (4) Purpose: How the cross calls us to mission.
What I appreciate the most about this book is how it takes us back to the beginning of the Bible so we get the whole story. We are reminded of the Exodus and the Passover, and how we can be free from death forever. We are shown the importance of the Day of Atonement and how the sin offering and the scapegoat are crucial to understanding the cross.
Courage and Strength
Justice is necessary for the sins of David, and God’s deliberate plan is foreshadowed in Isaiah 53. In fact, Scripture is used throughout this book to show and explain the truth behind these words. And our purpose is realized when we deny ourself by being willing to serve, and take up our cross by being willing to suffer.
Questions for discussion are included at the end of every chapter. They make this book perfect for group study or personal reflection. The final chapter ends with a call to follow Jesus and invest in eternity. There is a prayer of thanks and for courage and strength.
The Heart of the Christian Faith
The cross of Christ is the heart of the Christian faith. This book helped me see it from a fresh perspective. The words of freedom, forgiveness, justice, and purpose are an excellent way to explain the Gospel story. It’s one worth remembering and repeating through our lives and throughout eternity.
I received a media copy of The Cross in Four Words and this is my honest review.
July 3, 2020
As Christian publishers rushes to print books relevant to this trying times, sometimes the real message might get lost. Yes, I praise those publisher for helping churches and ministries with biblical answers and they are doing a good job. However, we almost miss something that is more important than COVID19 or the racial crisis.
The premises of The Cross in Four Words is to show what the cross means in four words which is justice, forgiveness, freedom and purpose. Reading this shows how dynamic the power of the cross to the Christian. You might dismiss that this is a response to the current racial crisis but it is not. I was hoping it is but nevertheless a great excursion to the message of the gospel.
The book draws from the Old Testament on the liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt. As the book progress, it touches the different aspect of salvation such as justification, santification, propitiation etc., I like how they connect it with the reality of the New Testament in Hebrews and other parts of the NT while picking up those theological truths.
So who among the three has the best contribution to the book you might ask? Which author really got the cake of the book? Well we can easily say it's Kevin DeYoung because the familiarity he brings in the table (if you're a book geek and read his books or listen to his sermons). However the truth is all of them did a grest job. So for me all of them had their best in the book. Although they may differ in approach all of those chapters (which seems to converge in one harmonious work. These for me are not stand alone (that you can pick and choose then put down the book) chapters because it is interconnected by the theme amd every author's contributions complement each other.
The Cross in Four Words is a timely book with a timeless message that we need to be reminded over and over. There are lots of things happening in the world for the past months that Christians need to response. Good thing that Good Book Company grounded us to the essentials by releasing this book.
My verdict:
4.5 out of 5
The premises of The Cross in Four Words is to show what the cross means in four words which is justice, forgiveness, freedom and purpose. Reading this shows how dynamic the power of the cross to the Christian. You might dismiss that this is a response to the current racial crisis but it is not. I was hoping it is but nevertheless a great excursion to the message of the gospel.
The book draws from the Old Testament on the liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt. As the book progress, it touches the different aspect of salvation such as justification, santification, propitiation etc., I like how they connect it with the reality of the New Testament in Hebrews and other parts of the NT while picking up those theological truths.
So who among the three has the best contribution to the book you might ask? Which author really got the cake of the book? Well we can easily say it's Kevin DeYoung because the familiarity he brings in the table (if you're a book geek and read his books or listen to his sermons). However the truth is all of them did a grest job. So for me all of them had their best in the book. Although they may differ in approach all of those chapters (which seems to converge in one harmonious work. These for me are not stand alone (that you can pick and choose then put down the book) chapters because it is interconnected by the theme amd every author's contributions complement each other.
The Cross in Four Words is a timely book with a timeless message that we need to be reminded over and over. There are lots of things happening in the world for the past months that Christians need to response. Good thing that Good Book Company grounded us to the essentials by releasing this book.
My verdict:
4.5 out of 5
May 27, 2022
The last chapter of this book makes it worth the read. It’s all good in it’s content, but the last chapter further pushed me out of my nominalism that my faith can fall into without me even realizing, and encouraged me to take up my cross and follow Christ more fully. That alone makes me want to give it to everyone to read! Loved all of it, but especially the chapters by Richard Coekin.
May 18, 2021
Highly recommended for new believer and old. Shows what the cross is, what it accomplished, how it was planned and prophecies about from the beginning and the practical living that flows from it. All written deeply, biblically and clearly and simply for anyone to understand.
April 7, 2022
Short little book taken from four teachings given a few years ago at REVIVE conference. Solid and Biblical. But limited by the size of the book. The DeYoung chapters were my favorites.
Read
October 29, 2022Would be a good book to go through with a new believer. Very clear and applicable.
January 12, 2023
An easy to read introduction to the idea and importance behind a “crucified Christ” and the impact it has, or at least should have, on the way Christians live their lives.
May 28, 2024
Short and to the point- for concepts explanded as they are contained in the cross. Great short book of a teenager or a new Christian.
June 20, 2024
Good. Some parts better than others.
January 1, 2025
Refreshing, devotional gospel thoughts. A great book to end the year on
September 18, 2025
Quick, and helpful expression of the gospel in the light of atonement images from the sacrificial system.
May 17, 2022
Wow, what a powerful book. Each of the four chapters is a compelling reminder of the power of the cross. It opened my eyes afresh to the just mercy that Jesus has shown when he died, and the freedom and purpose he gives us in his resurrection.
January 17, 2022
Last chapter left me in my tracks. First few were okay. The parts Kev DeYoung wrote were very convicting.
March 9, 2024
I enjoyed this. A very short read - 4 chapters.
The first 3 chapters examine Jesus' death through the lens of a key passage from the Old Testament: The Passover, The Day of Atonement, and Isaiah's prophesy in chapter 53. These are warmly and clearly written, easy to follow, and cover lots of important truths with good application that is relevant to life today. The final chapter is a stirring call, using Jesus' words, to live a life of purpose shaped by the cross.
Its greatest strength (shortness) is also its biggest weakness. Some of the important truths it teaches are stated rather than defended.
Still, overall I would recommend the book. Anything that gets you thinking about Jesus' death to save sinners is good for your soul.
The first 3 chapters examine Jesus' death through the lens of a key passage from the Old Testament: The Passover, The Day of Atonement, and Isaiah's prophesy in chapter 53. These are warmly and clearly written, easy to follow, and cover lots of important truths with good application that is relevant to life today. The final chapter is a stirring call, using Jesus' words, to live a life of purpose shaped by the cross.
Its greatest strength (shortness) is also its biggest weakness. Some of the important truths it teaches are stated rather than defended.
Still, overall I would recommend the book. Anything that gets you thinking about Jesus' death to save sinners is good for your soul.
December 30, 2023
Après la Bible ce livre est une véritable pépite concernant la croix en 4 mots : La liberté, le pardon ,la justification et le sens qui nous sont octroyées par le Sacrifice de Jésus Christ. Et également les bénéfices qui découlent de la liberté, du pardon ,et de la justification,le sens par la rédemption de Jésus Christ .
Je recommande à tous de le lire qu'on soit en recherche ou jeunes chrétiens ,et plus avancés dans la foi Chrétienne.
Je recommande à tous de le lire qu'on soit en recherche ou jeunes chrétiens ,et plus avancés dans la foi Chrétienne.
May 6, 2021
Outstanding book about the cross of Christ
This an excellent short book about the cross of Christ and how as followers of Christ we also need to be able to take up our cross daily and follow Him and to be ready to share with others the Gospel and good news of Jesus Christ! I would highly recommend this book if you want to know more about the cross of Christ!
This an excellent short book about the cross of Christ and how as followers of Christ we also need to be able to take up our cross daily and follow Him and to be ready to share with others the Gospel and good news of Jesus Christ! I would highly recommend this book if you want to know more about the cross of Christ!
August 30, 2021
A brilliant encouraging little book
This is a short book that really is worth a read. In four words the authors do a wonderful job of getting to the heart of the gospel. A great book for both the new and old Christian.
This is a short book that really is worth a read. In four words the authors do a wonderful job of getting to the heart of the gospel. A great book for both the new and old Christian.
March 28, 2021
A good read. Recommended!
March 30, 2021
Nothing new here because it is eternally truthful.
Great book, tells it like it is and helps us remember what it is all about. Recommended to anyone and everyone.
Great book, tells it like it is and helps us remember what it is all about. Recommended to anyone and everyone.
April 9, 2021
Simple Gospel Foundation
This short little book is a simple reminder of how powerful the Gospel is & the joy it is to join in Christ salvation work.
This short little book is a simple reminder of how powerful the Gospel is & the joy it is to join in Christ salvation work.
April 10, 2021
Un petit livre mais un impact immense
Liberté , pardon, justice et sens voilà quatre mots dont nous devons constamment nous rappeler que nous soyons jeunes ou moins jeunes dans la foi!
Liberté , pardon, justice et sens voilà quatre mots dont nous devons constamment nous rappeler que nous soyons jeunes ou moins jeunes dans la foi!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews