The Cross in Christian Ministry By D.A. Carson
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 2003. 137 pages.
The Cross and Christian Ministry: Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians is a valuable book that speaks in practical terms to both the cross and Christian ministry. Those who preach will find much of value in Carson’s fresh and vibrant exposition. His main purpose is to point out how preaching and teaching must self-consciously focus on what is central: the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because The Cross and Christian Ministry is not an epistle-length commentary on 1 Corinthians, Carson chooses all or parts of five chapters (1, 2, 3, 4, 9) that deal primarily with the cross, Christian ministry, and leadership.
Chapter 1, “The Cross and Preaching,” treats 1 Corinthians 1:18 – 2:5 and represents a large percentage of the book. In this section, Carson places special emphasis on what he considers the most important aspect of 1 Corinthians: the message of the cross. Thus he differentiates between Paul’s gospel and manufactured religions or domesticated gods. The most appealing part is Carson’s description of how human wisdom fails to deal with human need. He takes the reader back to the ancient world, detailing how the wise men of Paul’s day were absorbed with self-fulfillment and personal need while the scribes were deeply idolatrous—both in contrast to Paul’s gospel-centered preaching.
Chapter 2, “The Cross and the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:6-16), gives a brief history of subjectivism as it applies to biblical interpretation and provides three explanations of the Holy Spirit’s role in understanding how human beings acquire wisdom. Carson’s treatment is thorough for this brief volume. “The chasm between ‘the world’ and the people of God is unbridgeable, apart from the Spirit of God. It is therefore unbearably tragic when Christians begin to covet the plaudits of this world gone astray” (61).
Chapter 3, “The Cross and Factionalism” (1 Corinthians 3), is an interesting analysis of the developing argument from 1:10 to 4:21, wherein the writer offers a shorter version of what it means to be a carnal Christian. His easy-to-use Greek explanations will help many come to grips with the word sarkinos.
Chapter 4, “The Cross and Christian Leadership” (1 Corinthians 4), is almost preachable as it appears in the book. For instance, Carson structures his exposition using main ideas: (1) Christian leaders must prove faithful to the One who has assigned them their fundamental task (4:1-4); (2) those who follow Christian leaders must recognize that leaders are called to please the Lord Christ—and therefore they must refrain from standing in judgment over them (4:5-7), etc. Especially outstanding is Carson’s treatment of Christian leadership, defined as living in the light of the cross.
Chapter 5, “The Cross and the Christian” (1 Corinthians 9:19-27), is a discussion of freedoms and restraints through Christ. Carson takes ancient meanings and brings them up to date. For example, he explains the significance of circumcision in the first century and then briefly elucidates the concept for modern readers.
I highly recommend this book to all preachers and those who are interested in teaching 1 Corinthians verse by verse.
Dane Boyles, PhD
Pulpit Minister
Leander Church of Christ
Leander, Texas
Mar 24th by admin