Book Review: Scandalous

Our entire faith is pinned on the cross and the resurrection of Jesus. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, our faith would be baseless (1 Corinthians 15). Yet Christians often (and perhaps unknowingly) take Jesus’ death and resurrection for granted. We don’t always think deeply enough about what it means and how it impacts our faith and lives. D.A. Carson tackles this subject in his book “Scandalous,” revealing how truly scandalous it is.

Carson walks us through four passages of scripture to reveal how predominant Jesus’ death and resurrection is, both to the Bible and to our understanding of the Christian faith. The author provides great context and insight into the culture of the day, and what crucifixion meant to those who witnessed it. Carson also draws out the many paradoxes that are seen in scripture as the King of the universe is given a criminal’s death. As someone who has been in church my whole life, this book revealed things about Jesus’ death that I never considered, giving new meaning to how I will read the gospel passages this Easter season. The resurrection is not just a Bible story for me to gloss over when I read it today, but actually is critical to my understanding of Jesus and all of scripture.

This book is easy to digest, and provides a great overview of the centrality of the Easter story. While it addresses big themes and questions such as the miracle of the resurrection, how Jesus defeats Satan, and addresses doubt of the resurrection, it does it in a way that is approachable. If you find yourself “going through the motions” of the Christian life, having a hard time connecting with the Lenten/Easter season, or wanting to know more about Jesus’ death and resurrection, I would recommend this book. I found myself more in awe of the way God saves his people through sending his Son to die on the cross and rise again. I will look at the cross anew this Easter season as I reflect on the scandalous grace of our Lord, I hope you’ll read it and do the same.