Ross Clifford - The Cross Is Not Enough: Living as Witnesses to the Resurrection

2012 by Ross Clifford and Philip Johnson

Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakerbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2011

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

ISBN 978-1-4412-3642-5

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Scripture quotations marked Message are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

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This is not your typical book that approaches Jesus resurrection from an evidential or soteriological angle. Clifford and Johnson argue that, as crucial as it is, the Cross of Christ is not the center of Christianity. Rather, the authors go beyond evidential studies in order to relate Jesus resurrection to a holistic, full-orbed approach to Christian theology, mission, and discipleship, as well as the daily life of the believer. Further, they find echoes of resurrection in many areas of popular culture, including religion, mythology, music, movies, and even comic books. The Spiritual Audit questions after each chapter serve to challenge personal or group reflection. The authors command of popular ideas serves to challenge modern culture, giving this volume a highly distinctive appeal.

Gary R. Habermas , Distinguished Research Professor, Liberty University & Theological Seminary

Have we lost seeing the significance of the resurrection for the Christian? The Cross Is Not Enough argues that we have and then fruitfully walks us through the ways we can think about resurrection. It correctly contends we need to regain an emphasis on the resurrection. Hopefully in doing so, we can see how the resurrection and the cross work together to form the core of Christian hope.

Darrell L. Bock , Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

Christians say that they believe in the cross and the resurrection, but sadly many Christians focus almost exclusively on the cross and regard the resurrection as an appendix that God tacked on to prove that Jesus died for their sins. In this book, Ross Clifford and Philip Johnson show that many Christians are operating with a half-told Easter story. Contrary to popular notions, they explain how the Christian faith is a resurrection faith in the risen Lord. Without the resurrection, Jesuss death is martyrdom not an atonement, without resurrection Jesus is just another dead Jew not the Lord of Glorythe cross derives its meaning and power from the empty tomb. Clifford and Johnson describe what it means to have an authentic resurrection faith that drives theology, missions, spirituality, thinking about culture, and church life. If you want to know what to tell your church on Easter Sunday beyond the annual droning of well, there really is life after death, aint that nice, if you want to know how to be children of the resurrection as Jesus said, then for the love of Martha, read this book!

Dr. Michael F. Bird , author, Are You the One Who Is to Come? The Historical Jesus and the Messianic Question ; lecturer in Theological Studies, Crossway College

Ross Clifford and Philip Johnson live in a land where Christians are a small minority. They have thought long and hard about what it means to bear witness to Jesus Christ when he is little known and less understood. Their reflections on the meaning of the resurrection will be exceedingly helpful to disciples who want to understand their own faith and relate it to a post-Christian culture.

Gerald R. McDermott , Jordan-Trexler Professor of Religion, Roanoke College; author, Gods Rivals: Why Has God Allowed Different Religions? and World Religions: An Indispensable Introduction

Arguing brilliantly for the resurrection to take back its place on center stage, this book carries readers on an exhilarating journey through wonderfully unexpected territory. Immensely practical, with its twelve zones of resurrection living and apologetic concern for skeptics, and grounded solidly in Scripture, it marshals astonishingly wide-ranging evidence for the resurrection in culture. Both skillful practitioners, the authors wear their scholarship lightly and pepper analysis with a wealth of personal stories and audit exercises. I completed this book with fresh conviction and excitement about living the resurrection. I know I shall preach differently now.

Michael Quicke , Charles Koller Professor of Preaching & Communications, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Chicago

Without the resurrection, Jesus death would scarcely have atoned for anyone. So why do treatments of the resurrection focus so little on its theological meaning and practical applications for life in this world? Clifford and Johnson rectify this problem, but they do much more, showing how the resurrection is the answer to the aspirations of proponents of most of the major religions of the world and of much of the current popularity of new spiritualities. From movies to novels to near-death experiences, our authors show amazing command of an array of cultural developments about which all readers, Christians or otherwise, should be concerned. A must-read!

Craig Blomberg , Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary, Colorado

Inspired by faithfulness to the Bible, and informed by a sophisticated understanding of contemporary culture and the spiritual search of our generation, Ross Clifford and Philip Johnson have written a book that is both challenging and empowering for all who are concerned to communicate the heart of the Christian faith to todays people.

John Drane , author, The McDonaldization of the Church and Introducing the New Testament ; fellow of St Johns College, University of Durham

While the title might turn some heads, this book should in fact transform our living. It is a call to responsible and transformational faith flowing out of the hope and reality of the resurrection. Knowing Jesus and believing in Jesus is not enough. The resurrection calls us to believe and live out the practices and values that Jesus and the resurrection point and empower us toward. A powerful addition to the call to discipleship and faithful living as followers of Jesus Christ.

Gary Nelson , president, Tyndale University College and Seminary, Toronto, Canada

Clifford and Johnson are right to want to explore not only how the resurrection has been understood in the past, but why it can contribute to the care and growth of the whole person. A resurrection-centric worldview is concerned not only with proofs of an empty tomb but also with a distinctly Christian form of holism. The church today is ready for a book that sees the resurrection as central to the formulation of a holistic Christian worldview for post-Christendom today.

Knowing Ross Clifford personally, I know that this subject is not merely an intellectual exercise for him. It is something that emerges from his own very holistic worldview. A book by him on this subject wont just be stimulating and ground-breaking, it will crackle with vitality and integrity.