Proclaiming the Scandal of the Cross: Contemporary Images of the Atonement
Proclaiming the Scandal of the Crossexplores the need  for contextualized atonement theology, offering creative examples of how  the cross can be proclaimed today in culturally relevant and transformative  ways. Mark Baker brings together presentations of the atonement given in a  variety of contexts, from Africa to suburban Los Angeles, from junior high  Sunday school classes to coffee shops. The images and metaphors in these  presentations have been developed by pastors, writers, and theologians,  including Richard B. Hays, C. S. Lewis, Frederica Mathewes-Green, Brian D.  McLaren, Luci Shaw, Rowan Williams, and many more, who are actively working  out just how to make this life-transforming proclamation. These  contributors reveal that Christians should embrace a whole constellation of  perspectives on the atonement, all mutually reinforcing, because the  language of the atonement must at once be metaphorical, pastoral, and  salvific.Learn from these creative examples to proclaim the scandal of  the cross in your own context and profit from the theology of the atonement  as it applies across the whole spectrum of human experience."Imagine  theology of the atonement actually lived out, preached, and debated as an  actual part of life! ReadProclaiming the Scandal of the Crossand  this is what you will find. I couldn't put it down and will recommend it to  my students."--William A. Dyrness, professor of theology and culture,  Fuller Theological Seminary"Perhaps all of us shudder to think how  narrow our earliest understanding of the atonement was. Mark Baker's book  offers us a treasure chest filled with complementary truths presented in  distinct and surprising packages. Each chapter--a gem of poetry, drama,  story, or sermon--is a unique gift to enable us to see with fresh  perspective and greater fullness what God has done for us in Christ at the  cross and empty tomb. This collection is an outstanding contribution to  widen our comprehension and deepen our adoration!"--Marva J. Dawn, author  ofTalking the WalkandThe Sense of the Call; teaching  fellow in spiritual theology, Regent College