The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross

I am currently reading Leon Morris’, The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross. In the first chapter Morris is demonstrating that different terms, such as redemption, have a specific meaning. In particular he deals with the idea of “Ransom”. The book’s preface states an important observation.

"When the present writer first began to read seriously on the atonement he discovered that some of the great theological words such as ‘redemption’, ‘propitiation’, and ‘justification’ are often used in such a way which seems to indicate that they mean different things to different people. If we may take redemption, the subject of our opening chapter, as an example, some writers, as we there point out, practically equate it with deliverance; others see in it a reference to a substitutionary transaction; while others use it as a comprehensive term for the whole Christian salvation. For some it has a backward reference, pointing to the satisfaction for sin made on the cross, while for others it is essentially forward looking and gives expression to the liberation from sin’s bondage which enable the believer to live the Christ-like life. There is similar uncertainty and ambiguity attaching to the use of some other terms."

With this in mind, the author sets out to see how the terms are used in both secular Greek and in the Old and New Testaments. In doing so he gathers information that gives a clearer understanding of how the New Testament authors use their terminology.

After much study of the term Ransom in its varying forms Morris states on page 39:

"It seems clear that only special pleading can rid these two passages1 of the thought of a ransoming. In each case we find the price mentioned and an evil condition from which the ransoming has freed us. There is a substitutionary thought, for it is Christ, not the sinners, who has paid the price, so that He is acting in their stead in His redeeming death."

The book is technical and difficult. For those seeking a little more advanced theology and Biblical study, for those who have a passion and love for what Christ has perfectly done for His people, for those who love the doctrines of substitutionary atonement and all that entails, this book is worth the effort.

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1 Mark 10:45 & 1 Peter 1:8 with reference to Titus 2:14