Aligning hearts and adjusting mindsets, Randolph writes, can allow imperfect believers to "accomplish things in our lives and with our lives that we have not dared to dream of.” In raw, transparent moments he considers his own personal stumbles with his faith due to his traumatic childhood with an abusive father and the ways in which he had to unlearn a worldly view he had developed of Christian life and God's love. Resurrecting the Cross delves deeply into the teachings of Jesus and the meaning of sacrifice and forgiveness. Drawing from scripture, Randolph shares with readers the one simple statement that he argues "summed up the whole gospel": by placing belief in Jesus "you will be saved.”
Resurrecting the Cross is a warm, inviting, and readable study, touched with memoir, even when Randolph digs into complex ideas about free will and the nature of love. Christian readers looking for new insight into the faith and an understanding of God's transcendent love will find nourishment.
Takeaway: Inspirational Christian study of human brokenness and Jesus's sacrifice.
Comparable Titles: R. T. Kendall; F. Remy Diederich’s Starting Over.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: N/A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B+
by Chiwelite Obioma Mgbeoji » 30 Apr 2023, 16:48
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Resurrecting the Cross" by Ernest Randolph.]
5 out of 5 stars
Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He took away guilt. Jesus came to forgive our sins; he came to give us unconditional love. Unconditional love is the kind of love the Spirit births and trains in us when we accept and believe in Jesus Christ. He came to bring us suffering and struggles through which we grow in the love and truth of God.
Resurrecting the Cross is a perfect explanation of what Christ came to do, give, and even take away. This book differentiates between the mosaic law and the love of God. It clearly explains what those laws are and why we shouldn't live by them. It also tells us why we should have faith in Christ to grow with the Spirit so we can inherit righteousness and love one another just as Christ did.
I noticed some commendable aspects of this book. First, Ernest Randolph, who has experienced and witnessed the amazing love of Christ, did an exceptional job with this book. This book explained the unclear teachings I had been given some years back; those teachings were really vague, as we were just told not to live by the law but by the grace given to us by Jesus. But what was this law? What was this grace? These will be answered in this book. The author added anecdotes and allegories that helped explain his points. The story of Stan was written like a parable. It portrayed the evil men and women we see in life. The hardships people, both innocent and bad, go through. The cracks and emptiness force them into going in the other direction and seeking help in the wrong place and in the wrong way.
The author also added personal stories and encounters with his parents, roommates, and others. The story about how he grew up with his parents taught him the need for forgiveness and removing guilt. It was also great that the author did not discriminate against other religions; he went straight to the point and avoided judging them. I liked that the author was able to convince me that one could possibly live a life in Christ and have freedom. Each chapter began with a title and a verse or two from the Bible. This book also had a great introduction, a preface, appendices, and a bibliography.
This is an excellent book and was almost devoid of errors, and I would say it was professionally edited. Therefore, I'll rate this book five out of five stars. I found nothing to dislike about the book.
This book explains something Christians find hard to accept in society, and I would very much recommend they read it and experience the love of God. Other people looking for a clear explanation of the law and grace should also read this book.
******
Resurrecting the Cross
Phenomenal Book!!
Resurrecting the Cross will give you a hope for your overwhelmed life. The author takes the reader step-by-step, room by room and makes it easy to read and understand even for a non-Christian. The real-life examples of the author will witness that God has plans for everyone and this book will teach you how to keep faith in God even amid difficulties.
"Since we are created for a relationship with God, we have a supernatural purpose along with all of the natural circumstances we deal with"
The book is a gift from the God that will remove your uncertainties about Jesus and the cross.
Reviewed by TheBigReads
Ernest Randolph spent 35 years working with youth in formal and informal roles. A graduate of Denver Seminary, he’s led Bible studies and house church for the past six years. Today, Ernest shares his calling to ministry, what happened when he chose between career and ministry, and how writing helped him clarify his faith. Ernest’s book Resurrecting the Cross is his understanding of the work of Christ and why it matters for today. Ernest’s story reminds us that while not everything goes according to our plan, God is always with us still.
Listen to Ernest’s story now!
Stories Ernest shared:
- Growing up in Wyoming
- Being confused by his parents actions as a kid
- Finding Christ at Children’s Evangelism Fellowship
- Feeling called to ministry at camp
- Taking a solo backpacking trip after high school
- Repairing a van to take kids to camp and how God showed up
- Leaving for North Carolina wilderness camp
- Coming back to Colorado and going to seminary
- Choosing between seminary and working as an electrician
- The depth he learned in seminary
- Losing his ministry position and how that affected him
- The wilderness years
- Writing to discover what he himself believes
Great quotes from Ernest:
God does amazing things wherever you are.
When you’re in a church, sometimes you feel obligated to believe things that sometimes just aren’t true.
The meat is that we live by the Spirit.
He came to teach us to endure suffering for the sake of love.
When you understand the way of the cross, it changes your whole mindset.
