Reviewed by Brad Bevers
Death By Love: Letters from the Cross is the second book that Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill in Seattle, and Gerry Breshears, professor at Western Seminary, have teamed up to write. The theological foundation and pastoral application of this book make it a modern classic that belongs in every believer's library.
The cross is the most familiar symbol of Christianity, and it stands as the "crux of both the Christian faith and human history." The significance of Jesus' death on the cross has been belittled and attacked throughout the centuries, with one current scholar going so far as to describe it as an act of divine child abuse. Driscoll highlights the glory of the cross instead of minimizing the tragic details of the most significant death in history. Rather than a rejection of God's love for His Son, the cross reveals His love like nothing ever has or will.
Death By Love presents the cross as a "multi-faceted jewel" and focuses on twelve unique applications Christ's death has, including redemption, propitiation, expiation, the gift of righteousness, ransom, and revelation. The definitions of these theological terms and their real-world implications are thoughtfully and faithfully expounded upon, benefitting both the layperson and Biblical scholar.
Our personal misery or depression can often be traced back to not putting the cross and Christ in its proper place. Death By Love communicates the depth of the cross, and it is a great starting point to help us appreciate how Christ's death on the Cross atoned for our sins. The book holds lessons for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the cross and its applications, especially counselors and pastors.
I have read each book that Mark Driscoll has written and have found each to be Christ-centered and valuable. Death By Love is the most heartfelt of his works; Driscoll abstains from his trademark humor and presents one of the most poignant books ever written on the cross. The power of the work accomplished by Christ is so vividly conveyed in the book that it will bring the reader to their knees.
