Saving Paradise: How Christianity Traded Love of This World for Crucifixion and Empire - Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Ann Parker

In this book, authors Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Ann Parker argue that Western Christians have abandoned a belief in Paradise's present existence in this world for a religion that focuses on the cross which, in their opinion, represents an affirmation of torture, the abuse of power and the condoning of violence.

But must we reject the truth of Jesus' atoning work on the cross in order to fully embrace the significance of the incarnation and resurrection? Can't all these truths be held in redemptive tension without falling into misguided and abusive theories of atonement? Even more, doesn't the cross evidence that Jesus did more than simply establish paradise, but that he also did something about the very real problem of human sin?

Though the cross, like all sacred truths, is prone to abuse, this is not guaranteed. Crucifixion does not assume the abuse of power or condoning of violence. Rightly understood, it exposes the abuses of power and condoning of violence that leads to such injustice. In other words, it makes plain human sin - personal, institutional, political, systemic, corporate, etc. For my extended evaluation of this book click HERE.