The wondrous cross

Book Review

The wondrous cross

Iain D. Campbell
EP Books, 60 pages, £4.99
ISBN: 978-1-78397-002-5
Star Rating : 4

Nothing should thrill the heart of the Christian more than hearing of the cross of Jesus Christ. Without the cross we have no love of God expressed, no forgiveness of sin offered, no mediator provided, no punitive death for sin, and no resurrection to life.

The cross of Christ is essential. That is the theme of this little book. It is the sum of four sermons preached by Campbell at a communion weekend of the Associated Presbyterian Church in Stornoway.

The author begins by drawing attention to the well known hymn of Isaac Watts, ‘When I survey the wondrous cross’. He uses each hymn verse to illustrate biblical truth. Watts is often referred to as the ‘father of the English hymn’. He was well able to versify wonderful truths of Scripture.

We are also taken through one passage from the Old Testament (Isaiah 42:1) and three from the New Testament (Galatians 6:14; John 19:5; and Luke 7:44-47).

The headings of each sermon are neatly presented in the following way: ‘Surveying the cross’, ‘Sacrificing to the cross’, ‘Suffering of the cross’, and ‘Surrendering to the cross’.

Although holding to exclusive psalmody, Campbell sees the importance and value of written hymns: Watts’ ‘When I survey’ being an example for singing in private and family devotions, even if not public worship.

Each sermon is faithfully preached and easy to follow. Various opinions on the cross of Christ, why he died, and what it means to us, are included. Here is a biblically faithful presentation of God’s wonderful plan for mankind, serving as an effective tool for the evangelism of lost sinners.　

Stephen Holland
Westhoughton