Sam Wells reflects on the challenges to our understanding of Christ's crucifixion that arise today. Discussing six biblical stories, he affirms that, in the face of these challenges, the cross has an enduring power to shape how we live.

Samuel Wells

Cover

Title

Dedication

Introduction

1 Story

2 Trust

3 Life

4 Purpose

5 Power

6 Love

7 Story

Copyright

Sam Wells reflects on the challenges to our understanding of Christ''s crucifixion that arise today. Discussing six biblical stories, he affirms that, in the face of these challenges, the cross has an enduring power to shape how we live.

Sam Wells reflects on the challenges to our understanding of Christ's crucifixion that arise today. Exploring contemporary ideas in history, biblical studies and philosophy, he reflects on six biblical stories and discovers that in the face of these challenges, the cross has an enduring power to shape how we live.

Sam Wells reflects on the challenges to our understanding of Christ's crucifixion that arise today. Exploring contemporary ideas in history, biblical studies and philosophy, he asks: - Does the possibility that elements of the story did not actually happen leave our Christian heritage hanging by thread? - Does the history of persecution that flowed from the classical belief that the Jews were responsible for Jesus' death leave our morality hanging by a thread? - Does the improbability of one event having significance for everything, everywhere for all time leave our faith hanging by a thread? Sam Wells reflects on six biblical stories and discovers that in the face of these challenges, the cross has an enduring power to shape how we live, how we relate to one another and how we allow ourselves to become enfolded in God's story.

'These are \[...\] searching reflections that challenge superficial thinking, and at their best when they help us to feel afresh the shock and sheer subversiveness of the cross. Wells has a gift for using simple language to make us look at familiar ideas in a new way. \[...\] Hanging by a Thread would be excellent for individual slow reading during Lent, and its chapters could lend themselves to group consideration.' -- Philip Welsh Church Times

Samuel Wells is Vicar of St Martin in the Fields and the author of numerous books, including What Anglicans Believe and Learning to Dream Again. He is a frequent broadcaster on BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day slot where his thoughtful reflections have earned him a reputation as a national Christian voice.

• A exploration of what lies at the very heart of Christianity and its power to challenge and shape our faith today. • Sam Wells is an increasingly important voice in the church and in the media today. • An accessible theology of the cross as well as rich reading for Lent and an excellent resource for preaching during Holy Week.

Hanging by a Thread revisits the harrowing story at the very heart of Christianity. Samuel Wells considers the risk, cost and suffering of the cross in the light of six key contemporary concerns: the reliability of history, the fragility of trust, the fact of mortality, the search for meaning, the nature of power, and the character of love. Recognizing that the cross leaves our easy assumptions and tidy answers by a thread, he paints a picture of a God who, despite danger and disgrace, regardless of how much we deny and reject, gives everything to be with us. This is a profound, moving and inspiring vision of the central event of the Christian faith.

An in-depth look at the Cross for the 21st century, Samuel Well's book examines recent ideas in the light of the Cross.

'These are \[...\] searching reflections that challenge superficial thinking, and at their best when they help us to feel afresh the shock and sheer subversiveness of the cross. Wells has a gift for using simple language to make us look at familiar ideas in a new way. \[...\] Hanging by a Thread would be excellent for individual slow reading during Lent, and its chapters could lend themselves to group consideration.'

\["Looking for a Lent book relevant to today?","This book looks at the Cross, and explores how we see it today","You'll discover how the Cross can still shape lives today"\]

Hanging by a Thread

Navigation Bar

Header Default

Download the Christian360 App to read eBooks and listen to Audiobooks bought at Christian360

Hanging by a Thread

Description

Sam Wells reflects on the challenges to our understanding of Christ''s crucifixion that arise today. Discussing six biblical stories, he affirms that, in the face of these challenges, the cross has an enduring power to shape how we live.

Need support?

Customer reviews

Download the App

Download the App