The Cross From a Distance: Atonement in Mark's Gospel

peter g. bolt d.a. carson

"They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha. . . . And they crucified him. . . . Some women were watching from a distance." (Mark 15:22, 24, 40). At the climax of Mark's Gospel, Jesus of Nazareth is put to death on a Roman cross. The text tells us that, in that lonely hour, a group of women were watching the crucifixion "from a distance." In a sense, they are given a stance toward the cross that we can share. In this exploration of Mark's Gospel, Peter G. Bolt looks at why the cross is so prominent in the narrative, asks what contribution Mark's teaching can make to our understanding of the atonement, and shows how this teaching can inform, correct and enrich our own preaching of the gospel in the contemporary world. This New Studies in Biblical Theogy volume helps us to stand in wonder before the God who has come close to us in the cross of Jesus Christ and to live in hope for the better things to come. Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.

Genres theologychristiannew testamentreference

213 pages, Paperback

First published November 19,2004

Series

New Studies in Biblical Theology

This edition

Format: 213 pages, Paperback
Published: December 9, 2004 by IVP Academic
ISBN: 9780830826193
ASIN: 083082619X
Language: English

About the author

peter g. bolt

Peter G Bolt is the head of New Testament and Greek at Moore College, Sydney. He continues to be fascinated with Jesus, and loves teaching the Gospels. Peter has a PhD from King's College London and has published works on mission, the Gospels, church life, and the afterlife. These interests arise from a great concern to assist people to understand Jesus better, to put their faith in him, and to take their place in Christ's mission as we wait for the coming kingdom.