Product Description
The Bible implores us to take a long look at Jesus, forcefully beckoning us to “come and see” through profound questions connected with Jesus’ death and resurrection. These questions drive us to consider not just the events themselves but also their meaning as we take a long look beneath the surface and find more of the never-ending treasures of Christ. In Captivated, Thabiti Anyabwile invites you to set aside your early lessons on politeness and stare (yes, do stare) into the mystery of the cross and empty tomb.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
1. Is There No Other Way? (Matthew 26:42)
2. Why Have You Forsaken Me? (Matthew 27:45-46)
3. Where, O Death, Is Your Victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55)
4. Why Do You Look for the Living among the Dead? (Luke 24:5)
5. Do You Know These Things? (Luke 24:17)
Author Thabiti M. Anyabwile is senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands. Pastor Anyabwile and his wife, Kristie, have three children.
“This little book is a wonderful guide for those who would like to ‘stare’ for a while at the meaning of Christ’s suffering and resurrection for His people. It is a great resource both for new believers wanting to learn more about the crucifixion as well as long-time saints who want a fresh perspective on familiar events. Be prepared to understand your Bible better and love Jesus more after reading Captivated!” — Mike McKinley, senior pastor of Sterling Park Baptist Church, Sterling, Virginia, and author of Passion: How Christ’s Final Day Changes Your Every Day
My Thoughts
To begin with – I have never read nor heard anything from Thabiti before now… and many of you who are here because he is the author of this text probably just gasped. As I journeyed through his writings I found that I could sit and “listen” to him all day (whether it be listening audibly or reading his written word in a book). He is very unique and anybody who has spent a great deal of time with him, even if it be in his books, will most likely agree with me when I say what makes him so unique — It seems as though Anyabwile has great difficulty getting through a single sentence without mentioning the Gospel. It is as if every opportunity that he has to write or speak is just soaked in the death and resurrection of his Savior, Jesus. And that is what makes him writing a short book like this so good. It is because he is not trying to be or do anything that he is not. Thabiti is just wrote a short book, asking wonderful questions, and allowing the Scriptures to proclaim the glory of God and the power in the cross and Christ.
I think that the chapter headings and the idea of approaching the cross from the ever-popular questions that he asks is wonderful. We are a generation that wants answers and his attempt to set up the question and respond according to Scripture is fitting. I categorized this in Christian Living but I could also put it in “Academic” or even “Theology” because he deals with some weighty issues.
So, the organization of this book is wonderful. The chapters are short which makes the topics approachable. And the content is easy to read yet thoroughly researched. I would encourage folks to pick up this book for a detailed understanding of Jesus’ death and resurrection — for both the purpose of the cross and the results of the cross. This book is great for new believers and each chapter ends with questions of reflection and digging deeper.
Thanks to CrossFocused Reviews for providing me with a review copy in order to get to know the book and share my opinions unbiasedly.
