In my review of “Jesus and the Undoing of Adam” by C. Baxter Kruger, I find this to be a book that profoundly challenges and reshapes one’s understanding of Jesus and His relationship to the Father. The truths found within its pages are truly life changing. Kruger confronts the Western perception of Jesus and God, urging readers to rethink their theology. He writes:
“What we learn in Jesus Christ is that God is Father, Son, and Spirit. We see this relationship—its wholeness and rightness and goodness, its unity and love and fellowship, and its wrath—lived out in the pages of the New Testament. It is our Christian duty, and the highest of all privileges, to reread the book in this light and to rethink everything in the universe, including what we think we know about God, in sheer faithfulness to the full and final revelation given in Jesus Christ. Anything less is neither Christian nor Evangelical.”
He emphasizes that Jesus Christ is central to everything, stating, “We have grossly underestimated the place of Jesus Christ in the whole scheme of things. Shame on us! He is the alpha and the omega, not a footnote. Jesus Christ does not fit into Adam’s world. Adam fits into Jesus Christ’s world.” This pivotal idea reframes the reader’s understanding of Christianity, placing Jesus at the forefront of all creation and history.
One of the major themes throughout the book is the misconception of God having a split personality, a lie prevalent in Western theology. Kruger challenges this view, asserting that God’s character and intentions have remained unchanged since creation. He writes:
“There are those who want us to believe that on the day Adam fell, God the Father was filled with a bloodthirsty anger that demanded punishment before He would even consider forgiveness. And they want us to believe that when Jesus Christ hung on the cross, the Father’s anger and wrath were poured out upon him, instead of us. But that is to assume that the Father was changed by Adam’s sin, and that His heart is now divided toward His creatures. I say to you, God does not change. Adam’s plunge was met by the same God, and the by same determination to bless, and by the same passionate love that birthed creation in the first place. The Fall of Adam was met by the eternal Word of God. The love of the Father, Son and Spirit is as tireless and unflinching as it is determined and unyielding.”
The focus on Jesus throughout the book forces readers to ask difficult questions about what they believe. He questions traditional beliefs about the purpose of Jesus’ death, writing:
“Why did Jesus Christ die? What happened in his death? Jesus Christ died because the Father would not forsake us, because the Father had a dream for us that He would not abandon, because the love of the Father for us is endless and unflinching. And Jesus died because the only way to get from the Fall of Adam to the right hand of the Father was through the crucifixion of Adamic existence.
Jesus Christ did not go to the cross to change God; he went to the cross to change us. He did not die to appease the Father’s anger or to heal the Father’s divided heart. Jesus Christ went to the cross to call a halt to the Fall and undo it, to convert fallen Adamic existence to his Father, to systematically eliminate our estrangement, so that he could accomplish his Father’s dream for our adoption in his ascension.”
“Jesus and the Undoing of Adam” is a book that demands slow, (in my opinion, very slow), thoughtful reading and reflection. Kruger’s insights encourage readers to confront their preconceived notions about God and Jesus, offering a more profound understanding of their relationship. The book’s transformative potential makes it a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper, more accurate understanding of who God is.
This book is deep, but well worth reading. It forces you to know why you believe what you believe. I highly recommend this book for its ability to provoke thought and inspire a more faithful approach to understanding God’s nature and His relationship with humanity.
Author: C. Baxter Kruger
Release Date: August 9, 2011
Pages: 76
Publisher: Perichoresis Press
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About the Author
C. Baxter Kruger is a renowned theologian, author, and speaker, known for his profound insights into Trinitarian theology. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in theology from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Kruger serves as the Director of Perichoresis, Inc., a global ministry dedicated to promoting the message of the Triune God’s love and grace. His work focuses on the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and its implications for understanding Christian faith and life. In addition to this book, he has written several influential books, including “The Great Dance: The Christian Vision Revisited.” He is also a popular speaker, traveling internationally to share his theological insights. Kruger’s teachings continue to inspire and challenge Christians to rethink their understanding of God’s nature and their relationship with Him.