I wasn’t too sure about C. J. Mayaney’s books only because I have never read any of his material. However, I have only heard good things about his passion for God. So with the many recommendations I received, I picked up a copy of Mahaney’s The Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel The Main Thing.
As the pages began to turn, it became clear that this was a solid work with much applicability today. The book itself is a smaller sized work, containing only 85 pages. The book’s title and subtitle really do summarize Mahaney’s main point; to help fellow believers keep the Gospel the main thing by learning to live life in light of the cross. While I have heard those who criticize this cross-centered view of Christianity (upholding the resurrection instead), I would have to disagree. To emphasize the glories of the cross (as the apostle Paul even did) is to center one’s life on the centerpiece of God’s grace. Since the resurrection is closely knit to the cross, the two subjects dovetail one another in the majestic plan of sovereign God. The emphasis on the cross centered life is illustrated through the apostle Paul’s plea for Timothy to give every ounce of his life’s passion to the Gospel. Mahaney writes on page 9, “As Timothy read, heart pounding, the truth-the key-hit him with piercing clarity. He saw more clearly than ever what Paul had given his life to-and for which Timothy, too, would spend himself.”
So, if you have never read any of C. J. Mahaney’s books, I highly recommend The Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel The Main Thing
for your next bookshelf addition.

 

 

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