The Work of Christ

In The Work of Christ, John S. Hammett and Charles L. Quarles examine Christ’s service for his people, especially his atoning work on the cross.

The first half of The Work of Christ offers a biblical theology of the atoning work of Christ, from the Pentateuch to the Prophets to the writings of the New Testament. By meticulously examining these cornerstones in Scripture, the authors help readers grasp the full magnitude and significance of Christ’s sacrifice for humanity.

While the first half of The Work of Christ unearths the biblical roots of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, the second half approaches the theology behind the work of Christ systematically, guiding readers to understand how the church has grappled with the atonement through the ages. This section details the work of Christ before the incarnation, in his earthly life and ministry, and on the cross. The authors examine the multifaceted nature of the cross, exploring not just the traditional penal substitutionary view (where Jesus takes our punishment), but also criticisms and alternative perspectives on atonement and its reach. The volume concludes by examining the work of Christ after the cross, from his resurrection to his work still to come in his return.

Equipped with a deeper understanding of Christ’s work, readers will be empowered to live a life that reflects the profound impact of the Savior’s sacrifice.

Recognizing that faithful theological study is an integrative task, the Theology for the People of God series uniquely combines biblical and systematic theology in dialogue with historical theology and with application to church and life. This series addresses classic doctrines of systematic theology and other relevant topics, pairing careful scholarship with the practical understanding that theology finds its focus within the context of the church. Together, the series’ authors guide readers in developing a theologically informed way of seeing the world, a Christlike response to life, and Christian motivation for ministry.

John S. Hammett (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is retired senior professor of systematic theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Charles L. Quarles (PhD, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary) is research professor of New Testament and biblical theology, the Charles Page Chair of Biblical Theology, the director of the Caskey Center for Biblical Text and Translation, and senior research fellow for New Testament at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.