Book Review - Stranger on the Road to Emmaus

Good Tool for Understanding the Bible

Stranger on the Road to Emmaus

Overall Reaction

I really appreciate John Cross’s book. I am a pastor who cares very much about people reading and understanding the message of Scripture, and this book is a gift to the church (literally, it’s free on Kindle!). The author presents an overview of the Bible and how its message points to Jesus, using Jesus’ encounter with two disciples on the Road to Emmaus as a springboard for its contents. It is a very unassuming work, not trying to be anything amazing but seeking to give a simple, clear presentation of the Bible to anyone willing to read it with an open mind.

Good Things about this Book

1. It gives a chronological, well-organized overview of the Bible

The chapters cover main themes and are broken down into sub-themes in a way that makes sense and helps to fit the big picture together.

2. It does not get bogged down with a lot of theological debate

This is good for a book that is trying to give the overall message of Scripture. It is, on the whole, trying to let the Scripture speak for itself.

3. It is written on an understandable, non-technical level

This is very important for people who do not know much about the Bible or Christianity. The author does a great job of writing to everyday people (obviously, he picked this up well from ministering in another culture where the message had to be adapted).

4. It presents the story of the Bible

This idea is becoming more popular today (as seen in various Christian products using the word “story”), but it is helpful because it helps present a metanarrative by which to view life. It also keeps the Christian message from coming across as some mere abstract propositions. It shows that God has worked and is working in real life.

5. It presents the gospel (the good news of Jesus Christ)

This is the most important “good thing” about this book. It spells out why Jesus came and what He accomplished. It presents essential teaching on the gospel by giving the contextual basis for Jesus’ coming and work on the cross, which is much-needed in an increasingly biblically illiterate society. Not only does the author present the work of Jesus, he personally calls on the reader to place his or her faith in Christ, following the pattern of the first proclaimers of the gospel.

Uses for This Book

1. Personal reading as an introduction to the Bible

Perhaps you are not familiar with the overall teaching of the Bible and how everything fits together. This book gives the clothesline (as the author would say) on which to hang the truths of Scripture.

2. Group Bible study

This book is designed to be read as a group. I have the interactive edition, which contains a DVD with on-location in the Holy Land video footage, portions of John Cross’s live teaching with his use of visuals (really good), and some commentary from a man and woman (my least favorite part). There is also a DVD set available to be used with group study, which some will find very useful.

3. Giving away to unbelievers

It could be given to someone in order to explain Christian beliefs.  The Kindle version is free, making it even more accessible to be distributed widely.