I finished Arthur W. Pink’s The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross yesterday. Insightful only barely begins to describe Pink’s work in this book.
[Rating:4.5/5]
I began reading Pink’s book as part of a Challies.com group reading, referred to as Reading Classics Together. Basically, bloggers and Internet folk get together and read one chapter a week, then get onto the Challies.com blog, or their own blog, and discuss what they found interesting, striking, thought provoking, encouraging, or discouraging, or whatever really. I believe this is the third book they’ve been through together and it’s my second.
For starters, I highly encourage everyone who can to get involved with the next reading, whenever it comes around. While the discussion is valuable, the sense of accountability is useful. Plus, it offers a sense of comradery over the Internet, which is somewhat unusual.
Arthur W. Pink’s The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross is more than a long title. It’s also a detailed and challenging look at the last things Jesus said. The dying savior expended precious breath on the cross and we ought to listen carefully to what he says there.
Pink uses one chapter, and a total of 139 pages, for each of the seven things Jesus said while dying: the word of Forgiveness (Luke 23:34), the word of Salvation (Luke 23:42-43), the word of Affection (John 19:25-27), the word of Anguish (Matthew 27:46), the word of Suffering (John 19:28), the word of Victory (John 19:30) and the word of Contentment (Luke 23:46). Each of the seven chapters is then broken down into seven profound insights (some more than others) on what Jesus said, why he said it, and the far reaching implications for us who hear it.
Pink is a classic writer. No where near as classic as some of our Puritan friends. He lived from the late 1800’s all the way through to the the 1950’s. But a classic writer none the less. Seven Sayings is among the easiest Christian books I’ve read. The words roll off the page into your mind and there’s no confusion about what he’s saying. However, unlike most modern Christian literature, this is worth reading. He doesn’t stay away from theologically important ideas and he never lets Jesus’ words just stay information bouncing around in our heads. He always tries to help guide these things down into our hearts and lives. He’s not always successful, but there’s much to be said for trying.
Pink adhered to a pretty rigid structure in this book. Seven chapters. Seven sub-sections, per chapter. Unfortunately, it seems that because of that there were points made that perhaps aren’t especially relevant. Although an irrelevant point can still be deeply impacting. However, in terms of his immediate goal, it may have been better to leave them out for the sake of staying on topic.
Aside from that one very minor complaint, Seven Sayings was an excellent read. A great companion for meditating on the Work of Christ and its impact on our lives. I recommend anyone and everyone read it.
June 12th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I haven’t heard of this book, but it certainly sounds like an interesting read.
There is so much richness in every word and teaching of Jesus…I imagine that reflection on these last seven things is incredibly faith-building, challenging, and incredible.