Patrick Schreiner is the author of The Ascension of Christ: Recovering a Neglected Doctrine. This book is published by Lexham Press and a part of the Snapshots Series. Michael Bird is the editor of this series.
This post may contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, we may receive a small commission if you purchase through our links. Thank you for supporting this ministry!
The Ascension of Christ: Recovering a Neglected Doctrine
Schreiner’s book is, I’m ashamed to say, the first book that I’ve read specifically on the topic of Christ’s ascension. I am the reason he can have a subtitle that mentions the ascension is neglected. For that reason, I am grateful for this work! The two page introduction had convinced me that this would be a very important work on a very important topic.
I really appreciate how Schreiner included five reasons that the ascension is neglected. He mentions this:
“It might seem as if the Bible speaks little of the ascension. It might appear to be a bad plan. The implications might be unclear. The event may seem abnormal. And the resurrection can subsume the ascension. Yet, the ascension ultimately poses the question of the permanent centrality of Christ. If Christ is gone, is he still fundamental to work on the earth, or are we now simply in the age of the Spirit?”
Patrick Schreiner
It’s because of those reasons (and I’m sure more) that we could all use this book. It will encourage you to treat the doctrine of Christ’s ascension with more gratitude, understanding, and attention. It will likewise better prepare you to to worship the Lord as your think on the marvelous nature of what Christ is doing right now as Prophet, Priest, and King!
Layout and Content
This book comes in at 116 pages. Not only that, but the physical book itself is rather small, so those 116 pages won’t take much time to read through. I love reading 1,000 page theology books, but sometimes these short little books pack such a punch that I can’t help but value them. Schreiner’s is one such book. There are five short chapters, but you are sure to walk away from this book with knowledge that you didn’t have about Christ’s ascension. As a Presbyterian who holds to the Westminster Standards, I read often about Christ’s threefold office of Prophet, Priest, and King. However, I admittedly haven’t made the connection between the munus triplex and Christ’s ascension, and I’m now wondering how I missed it!
In addition to enjoying the brevity of the book and the contents of the book, I also appreciated Schreiner’s writing style. This book is very clear, and the truths are articulated very well. This is a book that I could hand out to any Christian in my church. It’s not just for pastors and theologians (though they will surely enjoy and benefit from it as well). I gladly commend this book to you! Tolle lege, take up and read!
Disclaimer: My thanks to Lexham Press for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Matt became a joyful follower of Jesus at the age of 21. He is very grateful to be a husband to Lindsey, and a father to four boys. He is an ordained minister (teaching elder) in the PCA. He previously served as a pastor of biblical counseling and is currently a corporate chaplain in southern Delaware. Matt received his Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and holds an advanced certification in biblical counseling from the Association of Biblical Counselors. In his free time, he loves playing with his boys, traveling with his wife, and reading (and buying!) books.
Leave a Reply