mgpcpastor's blog

In Captivated, Thabiti Anyabwile bids us behold ‘The Mystery Of Jesus’ Death And Resurrection’.
Originally five sermons, the chapters consider: Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane; his crucifixion travail; his death; the empty grave; and the road to Emmaus.
Though the passages of Scripture selected were familiar, and the narrative situations described in them find expression year after year around Easter time, I found Anyabwile’s treatments fresh, thoughtful and pastoral. The book is concerned with both conveying truth while also emphasising that Jesus’ death and resurrection is not simply a situation to be known, but an event which invites belief and trust. Given the richness and depth of the biblical materials, outside illustrations are used sensitively and to constructive effect.
Captivated is an engaging and insightful guide through the Easter narrative. Those who may not know the detail of the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday will benefit from straightforward explanation of concepts that develop an understanding beyond the ‘what’ into the ‘why’ of Jesus experience. For those who have already studied these texts, a wide range of further biblical references seeks to grow a deeper biblical theological context of the place Good Friday and Easter Sunday hold in God’s redemptive purpose. Study questions provide scope for further exploration of the content or starters for group discussion.
Inquirers, devotional readers, students and pastors looking for a warm and insightful treatment of the purposes of God at work in the Easter narratives are well served to make use of Thabiti Anyabwile’s Captivated as a companion and guide for their explorations into the Bible’s teaching on this central aspect of Christian theology.

The Kindle edition of Captivated upon which this review is based was provided by Cross Focused Reviews as part of a Captivated blog tour. A positive review was not required.