Page by page, paragraph by paragraph, Fleming Rutledge’s dynamic work, The Crucifixion, works deeper into my mind and spirit. The work of the cross is being deepened by her incredible research and insight.

“…human justice derives from God’s righteousness.” — Fleming Rutledge, The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ

We have moved from Black History Month to Women’s History Month and I can think of nothing better to do this month than keep working on Fleming Rutledge’s book on the Crucifixion. This is a monumental work and she is a brilliant writer and theologian.

“Optimistic American Christianity resists the notion that the human race, left to itself, will self-destruct. Although the can-do American spirit has taken some hard hits in the twenty-first century, and the future for our nation is not as bright as it was, our politics continue to exhibit a self-righteousness that partners well with religious self-righteousness on both the right and the left… Understanding Sin require us to recognize its power lodged in ourselves.” — Fleming Rutledge, The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ

“The tragedy of human existence, in fact, calls out for rectification… Something is wrong and must be put right. When we feel that in our bones, when we admit that something is wrong not only with the whole human situation in general but also with one’s own self in particular, then God is at work bringing us closer to the cross of Christ.” — Fleming Rutledge, The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ

“In the final analysis, the crucifixion of Christ for the sin of he world reveals that it is not only the victims of oppression and injustice who are in need of God’s deliverance, but also the victimizers. Each of us is capable, under certain circumstances, of being a victimizer…