A Book Review from Books At a Glance
by Michael D. Mock
The word “crucifixion” tends not to connote monochromatic emotionalism in the mind of any hearer. By this I mean that people hear different things by the word, mean different things by it, and react differently at the hearing of “crucifixion,” but never neutrally. Indeed, they usually have a strong affection for the term, or an equally strong aversion to it. Kroll recognizes this reality, and he tries to maintain the truly horrifying nature of crucifixion and promote the truly hallowed crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, the Son of Man, the One whose crucifixion rightly overshadows all other crucifixions. This book has much to offer the student of history and the Bible, but before identifying these benefits, it is important to make known its pitfalls.
Aesthetically Mixed
This book is aesthetically mixed. By this, I do not mean any defect in the many photos and drawings of ancient artifacts, graffiti, etc., that picture old-time history to the present-day student. I have, instead, two defects in mind, easily remedied for a next printing, if the author and publisher wish to do so. First, there are pictures, photos, or some iconic renditions of Jesus throughout the book. Most notably, the cover shows one author’s rendition of the coronated Christ. For most people, this poses no problem, and I am likely looked at askance for even raising it as a defect. “What’s the big deal?” Christians and non-Christians wonder. But for those who believe the Second Commandment still applies, and that its application touches even on the second Person of the Trinity, it may be a stumbling block. This review is not about to enter into the conversation concerning Scriptural support for or against the use of images of Jesus. However, those who hold to the abiding prohibition of such images would be better served if these images were removed, as they seek to reverence the Son of God, a sub-goal the author clearly has in mind. Second, the book is replete with typographical errors. They are not few and far between. Every part of the book is affected, except for maybe the back matter. There are 322 pages, but 275 make up the author’s content. Of these 275 pages, there are typographical or cosmetic errors on at least 89 pages. This means that 30% of the book is in some sense affected by editorial lapses. More pages may have been affected, but I find this number to be significant and cause for a second edition as soon as possible. Some pages had more than one typo, and the errors were not always of the same kind.
It may be useful to offer some categories or kinds of errors. At times, a period was missing. Sometimes a quote would begin or end without a name attributed to it in the main body. Often, a quote would be given, but no superscripted number would direct the reader to the source. Sometimes, the Greek or the Latin term was incorrect. Still, other times showed misspellings. Sometimes the quotation mark would be facing the wrong direction ( ” instead of “, or vice versa). Sometimes there was a missing space between punctuation and the next sentence. Reasonably, few typos or mistakes are to be expected, especially in a book of almost 300 pages. However, the quantity and consistency of these errors made for regular frustration and distraction. The reader would be better served if the meticulous attention to detail that Kroll clearly paid to the content of the book would have been reflected in the words and punctuation of the book as well.
Scriptural & Historical
As someone who relies on the Word of God for his epistemological principium, his foundation of knowledge, I was immediately curious about how Kroll would approach the Bible in connection with archaeology. I was not disappointed. From the very beginning, Kroll makes it clear that he is operating on the foundational presupposition that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and as such, it should be the guiding truth and ultimate criterion when we study the question of the crucifixion. In his preface, for instance, he wrote that his “default position is to appeal to those ‘men [who] spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit’ (2 Pet. 1:21)” (xii). This foundational belief works itself practically in this way: “biblical evidence will be given precedence” (xiii). I found this refreshing and all the more reason to give credence to what he set out to write. Kroll takes the Bible seriously, so seriously in fact that all other data or investigations will be taken captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).
At the same time, Kroll spends 14 chapters in historical inquiry that does not confine itself exclusively to the Scriptures. Kroll is on a quest for surveying the wondrous cross on which the prince of glory died, and to support his search, he digs deeply into the ancient authors before, during, and after the death of Christ. He shows his love of investigative inquiry and historical-depths plumbing. The entire book is an example of this, of course, but perhaps one that powerfully connects the reader to the Christ is his chapter on how the crucifixion informs us of Jesus’ death (ch. 13). Here Kroll has synthesized all the relevant data, from biblical and extra-biblical sources, to paint the picture of Christ’s road to the cross. He examines, for instance, the Via Dolorosa, and its biblical and historical foundations, and even is not opposed to challenging some of the tradition. This penultimate chapter serves as a kind of climax. Kroll, as it were, is our tour guide as the Son of God journeys from the upper room to Gethsemane, stopping to consider the multifaceted agony of the Savior, slowly moving to the former High Priest, Annas, and his investigation of the Righteous One. Then Kroll walks us over to the late-night meeting of the Sanhedrin, where justice is ignored and rejected, to the mistreatment of the King of the Jews, and off to the early-morning meeting, where truth did not prevail in the courts of human judges. Then from Caiaphas to Pilate, to Herod and back to Pilate, Jesus stood, is tried, is scourged, and ultimately taken to be crucified. This chapter touches both the historian and the heart.
Instructive & Researched
Naturally, since the book highlights the truth revealed in history, another commendable trait of the book is its instructive, well-researched approach. The book is highly instructive, very informative, detailed, and robustly researched. No question remains unasked. Chapters 3 through 12, in particular, are full of engaging topics and questions, along with the hard labor requisite to unearth the joys and truths of history. What was crucifixion like? Was a wooden stake used, or was it a Roman Cross? (Here is a question relevant to those apologetically engaged with the Jehovah’s Witnesses.) Moreover, what did the cross look like? Furthermore, was there anything else on the cross? How was the body positioned? How did the Romans affix the crucified to the cross? How many nails were used, and where were they placed: hands, wrists, forearm? Even before the crucifixion, what was scourging like? Kroll enters the minutia of these and many other questions. One piece of evidence that demonstrates his commitment to the details of truth is found in three chapters: 10-12. In these chapters, Kroll spends 60 pages connecting the crucifixion with archaeology, detailing epigraphic evidence, proof from tombs and ossuaries (or bone boxes), and testimony from ancient gems and jewelry. There really is quite a lot before the student for thoughtful reflection and consideration. Kroll rarely engages in speculation, and when he does, he tells us so, and it is the reasonable piece-work of a historian and student of evidence. Sometimes we may be frustrated by an occasional inconclusive finding of his, but we should be encouraged by his unwillingness to be beholden to dogmatism at the expense of truth.
Personal
In the midst of all the minutia, and engrossed in evidence, it is at times easy to view everything from a distance, quite impersonally. Kroll resists this temptation. One of the favorable features of the book is Kroll’s personal connection to the topic. He strikes a good balance between his own experience and life story and the content of his research. Personal anecdotes find a fitting home throughout the book. And, surprisingly, there is a good sense of humor that is both unexpected and warmly received. Who could have guessed, for instance, that this fine scholar would have connected biblical truth and history to the modern movie, Taken, and that character’s most famous line in the movie? (156). Not I, for sure. The book is personal and even occasionally humorous without being distracting.
Theological & Devotional
Finally, Kroll is careful to connect seemingly impersonal data to sound theological doctrine and devotion. It has often been said, “‘Christ died for sinners’ is history; ‘Christ died for me’ is salvation.” Kroll is not interested in the reader knowing simply the facts about the most horrifying and gruesome act of torture in all of history. Kroll wants us to know its theological import for our lives. There is no literary altar call, no direct “come to Jesus” moments. However, throughout the book, Kroll connects the facts of the matter with the Son of Man. There is a reason he spends an early chapter on “The Worst of All Deaths.” There is a reason why he concludes the book in Chapter 14, “Jesus Has the Last Word,” with Jesus’ Seven Sayings on the cross. There is a reason why he regularly drops in his chapters whole hymns or selected verses of soul-enriching singing. I did not always agree with some of his theological interpretation. For instance, he could have been clearer by what is meant when the Father forsook the Son, and what Kroll means by “broken fellowship does not mean a broken relationship” (266). His theological commentary was light on biblical language like “wrath” and “sin.” Nevertheless, we are not meant to consider the crucifixion coldly, and certainly not with a hostile spirit. Kroll would regularly put before us the crucifixion of the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, as the only way to have eternal life. Even though Kroll’s book, therefore, could use some editing and fine-tuning, it is a highly recommended work that digs deeply into the details of the crucifixion and the delights of salvation in the Crucified Christ. Kroll boasts in nothing but the cross of Christ.
Michael D. Mock