The Crucified King

The kingdom of God and the atonement are two of the most important themes in all Scripture. Tragically, theologians have often either set the two at odds or focused on one to the neglect of the other.

In The Crucified King, Jeremy Treat demonstrates that Scripture presents a mutually enriching relationship between the kingdom and atonement that draws from the story of Israel and culminates in the crucifixion of Christ the king. In short, the kingdom and the cross are held together by the Christ – Israel’s Messiah – who brings God’s reign on earth through his atoning death on the cross. The kingdom is the ultimate goal of the cross, and the cross is the means by which the kingdom comes. Jesus’ death is not the failure of his messianic ministry, nor is it simply the prelude to his royal glory; rather, it is the apex of his kingdom mission. The cross is the throne from which he rules and establishes his kingdom.