The Ascension is without doubt a doctrine that doesn’t get its due. There has been a smattering of titles recently of which this volume is one of the quality ones. Though Mr. Hastings is a good writer, this one is definitely directed toward academic audiences. Perhaps had it been a bit less so, it would have appealed to a wider audience. Still, the scholarship is stellar and the conclusions solid.

The first chapter is particularly essential to this work. While the title of the chapter talks about why the Ascension matters, this chapter also defines his approach. As he himself says, he is going to view the Ascension through the rubric of glory. He defines his book as a “doxological contemplation”, or as he also says, “to focus on and exalt the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, in his Ascension, and therefore that of the triune God.” That line of thinking will hold together well as you will notice while reading this book.

The rest of the book is just working out this theme. After a quite technical chapter on methodology, he will delve into the glory of Christ’s deity as displayed in the Ascension. I like how he ties together the Incarnation and the Ascension as book ends of Christ’s humanity while defining it as glory concealed, and glory revealed.

Next, he filters this idea of glory through Christ’s roles as prophet, priest, and king. As you likely know, that theme turns up in many biblical theology works. He also sees the Ascension as perfecting the atonement. When he explains the Ascension speaks to the glory of a finished objective atonement, he runs into many theological nuances that are often found in reformed works. As he builds his case, you will see that the Resurrection does not end the story. We need the Ascension that leads us to the present session of Jesus Christ.

Again, this is a major work on the Ascension. The quality of the scholarship is beyond reproach and will address every scholarly concern you are likely to have. This book should provide all your research needs.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.