The Glory of the Ascension: Celebrating a Doctrine for the Life of the Church

In his detailed, scholarly exploration of Jesus’ ascension into heaven, author and theologian Ross Hastings points out the need for such a study, given, what he claims, is “the relative infrequence of reference to ascension in the academy and the pulpit.” However, the dearth of attention focused on the ascension is not the motivating factor in Hasting’s investigation. Rather, his goal is to describe “the sheer glory of the ascension and of the ascended Lord so that readers may be wooed into worship and find themselves entering into their life in the ascended Son.”

Through exploring Scripture and the writings of church fathers and other biblical scholars, Hastings shows how the glory of the ascended Jesus is expressed at his coronation; in the priestly, kingly, and prophetic ministry he took up in heaven; in his role as reigning King over the cosmos at the right hand of the Father; in his formation of a new humanity; in his leading the church in worship and prayer; in his intercession for the needs of the suffering world; and more.

While Hastings acknowledges the academic nature of his book, in other words implying that lay people might not be drawn to reading it, his goal is not just to educate and expand the horizons of other scholars like himself. Rather, he hopes that pastors and scholars will share what they learned from The Glory of the Ascension and that it will radiate into the life of the organized church and the lives of individual Christians. (IVP Academic)