Here is a sure-footed guide to the message of the cross – and therefore to Christ himself, and ultimately to God the Trinity.

Sinclair B. Ferguson

As a biblical scholar, I enthusiastically commend the authors for their careful exegesis... From this point on, critics... must interact with the arguments of this book.

Tremper Longman III

This book is important not only because it deals so competently with what lies at the heart of Christ's cross work, but because it responds effectively to a new generation of people who are not listening very carefully to what either Scripture or history says. One of the delightful features of this book is reflected in the subtitle: the authors make no apology for their thesis, but underscore the glory of penal substitution. This book deserves the widespread circulation achieved by corresponding contributions a generation ago - the contributions of Leon Morris, Jim Packer, and John Stott.

D. A. Carson

Want to see what these (and many, many others) are getting so excited about?

'Pierced for our Transgressions: Rediscovering the glory of penal substitution' by Sachy, Jeffers and Mad-Eye Ovey. Coming soon to a bookshop near you.

There are some who, regarding laws in their literal sense in the light of symbols of matters belonging to the intellect, are overpunctilious about the latter, while treating the former with easygoing neglect. Such men I for my part should blame for handling the matter in too easy and off-hand a manner: they ought to have given careful attention to both aims, to a more full and exact investigation of what is not seen and in what is seen to be stewards without reproach. As it is, as though they were living alone by themselves in a wilderness, or as though they had become disembodied souls and knew neither city nor village nor household nor any company of human beings at all, overlooking all that the mass of men regard, they explore reality in its naked absoluteness. These men are taught by the sacred word to have thought for good repute, and to let go nothing that is part of the customs fixed by divinely empowered men greater than those of our time.

It is quite true that the Seventh Day is meant to teach the power of the Unoriginate and the non-action of created beings. But let us not for this reason abrogate the laws laid down for its observance, and light fires or till the ground or carry loads or institute proceedings in court or act as jurors or demand the restoration of deposits or recover loans, or do all else that we are permitted to do as well on days that are not festival seasons. ...It is true that receiving circumcision does indeed portray the excision of pleasure and all passions, and the putting away of the impious conceit, under which the mind supposed that it was capable of begetting by its own power: but let us not on this account repeal the law laid down for circumcising. Why, we shall be ignoring the sanctity of the Temple and a thousand other things, if we are going to pay heed to nothing except what is shewn us by the inner meaning of things. Nay, we should look on all these outward observances as resembling the body and their inner meanings as resembling the soul. It follows that, exactly as we have to take thought for the body, because it is the abode of the soul, so we must pay heed to the letter of the laws. If we keep and observe these, we shall gain a clearer conception of those things of which these are the symbols; besides that we shall not incur the censure of the many and the charges they are sure to bring against us.

Four Jobs I Have Had:

* Waitress
* Chef
* Maths teacher
* Parish Assistant

That's it, I think. None to actually choose between.

Four Films I Could Watch Over and Over:

* The Sound of Music
* Lady Jane
* Moulin Rouge (to be honest, anything by Baz Lurhmann)
* Mansfield Park

Four Books I Could Read Over and Over:

* Little Women
* Busman's Honeymoon
* The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
* The Cricket Term

But to be honest, I've read most of my books over and over again.

Four Places I Have Lived:

* Stafford
* Oxford
* Gillingham (Kent)
* Southgate

Oh, and Philadelphia.

Four TV Shows I have Enjoyed:

* Rentaghost (anyone else remember that?)
* Dawson's Creek
* The Forsyte Saga
* American Idol (oh yes, I'm addicted. Anyone else waiting for Antonella and Sundance to be knocked out?)

Four Places I Have Been On Holiday:

* Wales
* Norfolk
* Dorset
* Cornwall

So I'm not that well-travelled, okay?

Four Websites I visit Daily:

* Facebook
* David Field's blog
* BBC Radio 4
* Westminster Seminary Library

And a growing list of friends' blogs.

Four Favourite Foods:

* Cadbury's Dairy Milk chocolate
* Roast beef and yorkshire puddings
* Bacon sandwiches
* Oh, who am I kidding, chocolate anything...

Four Places I’d Like To Be Right Now:

* Home
* Home
* Home
* Home

Hmm. Can you tell I'm feeling a little bit homesick at the moment.