'There was a time when the cross was an answer ; today the cross is a question.' Hanging by a Thread revisits the harrowing story at the very heart of Christianity. With unswerving courage, elegant simplicity and captivating example, it scrutinises the assumption that the crucifixion was about fixing human problems, and instead suggests it was the culmination of God's disarming purpose to be with us, no matter what. This transformation from 'for' to 'with' discloses a profound, moving and inspiring vision of what the central event of the Christian faith was truly about. Samuel Wells considers the risk, cost and suffering of the cross in the light of six key contemporary concerns : the reliability of history, the fragility of trust, the fact of mortality, the search for meaning, the nature of power, and the character of love. He recognises that the cross leaves our easy assumptions and tidy answers hanging by a thread. All sentimental and idolatrous notions of faith must ultimately give way before a God who, despite danger and disgrace, regardless of how much we deny and reject, gives everything to be with us. -- page [4] of cover.