A theology of the cross is valid only if it serves as an introduction to a theology of the throne. It can never stand on its own. If you preach about the crucifixion of Christ but not the resurrection and glorification of Christ, then you allow the impression that either Jesus is still on the cross or in the grave (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Philippians 2:8-9). Thus your doctrine becomes an anti-Christ message. You probably wish to impress people with a message of humility and suffering, but it is in fact a message of heresy and blasphemy.

Despite their self-proclaimed expertise on the history of redemption, much of the complaint about a theology of triumphalism stems from the fact that the theologians refuse to acknowledge that at this point in redemptive history, Jesus is not on the cross or in the grave, but he is on the throne, seated together with his people (Ephesians 2:6). Accordingly, the complaint about an over-realized theology is often an excuse to put aside gospel promises that are explicitly stated as available for this life, and that are in some cases meaningless after this life.

Where is Jesus now? He is not on the cross. He is not in the grave. He is on the throne at the right hand of God. Then why are you still “at the foot of the cross,” unless you are an unbeliever, still wondering what happened to the man of Galilee? We must preach the cross, and we must affirm the cross. You cannot come to God and be saved without the cross. But if we stay there, it means that we are not believers, and we have never been identified with Christ by faith. Now if you truly believe that Jesus was raised from the dead and seated on the throne, and that we have been seated together with him, then why don’t you talk like it and act like it? Why don’t you have faith as if you speak in the name of the King of Heaven?

The theology of the cross carries much relevance for the Christian, but someone who refuses to acknowledge that Christ is no longer there will always have a skewed interpretation of it, and on some issues, a satanic interpretation of it. Hear a theology of the cross only from someone who teaches a theology of the throne. And where there is an actual problem of triumphalism, only such a person is qualified to address it.