An extended review of a 2025 book by Ross Hastings
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IVP Academic, 2025. 288 pages. $46 (ebook $45, audio $20).
Tucked in between the glorious Resurrection and the epochal day of Pentecost is another event Christians too seldom think about – the Ascension. Thinking of the Ascension as little more than a footnote in the New Testament is a mistake, according to W. Ross Hastings, professor of theology at Regent College in Vancouver. His new book explores this topic from almost every conceivable angle.
One way Hastings gets at the importance of the Ascension is by asking what would be missing if it had never happened. No Ascension would mean “no acceptance and celebration of the atonement, no enthronement of King Jesus, no outpouring of the Spirit” (20). Additionally, with regard to Christ, it would mean “no entry into high priesthood for us, no mediation of our prayers in his prayers, no empathy in our sufferings, no presence in the Eucharist (however one may understand that), and no second coming that corresponds to how he ascended” (20).
With theological precision, Hastings guides the reader through each of these aspects with a continued focus on how each one reveals the glory of the triune God. Chapter 3 explores the deity of Christ in the Ascension, with considerable attention given to several relevant Psalms and passages from Daniel, concluding simply and profoundly that “the one ascending is none other than Yahweh […] the King of glory” (53).
In chapter 4 the reader learns how the Incarnation was a concealment of the Son’s divine glory – with a brief peek at Christ’s true glory at the Transfiguration – and how the Ascension is its counterpart in revealing that divine glory once more.
Subsequent chapters treat, among other topics, the trifold offices of Christ – prophet, priest and king – the Atonement, the implications of an ascended humanity in heaven, how this affects the Church on earth (with a special focus on the eucharist), and the cosmic significance of it all.
The breadth of scope has the effect of raising the reader to an elevated vantage point where she is able to take in an expansive theological vista.
The target audience for this book is serious students of the Bible. The content and style are academic, but not dry. The writing maintains a warm pastoral tone that assumes and encourages genuine personal faith and affection for the truths under consideration. It is academic-level theology written, in the words of the subtitle, “for the life of the church.”
I found it a rich and edifying book which opened my eyes to the multifaceted glories of the Ascension and enthronement of the risen Christ. Like the disciples who stood there and saw Christ ascend, I suspect careful readers will find themselves changed by having gazed so closely at the glory of the Ascension.
Alas, no book is perfect, including this one. Once or twice I felt that the author was straying a little too far from the text on a minor point, such as assuming that the Father repeated the words, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased,” during the moments when Christ ascended, despite no biblical evidence (61). Some readers may also feel that the book’s thoroughness borders on repetitiveness at times.
But let us end with some of the spiritual benefit the reader can expect.
One clear takeaway is that the theme of participation and union with Christ is especially important – if we are one with Christ, it is because he reigns now from heaven. This reality is what makes the ascension of practical importance for believers. Not only is Christ seated in the heavens, but we are seated with Him because we are in Him.
Lastly, a mystery deserving of worship – our humanity, which Christ took into union with Himself, has somehow been permanently assumed into the Godhead. Our ongoing union with Christ is only possible because He has embraced and redeemed and glorified our humanity. All of this, as The Glory of the Ascension amply shows, means the Ascension is far, far more than a footnote.
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