The Atonement

by Hugh Martin

The Atonement is the most significant contribution to the Christian church by Hugh Martin, an author of extraordinary penetration and great power. At a time when the preaching of the cross has been displaced from many pulpits by talk about man, and where experience-orientated theology has come to reign, Martin's exposition of the atonement is a book that demands attention. The great distinctive feature of The Atonement is the emphasis it places on the importance of a covenant perspective, and its focus on the work of Christ as priest. Martin was adamant that these are essential to the right interpretation and proclamation of the doctrine of the atonement. In these pages the author also exposes the mis-steps in theology that empty the cross of its meaning and power. In doing so he notably expounds the concept of the double imputation of sin and righteousness, devastatingly exposes the weaknesses of the theology of F. W. Robertson, and treats the relationship between the atonement and the moral law.

Hugh Martin was a man who thought through the truth from first principles, always sensitive to the text of Scripture. His writings are characterised by a powerful, original, compelling, sometimes blazing light and gospel logic that demands and requires the closest attention and reflection. The way in which he penetrates to the heart of the work of Christ and then expounds the gospel out of its true centre calls for our best thinking and humblest spirits. For anyone who wants to learn what it is to think about Christ's atonement these pages will open up new vistas and indeed whole panoramas that will, when gazed on with a loving and humble mind, fill the heart with love and praise.

Genres: Theology

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Hugh^^^Martin

19th century Scottish Minister

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something happened in reading this book that I've never experienced before. After reading the first two chapters, I was stopped cold in my tracks. I couldn't go on reading. I had to start again from the beginning. Martin's thoughts were so astonishing, so overwhelming and so electrifying, that just I had to go back. It was all too important to miss. When I finally did manage to reach the end of the book, I had so enjoyed it that I couldn't bear for it to be over. So I left my bookmark on the last page. I also started it over again.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have upgraded this one to five stars. A couple of the earlier chapters are not the best stylistically, but the content of the whole book is golden. Hugh Martin's writing style takes a bit of getting used to, as he says so much in such a short space, and often his works demand meditation, not mere reading. Consequently, I plan to revisit this one in the future.

[Joshua Savage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compared to Martin's other works ("The Abiding Presence", "Simon Peter", "Jonah"), this work is far more technical and seems written to a more academic audience. It is therefore more challenging to get through, as Martin's writing style and ideas are sometimes difficult to grasp. That being said, it is well worth the effort to understand his explanation of the necessity of Christ's Atonement, Intercession, and Priesthood.

This book was compiled by Martin from various articles he wrote for publication throughout his life, and even though Martin (and his editors) did a fair job connecting these articles, they do still read quite separately. This, of course, can also be a help as it encourages one reading a chapter at a time, meditating on its concepts, and not feeling compelled to immediately jump into the next chapter.

Even with it's more academic prose, there are moments that Martin cannot help himself, and his heart-centered, devotional spirit comes through. And really, why not? The truths that Martin unpacks in this volume are powerful, awesome, and cut to the core of the believer--like one who is colorblind seeing the beautiful, color-saturated world around him. Indeed, Martin himself encourages the reader to take these intellectually challenging ideas and use them to meditate on God's Triunity in a Spirit-filled prayer. He says, "My text is not a cold, didactic assertion of the proposition that God is a blessed being. It is the warm, adoring, direct ascription of blessedness to him by a soul in communion with him, rejoicing in his blessedness: 'Blessed art thou, O LORD.' Therefore, bretheren, join with me in thus ascribing blessedness unto our God. Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord from the fountain of Israel . . ." (232).

[Zach Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugh Martin wonderfully sets forth the doctrine if he Atonement and her many relations - covenant theology, the priesthood of Christ, remission of sins, and so forth. One of his frequent targets is the Hypothetical Universalism, in whom he aptly dispatches.

Alongside clear theological discussions, Martin provides doxological prose which would excite any man to boldly proclaim the gospel of Christ.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most memorable part of the book is his refutation of the notion that God could've pardoned sin by fiat, without atonement. His appeal and exposition of Hebrews 9:22 (without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins) demolishes this theory.

[Cbarrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old classic on atonement; not the easiest reading, but thorough in articulating biblical view. Also deals with erroneous views of atonement that were popular in Martin's day.