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A Community Called Atonement: Living Theology
Over the centuries the church developed a number of metaphors, such as penal substitution or the ransom theory, to speak about Christ's death on the cross and the theological concept of the atonement. Yet too often, says Scot McKnight, Christians have held to the supremacy of one metaphor over against the others, to their detriment. He argues instead that to plumb the rich theological depths of the atonement, we must consider all the metaphors of atonement and ask whether they each serve a larger purpose.
A Community Called Atonement is a constructive theology that not only values the church's atonement metaphors but also asserts that the atonement fundamentally shapes the life of the Christian and of the church. That is, Christ identifies with humans to call us into a community that reflects God's love (the church)--but that community then has the responsibility to offer God's love to others through missional practices of justice and fellowship, living out its life together as the story of God's reconciliation. Scot McKnight thus offers an accessible, thought-provoking theology of atonement that engages the concerns of those in the emerging church conversation and will be of interest to all those in the church and academy who are listening in.
A Community Called Atonement is a constructive theology that not only values the church's atonement metaphors but also asserts that the atonement fundamentally shapes the life of the Christian and of the church. That is, Christ identifies with humans to call us into a community that reflects God's love (the church)--but that community then has the responsibility to offer God's love to others through missional practices of justice and fellowship, living out its life together as the story of God's reconciliation. Scot McKnight thus offers an accessible, thought-provoking theology of atonement that engages the concerns of those in the emerging church conversation and will be of interest to all those in the church and academy who are listening in.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2007
71 people are currently reading
932 people want to read
About the author
Scot McKnight
209 books541 followersScot McKnight is a recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. McKnight, author or editor of forty books, is the Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lombard, IL. Dr. McKnight has given interviews on radios across the nation, has appeared on television, and is regularly speaks at local churches, conferences, colleges, and seminaries in the USA and abroad. Dr. McKnight obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Nottingham (1986).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 7, 2023
Great views on a fundamental topic, very clear and easy communicator with plenty of great references.
Did get a tad repetitive, but a great read on the whole.
Did get a tad repetitive, but a great read on the whole.
March 7, 2010
Despite a number of major flaws (on which more anon) this was a really good and important book. If more in the emergent/emerging movement wrote stuff like this, I would feed a whole lot better about the movement as a whole. Alas, instead we get McLaren.
At any rate, this book argues that no one view of the atonement does justice to Jesus' death on the cross, but that instead He did them all. They are all necessary to our understanding of the cross, but that none may claim an absolute or "central" position. Jim Jordan has pointed out the three important themes of Scripture are forgiveness of sins, holy war against Satan, and maturation into glory - and that none are "central" but that rather all are central. Each of the three classical views of atonement match with each element of Jordan's observations. The penal substitution gets our sins forgiven, the Christus Victor view matches with the climax of holy war against Satan, and Abalard's view of the cross as our example (which is really closer to the cross as something to which we are "impressed" "shaped" "stamped" and "conformed to" by the Spirit) is a match with the idea of maturation into glory. But that's not in the book, that's just me thinking out loud.
Not only does the book seek to bring together all of the major atonement theories, but McKnight manages to do so reasonably and solidly under the theme of "union with Christ." "I suggest that we think about atonement as identification for incorporation" (107). In other words, Christ identified Himself to us in order that we might have our sins removed and receive His righteousness - and all through incorporation into "union" with Christ's body.
But he is not content to leave atonement there, but rather points to the understanding of the New Testament and the early Church Fathers that atonement was not merely something that happened to me in a single moment of time, but actually creates a community of atoned-for ones who are to extend atonement to the world (1 Cor. 5:18-20). "atonement is something done not only by God for us but also something we do with God for others. . . . atonement is praxis" (117). "The work of God is to form a community in which the will of God is done and through which one finds both union with God and communion with others for the good of others and the world" (119).
There are several problems with the book. Chapters 5 and 6 are pretty obnoxious, being an appalling approach to metaphor in which McKnight argues that each view of the atonement is really a metaphor that tries to communicate something that was going on behind each theory. He'd be better off to say that each view of the atonement is a dimension, or aspect, of Christ's work on the cross. The way it is its just going to confuse and hinder.
A second problem is in his discussion of the New Perspective on Paul (much of which is helpful). It really is more of a problem I have with the New Perspective that McKnight agrees with them on. He repeats the old divide between justification as "getting in" and "staying in" the covenant, but this is really like saying justification is about "being" unified with Christ, not "how" one is unified with Christ. Framed in this way, the whole distinction is nonsense. Justification is about both getting in and staying in union with Christ.
Chapter 18 started as a stinker too, although some good things were said in the second half. He leads the charge against "Bibliolatry" or the "tendency for some Christians to ascribe too much to the Bible" (143). Funny, that. Pretty sure it's the Word of God. You know, a manifestation of Jesus. At any rate, he gets the progression utterly backwards and argues (essentially) that the church precedes Scripture, rather than the orthodox view, which is that the Scripture, as the Word of God "breathed" by the Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16) creates the Church, who then attests to the power of the Word.
Anyway, in light of the oodles of positives with the book these are important but tangential points. Atonement is identification for incorporation, and, as he argues in the final chapter, the identification of us with Jesus occurs at baptism (Rom. 6) and our incporporation into Christ is nourished in the Lord's Supper, so that we might carry atonement into the world as the community of the atoned-for ones. And that is a glorious thing.
At any rate, this book argues that no one view of the atonement does justice to Jesus' death on the cross, but that instead He did them all. They are all necessary to our understanding of the cross, but that none may claim an absolute or "central" position. Jim Jordan has pointed out the three important themes of Scripture are forgiveness of sins, holy war against Satan, and maturation into glory - and that none are "central" but that rather all are central. Each of the three classical views of atonement match with each element of Jordan's observations. The penal substitution gets our sins forgiven, the Christus Victor view matches with the climax of holy war against Satan, and Abalard's view of the cross as our example (which is really closer to the cross as something to which we are "impressed" "shaped" "stamped" and "conformed to" by the Spirit) is a match with the idea of maturation into glory. But that's not in the book, that's just me thinking out loud.
Not only does the book seek to bring together all of the major atonement theories, but McKnight manages to do so reasonably and solidly under the theme of "union with Christ." "I suggest that we think about atonement as identification for incorporation" (107). In other words, Christ identified Himself to us in order that we might have our sins removed and receive His righteousness - and all through incorporation into "union" with Christ's body.
But he is not content to leave atonement there, but rather points to the understanding of the New Testament and the early Church Fathers that atonement was not merely something that happened to me in a single moment of time, but actually creates a community of atoned-for ones who are to extend atonement to the world (1 Cor. 5:18-20). "atonement is something done not only by God for us but also something we do with God for others. . . . atonement is praxis" (117). "The work of God is to form a community in which the will of God is done and through which one finds both union with God and communion with others for the good of others and the world" (119).
There are several problems with the book. Chapters 5 and 6 are pretty obnoxious, being an appalling approach to metaphor in which McKnight argues that each view of the atonement is really a metaphor that tries to communicate something that was going on behind each theory. He'd be better off to say that each view of the atonement is a dimension, or aspect, of Christ's work on the cross. The way it is its just going to confuse and hinder.
A second problem is in his discussion of the New Perspective on Paul (much of which is helpful). It really is more of a problem I have with the New Perspective that McKnight agrees with them on. He repeats the old divide between justification as "getting in" and "staying in" the covenant, but this is really like saying justification is about "being" unified with Christ, not "how" one is unified with Christ. Framed in this way, the whole distinction is nonsense. Justification is about both getting in and staying in union with Christ.
Chapter 18 started as a stinker too, although some good things were said in the second half. He leads the charge against "Bibliolatry" or the "tendency for some Christians to ascribe too much to the Bible" (143). Funny, that. Pretty sure it's the Word of God. You know, a manifestation of Jesus. At any rate, he gets the progression utterly backwards and argues (essentially) that the church precedes Scripture, rather than the orthodox view, which is that the Scripture, as the Word of God "breathed" by the Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16) creates the Church, who then attests to the power of the Word.
Anyway, in light of the oodles of positives with the book these are important but tangential points. Atonement is identification for incorporation, and, as he argues in the final chapter, the identification of us with Jesus occurs at baptism (Rom. 6) and our incporporation into Christ is nourished in the Lord's Supper, so that we might carry atonement into the world as the community of the atoned-for ones. And that is a glorious thing.
May 27, 2018
This book is unbelievably helpful. So helpful, in fact, that is overcomes all of the nuances that I disagree with to get a fourth star.
First of all, the book's leading metaphor is worth the price of the book alone. McKnight talks about how we have been arguing over which atonement theories are the best, rather than realizing that we are often unfair to them in isolation (creating straw man critiques) and not realizing that they are like a bag of gold clubs — you need to know when and how to use each one.
Having said that, this is NOT a book on the different theories of atonement. This is a book on the larger ideas that drive atonement. Towards the end of the book, McKnights summary treatment of the New Perspective on Paul (as it relates to atonement) was one of the best I've read.
He ends the book by pointing out something that needs to be written on by more people. He says that atonement is also a work that the community of God engages in and he speaks to the praxis of atonement. While I didn't enjoy every chapter in that section (I particularly thought the chapter on the Word of God was problematic and created too many false dichotomies), it was very useful.
Overall, I would say that no in-depth study on atonement would be complete without reading (maybe starting) with this book.
First of all, the book's leading metaphor is worth the price of the book alone. McKnight talks about how we have been arguing over which atonement theories are the best, rather than realizing that we are often unfair to them in isolation (creating straw man critiques) and not realizing that they are like a bag of gold clubs — you need to know when and how to use each one.
Having said that, this is NOT a book on the different theories of atonement. This is a book on the larger ideas that drive atonement. Towards the end of the book, McKnights summary treatment of the New Perspective on Paul (as it relates to atonement) was one of the best I've read.
He ends the book by pointing out something that needs to be written on by more people. He says that atonement is also a work that the community of God engages in and he speaks to the praxis of atonement. While I didn't enjoy every chapter in that section (I particularly thought the chapter on the Word of God was problematic and created too many false dichotomies), it was very useful.
Overall, I would say that no in-depth study on atonement would be complete without reading (maybe starting) with this book.
March 7, 2021
Which theory of atonement is the correct one? All of them, according to McKnight. They are all straining to use metaphorical language to describe something we barely understand. Paul himself used different metaphors at different times. As CS Lewis said, different denominations will disagree on how atonement works, but the one thing they all agree on is that somehow, through Jesus’ death, we are reconciled.
McKnight seeks to go further than this though, and sees that, not only does each theory of atonement have shortcomings, they are also shortsighted. He attempts to paint a picture of atonement that is all-encompassing, including kingdom and ecclesial work, rather than an isolated phenomenon that is unrelated to other aspects of doctrine. So he makes an interesting case for the atonement being tied to incarnation, for example, two things that are not often talked about in relationship with each other.
This could have been a much larger book. It did not need to be to make his larger point about atonement encompassing all theories and being more than just forgiveness of sins, but it would have benefited from a much more thorough covering of points. And the writing is not particularly great. For example, on one page he uses the phrase, “liberating his people from their enemies (think Rome and Herod the Great)” then repeats this phrase on the very next page in a different paragraph. This did improve some over the course of the book.
In sum, I think he makes some great points that are very much worth reading, but it is mixed with other points that are not as clearly drawn because they are touched on too briefly and with less-than-stellar writing. After waffling back and forth over three or four stars, I decided on four because I did enjoy it.
McKnight seeks to go further than this though, and sees that, not only does each theory of atonement have shortcomings, they are also shortsighted. He attempts to paint a picture of atonement that is all-encompassing, including kingdom and ecclesial work, rather than an isolated phenomenon that is unrelated to other aspects of doctrine. So he makes an interesting case for the atonement being tied to incarnation, for example, two things that are not often talked about in relationship with each other.
This could have been a much larger book. It did not need to be to make his larger point about atonement encompassing all theories and being more than just forgiveness of sins, but it would have benefited from a much more thorough covering of points. And the writing is not particularly great. For example, on one page he uses the phrase, “liberating his people from their enemies (think Rome and Herod the Great)” then repeats this phrase on the very next page in a different paragraph. This did improve some over the course of the book.
In sum, I think he makes some great points that are very much worth reading, but it is mixed with other points that are not as clearly drawn because they are touched on too briefly and with less-than-stellar writing. After waffling back and forth over three or four stars, I decided on four because I did enjoy it.
April 24, 2022
“In God there is absolute truth; in our articulations there is always something lacking…something still yearning for yet more. A proper confidence in the God who atones reminds us of this and keeps us humble.” I adore McKnight’s humility. Many authors are overly confident in their portrayal of God and the Cross. McKnight recognizes the inherent value in a diversity of views, each capturing a glimpse of the whole. The sheer magnitude of what occurred on the Cross and its reverberation through history will never be captured by a single metaphor. Unfortunately, our Western minds long for an exact formula that can be neatly laid out in text books and properly preached from pulpits. Atonement is not something that happened only happened 2000 years ago, it is supposed to be happening in our community and our churches. The way atonement is applied as a present reality will look wildly different depending on the context, but all applications will be wonderfully unified by the life and death of Christ. I love McKnight’s emphasis on Praxis and living out the atonement as a community of Christ followers.
November 13, 2024
I’ve read a few books on the atonement and still find it pretty confusing.
This, however, was a really helpful read. Very thoughtful and nuanced, Scot avoids hyperbole and isn’t too reductionist or revisionist.
Instead, he charts a path that helps brings together the different opinions into a synthesis that holds them together in a way that feels workable.
He expertly articulates the issues with the more mainstream atonement theories (especially penal substitution) without tearing the whole thing down.
Like NT Wright, he’s very good at articulating how one element of theology can’t be treated in isolation, but needs to be considered in the grand narrative of what life is all about. We can’t articulate how salvation works if we don’t know what we’re saved for/to do.
I really like his central metaphor - that a lot of atonement theologians restrict themselves to using one club from the golf bag, when what we really need is a bag that can carry multiple, compatible clubs.
I also loved his focus on being relational and missional - real theology isn’t a head exercise, but that it always leads to a transformation of our hearts, hands and feet too.
This, however, was a really helpful read. Very thoughtful and nuanced, Scot avoids hyperbole and isn’t too reductionist or revisionist.
Instead, he charts a path that helps brings together the different opinions into a synthesis that holds them together in a way that feels workable.
He expertly articulates the issues with the more mainstream atonement theories (especially penal substitution) without tearing the whole thing down.
Like NT Wright, he’s very good at articulating how one element of theology can’t be treated in isolation, but needs to be considered in the grand narrative of what life is all about. We can’t articulate how salvation works if we don’t know what we’re saved for/to do.
I really like his central metaphor - that a lot of atonement theologians restrict themselves to using one club from the golf bag, when what we really need is a bag that can carry multiple, compatible clubs.
I also loved his focus on being relational and missional - real theology isn’t a head exercise, but that it always leads to a transformation of our hearts, hands and feet too.
November 17, 2020
bit of a snoozefest eh
December 3, 2022
Brilliant upstream arguments, but I personally struggled to follow McKnight’s applications. Great exploration, but I want to “flesh out” the applications a bit more.
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February 22, 2013A Community Called Atonement
By Scot McKnight
A Book Review
I read McKnight’s book hoping to hear another helpful voice for piecing together the theology of God making all things new. What I discovered was that McKnight offers a good, accessible read on the subject - a book that's as much informative as accessible.
The greatest theological take away was written toward the front of the book. The goal of atonement, McKnight says, is God uniting himself to a community of people who join God in reuniting and reconciling all things in creation.
How this reconciliation and redemtion works is best seen through the incorporation of all the major atonement theories, seeing that the problem of separation from God is much larger than personal moral failure.
I originally began reading the book hoping for a clear “this atonement theory over that” answer; McKnight’s call for incorporation of all theories in order to see the greater picture of God’s saving work in Jesus initially felt dismissive of the struggle and perhaps a little Hegelian, middle-of-the-road-ish. But, I think he's on to something.
The greatest take away from the book was how McKnight described and dissected the penal substitution theory of atonement, dismantling the “God as child abuser” sense of it and pitching the idea that unless this theory is examined a little deeper than it's often presented, people will only see a bipolar God who doesn't know whether to be filled with rage or love when he comes face to face with sin.
That's a necessary invitation I think.
By Scot McKnight
A Book Review
I read McKnight’s book hoping to hear another helpful voice for piecing together the theology of God making all things new. What I discovered was that McKnight offers a good, accessible read on the subject - a book that's as much informative as accessible.
The greatest theological take away was written toward the front of the book. The goal of atonement, McKnight says, is God uniting himself to a community of people who join God in reuniting and reconciling all things in creation.
How this reconciliation and redemtion works is best seen through the incorporation of all the major atonement theories, seeing that the problem of separation from God is much larger than personal moral failure.
I originally began reading the book hoping for a clear “this atonement theory over that” answer; McKnight’s call for incorporation of all theories in order to see the greater picture of God’s saving work in Jesus initially felt dismissive of the struggle and perhaps a little Hegelian, middle-of-the-road-ish. But, I think he's on to something.
The greatest take away from the book was how McKnight described and dissected the penal substitution theory of atonement, dismantling the “God as child abuser” sense of it and pitching the idea that unless this theory is examined a little deeper than it's often presented, people will only see a bipolar God who doesn't know whether to be filled with rage or love when he comes face to face with sin.
That's a necessary invitation I think.
May 22, 2011
There was much to disagree with in this book, such as the flattening out of the offense of sin to not be fundamentally against God, but everyone and everything. Therefore, what follows is not a theory of atonement that is the basis or fundamental to every other theory, but that each theory is equally as fundamental. The analogy McKnight often uses is a golf bag. You can't play a round of golf with one club (read, Penal Substitutionary Atonement), but you need all your clubs. Rather, the more biblical understanding, as I see it, is that PSA is the basis for every other theory, since I understand all sin being fundamentally and primarily against God and consequentially against everyone else.
McKnight does a good job of being sympathetic and fair-minded to more conservative evangelicals – though he at times falls into the trap of arguing against the lowest common denominator of his opponents, making many confessional and traditional Christians out to be floppy-haired evangelists.
But when McKnight is good, he is really good. He is often moving when talking about the cross. And he doesn't shy away from talking about the effects of sin, wrath, and the need of a substitute (though, as noted above, it's just not fundamental.) His insights into the gospel narratives (especially Mark) are wonderful and his writing style is very enjoyable.
There are lots of qualifications before I suggest the book, but I suggest it nevertheless.
McKnight does a good job of being sympathetic and fair-minded to more conservative evangelicals – though he at times falls into the trap of arguing against the lowest common denominator of his opponents, making many confessional and traditional Christians out to be floppy-haired evangelists.
But when McKnight is good, he is really good. He is often moving when talking about the cross. And he doesn't shy away from talking about the effects of sin, wrath, and the need of a substitute (though, as noted above, it's just not fundamental.) His insights into the gospel narratives (especially Mark) are wonderful and his writing style is very enjoyable.
There are lots of qualifications before I suggest the book, but I suggest it nevertheless.
March 5, 2019
This s great book to help someone think through the practice of atonement or the outcome in life and community. It’s not meant to give you a full theological understanding of it, though mcknight does a little of that throughout the book.
He challenges Christians and the church to think about how the atonement is loved our in life, relationships, justice, mission and the church.
His biggest contribution to understanding atonement is how he ties the solution to the problem. Or is you understand what sin corrupts you’ll better understand what atonement restores. His focus on our 4 way relationships with God, self, others and the world is a great lens to helps us understand atonement with real missional and gospel purpose. Otherwise it becomes a doctrine to be won or fought for rather than lived.
He challenges Christians and the church to think about how the atonement is loved our in life, relationships, justice, mission and the church.
His biggest contribution to understanding atonement is how he ties the solution to the problem. Or is you understand what sin corrupts you’ll better understand what atonement restores. His focus on our 4 way relationships with God, self, others and the world is a great lens to helps us understand atonement with real missional and gospel purpose. Otherwise it becomes a doctrine to be won or fought for rather than lived.
August 29, 2022
Great book that outlines many metaphors used to describe atonement in the Bible. Written for a lay audience, but includes enough details that keeps everyone happy (except maybe those who are exclusively penal substitutionists, read the book for context!)
Scot McKnight is a force for good in the field of biblical scholarship. He loves the church and writes for them so they can work out the grace that had been given them. Obviously people won’t agree on everything, but he does a great job remaining mostly impartial while explaining many views of atonement theory. He also always keeps in mind the main ethics of Jesus (love God and neighbor) as he presents his work.
Scot McKnight is a force for good in the field of biblical scholarship. He loves the church and writes for them so they can work out the grace that had been given them. Obviously people won’t agree on everything, but he does a great job remaining mostly impartial while explaining many views of atonement theory. He also always keeps in mind the main ethics of Jesus (love God and neighbor) as he presents his work.
May 20, 2022
This will be a strong recommendation for anyone I’ll be discipling in the future. Theological and practical! The practical comes around the end and it’s wonderfully written with the theological as the backdrop.
April 3, 2020
A well-illustrated exploration of the atonement and a well-argued plea that we need multiple "atonement theories" to do justice to the grandeur and greatness of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
September 13, 2023
Excellent review on Atonement. Traveling through the series and summing them all up in a coalescent chorus. Jesus became like us, so we might be like him.
July 3, 2021
Quarantine-Book #61:
I just finished "A Community Called Atonement," by Scot X. McKnight.
I have to apologize, this is so good that I was 50 pp in before I could bring myself to write something about this. So flipping backwards:
"Jesus' Kingdom vision and atonement are related; separating them is an act of violence," p 13. Holy smoke, yes. Later on McKnight comes close to repeating my oft said "if the death if Christ is just a premise in your salvific syllogism you are not comprehending near the totality of the gospel."
McKnight uses golf clubs as an analog of atonement models: which is ones favorite?--it depends on where one is and what needs to be done.
He digs deeply into metaphor, it's use and how it is seen in atonement theology. Then he deals with Luther's theology of the cross and how it isn't began and ended at the crucifixion before digging into the totality of the atonement (preexistance to Pentecost) and metaphors used to express it. His coverage on why passover rather than the day of atonement was wonderful. All the while McKnight stretches the reader to see atonement in communal and individual lights. Double imputation is not just the active obedience of Christ for the sin of man; "In Christ" has multiple imputations. This ends up by asking how atonement manifests or works out in community? Based on scripture we have to conclude that this looks like justice in and by community.
Sorry this was brief, I was engrossed. It was an excellent book; a must read.
#ScotMcKnight #ACommunityCalledAtonement #AtonementTheology #Atonement #PoplarSpringsLifeGroup
I just finished "A Community Called Atonement," by Scot X. McKnight.
I have to apologize, this is so good that I was 50 pp in before I could bring myself to write something about this. So flipping backwards:
"Jesus' Kingdom vision and atonement are related; separating them is an act of violence," p 13. Holy smoke, yes. Later on McKnight comes close to repeating my oft said "if the death if Christ is just a premise in your salvific syllogism you are not comprehending near the totality of the gospel."
McKnight uses golf clubs as an analog of atonement models: which is ones favorite?--it depends on where one is and what needs to be done.
He digs deeply into metaphor, it's use and how it is seen in atonement theology. Then he deals with Luther's theology of the cross and how it isn't began and ended at the crucifixion before digging into the totality of the atonement (preexistance to Pentecost) and metaphors used to express it. His coverage on why passover rather than the day of atonement was wonderful. All the while McKnight stretches the reader to see atonement in communal and individual lights. Double imputation is not just the active obedience of Christ for the sin of man; "In Christ" has multiple imputations. This ends up by asking how atonement manifests or works out in community? Based on scripture we have to conclude that this looks like justice in and by community.
Sorry this was brief, I was engrossed. It was an excellent book; a must read.
#ScotMcKnight #ACommunityCalledAtonement #AtonementTheology #Atonement #PoplarSpringsLifeGroup
September 9, 2015
Както обикновено Скот МакНайт е написал провокативна книга, която сочи в множество различни посоки и неминуемо повдига редица въпроси. Като част от проекта Living theology тя е издадена от Abington Press, но е свързана с Emerging village, а редактор е не друг а Тони Джоунс. Това вероятно би накарало немалко хора да повдигнат вежда още преди да разлистят страниците. Самият автор не крие както симпатиите си към т. нар. emerging church, така и критиката си към някои неща в движението или в конкретни негови представители, които той смята за неправилни. Това обаче е изцяло отделна тема…. В случая серията Living theology цели не просто да представи поредното академично разглеждане на богословски въпроси, да ги сведе до едно практично ниво – без при това да ги „профанизира.“ Според този критерий Скот МакНайт се е справил повече от добре.
Книгата е разделена на 4 части: Първата е въвеждаща и слага на масата основните понятия. Втора разглежда различните образи на изкуплението в Библията. Третата е своеобразно продължение на втората, но подхожда от различна гледна точка – вместо образи тя разглежда историите, които стоят зад изкуплението. Четвъртата част говори за изкуплението като praxis.
Подобно деление позволява на д-р МакНайт да постигне една широта на погледа, която за съжаление често липсва в евангелските богословски трактовки свързани с изкуплението. Както се изразява авторът мнозина християни се опиват да говорят по въпроса по начин, който много наподобява желанието на човек да играе голф с един единствен стик. Те избират своя любим образ, който считат за най-важен (в евангелските среди това обикновено е заместническото изкупление, макар в последно време да се среща не по-малко едностранчиво третиране на Christus Vicor), след което се опитват да напаснат всичко в библията, така че да отговаря в така зададената рамка. За съжаление подобен подход просто не работи добре.
Смятам, че критиката на МакНайт е напълно справедлива. Голяма част от протестантите в България виждат кръста и изкуплението единствено в юридически понятия, а всеки опит да се намекне, че библейската картина всъщност е много по-„шарена“ се посреща в гневни викове за ерес (Личните ми впечатления са, че православната общност като цяло бяга в противоположната посока, което не е по-малко вредно, но това е друга тема).
Като алтернатива на подобен подход авторът се обръща към многообразието на образи и истории, чрез които Библията представя изкуплението. Тя говори за изкупване, оправдание, примирение и прошка – понятия, които по своята същност са съответно икономически, съдебни и междуличностни. Освен това Библията говори за оправданието/спасението като единение с Христос, обожение (участие в Божественото естество), представителство и (двустранно) вменяване. По-нататък изкуплението е свързано не само с кръста (макар последния винаги да остава в центъра), но и с въплъщението, живота на праведност и (особено) с възкресението на Христос. Макар Христос и апостолите широко да използват юридическа образност те също талка сравняват оправданието и с намиране на изгубен предмет или човек или изцеление на болен. Изкуплението не е свързано единствено с прошка на греховете, а и със справяне с проблема с греха, който продължава да действа дори в простените. Накрая изкуплението има много силно изразена насоченост към поправяне на отношенията – влизане в истинско, близко, бащинско общение с Бога, ставане Негови синове и дъщери, осиновени и дори родени от Него. В допълнение към всичко това, за да разберем изкупленито още по-ясно ние можем да се върнем назад до гокемите старозаветни истории, които стоят зад него – например (но не само) Пасхата и изхода от Египет пресъздадена от Исус в Господната вечеря.
Разбира се, нищо от това не е ново. МакНайт широко черпи както от източната така и от западната традиция представяйки изкуплението от различни ъгли. Редица съвременни автори (Н. Т. Райт, Ханс Боерсма, Д. Дън, Джон Стот и т.н.) са казвали, че (1) изкуплението/спасението не може да бъде сведено до една единствена метафора. То е многостранно и библията използва цял арсенал от средства, за да представи своята идея – при това не задължително с понятия, които логически винаги могат да се съвместят и (2) въпросът да се гледа на тези различни метафори/истории/модели като на или/или в повечето случаи е погрешен – те просто не са взаимноизключващи се и следва да бъдат третирани и/и. Заслугата на автора е, че той извежда това разбиране като водещо за своята теза и го обяснява ясно. Лично аз намирам това като една от най-големите заслуги на книгата.
В изложението на Скот МакНайт има и един специфичен момент. Разглеждайки изкуплението той отива поне една стъпка по-далеч отколкото повечето учени достигат свързвайки го с Петдесетница, даването на Св. Дух и практическия живот на християнската общност. Макар да ми се струва, че някои от твърденията му могат да бъдат оспорени за мен изглежда логично да приема, че изкуплението наистина е свързано с практическите отношения не само между Бога и отделния човек (което често довежда до краен индивидуализъм), но и между човека и останалите хора (вярващи и невярващи) както и между ч��века и света (Божието творение).
Като цяло аз намирам книгата на МайНайт за много добра и полезна и аз горещо я препоръчвам като един вид лекарство срещу едностранчиво богословие на изкуплението. В същото време чувствам известно разочарование – нещо, което усещам при почти всичко, което съм чел от автора (изключения са неговият голям коментар върху Яков от поредицата NICNT и Jesus and His death както и в известна степен Jesus creed). Струва ми се, че МакНайт много точно слага пръста си върху редица сериозни, вани и актуални проблеми, сочи ги, след което продължава нататък без да задълбае достатъчно в тях. Въпреки практическата насоченост на книгата усещането остава и отказва да си отиде.
Книгата е разделена на 4 части: Първата е въвеждаща и слага на масата основните понятия. Втора разглежда различните образи на изкуплението в Библията. Третата е своеобразно продължение на втората, но подхожда от различна гледна точка – вместо образи тя разглежда историите, които стоят зад изкуплението. Четвъртата част говори за изкуплението като praxis.
Подобно деление позволява на д-р МакНайт да постигне една широта на погледа, която за съжаление често липсва в евангелските богословски трактовки свързани с изкуплението. Както се изразява авторът мнозина християни се опиват да говорят по въпроса по начин, който много наподобява желанието на човек да играе голф с един единствен стик. Те избират своя любим образ, който считат за най-важен (в евангелските среди това обикновено е заместническото изкупление, макар в последно време да се среща не по-малко едностранчиво третиране на Christus Vicor), след което се опитват да напаснат всичко в библията, така че да отговаря в така зададената рамка. За съжаление подобен подход просто не работи добре.
Смятам, че критиката на МакНайт е напълно справедлива. Голяма част от протестантите в България виждат кръста и изкуплението единствено в юридически понятия, а всеки опит да се намекне, че библейската картина всъщност е много по-„шарена“ се посреща в гневни викове за ерес (Личните ми впечатления са, че православната общност като цяло бяга в противоположната посока, което не е по-малко вредно, но това е друга тема).
Като алтернатива на подобен подход авторът се обръща към многообразието на образи и истории, чрез които Библията представя изкуплението. Тя говори за изкупване, оправдание, примирение и прошка – понятия, които по своята същност са съответно икономически, съдебни и междуличностни. Освен това Библията говори за оправданието/спасението като единение с Христос, обожение (участие в Божественото естество), представителство и (двустранно) вменяване. По-нататък изкуплението е свързано не само с кръста (макар последния винаги да остава в центъра), но и с въплъщението, живота на праведност и (особено) с възкресението на Христос. Макар Христос и апостолите широко да използват юридическа образност те също талка сравняват оправданието и с намиране на изгубен предмет или човек или изцеление на болен. Изкуплението не е свързано единствено с прошка на греховете, а и със справяне с проблема с греха, който продължава да действа дори в простените. Накрая изкуплението има много силно изразена насоченост към поправяне на отношенията – влизане в истинско, близко, бащинско общение с Бога, ставане Негови синове и дъщери, осиновени и дори родени от Него. В допълнение към всичко това, за да разберем изкупленито още по-ясно ние можем да се върнем назад до гокемите старозаветни истории, които стоят зад него – например (но не само) Пасхата и изхода от Египет пресъздадена от Исус в Господната вечеря.
Разбира се, нищо от това не е ново. МакНайт широко черпи както от източната така и от западната традиция представяйки изкуплението от различни ъгли. Редица съвременни автори (Н. Т. Райт, Ханс Боерсма, Д. Дън, Джон Стот и т.н.) са казвали, че (1) изкуплението/спасението не може да бъде сведено до една единствена метафора. То е многостранно и библията използва цял арсенал от средства, за да представи своята идея – при това не задължително с понятия, които логически винаги могат да се съвместят и (2) въпросът да се гледа на тези различни метафори/истории/модели като на или/или в повечето случаи е погрешен – те просто не са взаимноизключващи се и следва да бъдат третирани и/и. Заслугата на автора е, че той извежда това разбиране като водещо за своята теза и го обяснява ясно. Лично аз намирам това като една от най-големите заслуги на книгата.
В изложението на Скот МакНайт има и един специфичен момент. Разглеждайки изкуплението той отива поне една стъпка по-далеч отколкото повечето учени достигат свързвайки го с Петдесетница, даването на Св. Дух и практическия живот на християнската общност. Макар да ми се струва, че някои от твърденията му могат да бъдат оспорени за мен изглежда логично да приема, че изкуплението наистина е свързано с практическите отношения не само между Бога и отделния човек (което често довежда до краен индивидуализъм), но и между човека и останалите хора (вярващи и невярващи) както и между ч��века и света (Божието творение).
Като цяло аз намирам книгата на МайНайт за много добра и полезна и аз горещо я препоръчвам като един вид лекарство срещу едностранчиво богословие на изкуплението. В същото време чувствам известно разочарование – нещо, което усещам при почти всичко, което съм чел от автора (изключения са неговият голям коментар върху Яков от поредицата NICNT и Jesus and His death както и в известна степен Jesus creed). Струва ми се, че МакНайт много точно слага пръста си върху редица сериозни, вани и актуални проблеми, сочи ги, след което продължава нататък без да задълбае достатъчно в тях. Въпреки практическата насоченост на книгата усещането остава и отказва да си отиде.
December 31, 2017
An excellent treatment of how to deal with the various historical atonement theories (use all of them). I thought that the "communal" aspects of atonement dealt with in the final part of the book was the best and most valuable part and also most demonstrated why all the historical theories are together needed in the reconciling work of God for humankind. The book is short but I felt was every bit as valuable as some longer "atonement" books I read recently by N. T. Wright and Peter Leithart, so don't let its brevity make you think it is lacking in substance.
April 18, 2023
This was a major snoozer. If he referred to humans as “cracked Eikons” one more time I felt I was going to spontaneously burst into flames.
Love the concept of the book; that the theories of atonement can work together like different clubs in a golf bag. Useful at different times for different situations but all valuable.
Unfortunately, got bored after chapter two and it was downhill from there.
Love the concept of the book; that the theories of atonement can work together like different clubs in a golf bag. Useful at different times for different situations but all valuable.
Unfortunately, got bored after chapter two and it was downhill from there.
January 3, 2018
"God provides atonement in order to create a fellowship of persons who love God and love others, who find healing for the self, and who care about the world. "
I love the focus of atonement on the healing of the community, instead of only focusing on the individual.
I love the focus of atonement on the healing of the community, instead of only focusing on the individual.
March 25, 2020
A solid book on an important topic
In the midst of the battle of atonement theories, McKnight persuasively argues for “identification for the sake of incorporation” being the “golf bag that can hold all the other clubs” of atonement theories.
In the midst of the battle of atonement theories, McKnight persuasively argues for “identification for the sake of incorporation” being the “golf bag that can hold all the other clubs” of atonement theories.
August 14, 2024
I really loved the premise of this book and the first two sections. The last section felt a bit ad hoc to me and the book ended a bit abruptly. But his framework for atonement that embraces the various metaphors is compelling.
November 29, 2021
The book on atonement I wish I read ten years ago.
March 11, 2012
I read this book at the recommendation of Frank Viola, co-author of Jesus Manifesto: Restoring the Supremacy and Sovereignty of Jesus Christ and found it to live up to the recommendation.
Scot McKnight is commonly associated with the emergent church movement and this book is indeed the opening volume of a series from that community. The material itself, however, stands well on its own and it provides a very strong and very practical look at the atonement that will serve anyone, from any tradition or background, to see the panorama of the atonement and how it is understood throughout all of Christian History and across many Christian communities.
Lest anyone imagine that this is just a book of theology and history that operates in the intellectual realm McKnight keeps things very much rooted in the practical and speaks of how these truths tie into daily expression and community as a whole.
The primary theme of the book finds its expression in human beings as "cracked eikons" or the marred image of God within us. The atonement as the restoration of mankind is a constant theme as well with the multiple metaphors of scripture looked at with a caution against adopting any one of the them as the "master theme" to the diminishing or exclusion of the others. Of particular value to this reviewer was the examination of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA). PSA tends to be at the core of most reformed, evangelical and fundamentalist theology and practice and it has been a particular target of many who see it as offensive and exclusionary. Instead of dismissing it out of hand or accepting it as it is popularly applied, McKnight takes a conciliatory tact viewing it in balance with several other metaphors within the Bible and reminding the reader that the metaphor is not the things itself.
This combined with a similar handling and familiarizing of the reader with the different themes and metaphors allows for a very rich appreciation of the atonement and it's beauty. Add to this that McKnight brings in as well an element often skimmed over in other venues, that being the title theme of the community and it's tie-in through Pentecost.
All in all, Frank didn't steer me wrong. This is a beautiful, educational, practical and inspiring thematic work that anyone, coming from any Christian tradition should come away from with a deeper appreciation of their own tradition as well as expand their understanding of others and perhaps even temper their understanding to see how pervasive the atonement is in all areas of life, fellowship and community.
5 stars.
bart breen
Scot McKnight is commonly associated with the emergent church movement and this book is indeed the opening volume of a series from that community. The material itself, however, stands well on its own and it provides a very strong and very practical look at the atonement that will serve anyone, from any tradition or background, to see the panorama of the atonement and how it is understood throughout all of Christian History and across many Christian communities.
Lest anyone imagine that this is just a book of theology and history that operates in the intellectual realm McKnight keeps things very much rooted in the practical and speaks of how these truths tie into daily expression and community as a whole.
The primary theme of the book finds its expression in human beings as "cracked eikons" or the marred image of God within us. The atonement as the restoration of mankind is a constant theme as well with the multiple metaphors of scripture looked at with a caution against adopting any one of the them as the "master theme" to the diminishing or exclusion of the others. Of particular value to this reviewer was the examination of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA). PSA tends to be at the core of most reformed, evangelical and fundamentalist theology and practice and it has been a particular target of many who see it as offensive and exclusionary. Instead of dismissing it out of hand or accepting it as it is popularly applied, McKnight takes a conciliatory tact viewing it in balance with several other metaphors within the Bible and reminding the reader that the metaphor is not the things itself.
This combined with a similar handling and familiarizing of the reader with the different themes and metaphors allows for a very rich appreciation of the atonement and it's beauty. Add to this that McKnight brings in as well an element often skimmed over in other venues, that being the title theme of the community and it's tie-in through Pentecost.
All in all, Frank didn't steer me wrong. This is a beautiful, educational, practical and inspiring thematic work that anyone, coming from any Christian tradition should come away from with a deeper appreciation of their own tradition as well as expand their understanding of others and perhaps even temper their understanding to see how pervasive the atonement is in all areas of life, fellowship and community.
5 stars.
bart breen
January 18, 2013
This started so well... The editor's preface had claimed that the series to which this book belongs offered "approachable theology" suitable for church small groups... Scot's own prologue offered a helpful analogy of why we need multiple metaphors for the atonement, and the title suggested that the language with which we express our theology (particularly our theology of the atonement) significantly shapes our relationships within the church and with the wider world...
However, it all fell apart pretty fast... The further I got into it the less it seemed to be accessible to those without the "benefit" of a university-based theological education. At the same time, I felt that Scot was simplifying things in unhelpful ways, e.g. conflating some atonement metaphors e.g. recapitulation/ransom and Christus Victor obscuring their distinctive emphases, strengths and shortfalls. But I thought that all this would pay off as he explored, for me, the key issue of how our theology of atonement does or should shape our Christian community and its relationship with the wider community. But the pay-of never came... Indeed the last section, exploring atonement in terms of "Missional Praxis" was very thin... each section being little more than a few sentences... And these got thinner and thinner as the end approached... with the last chapter on liturgical expressions of this, almost reading like a set of notes for a much more developed piece... It was almost as if the editor had been breathing down his neck, and he had finished it in a hurry. The editor's preface promised that this series would not offer a 400 page monograph... but although I wouldn't have wanted a 400 page theologically dense textbook, perhaps a 400 page book would have been a more realistic way to explore this issue in the depth, breadth an colour that it deserves... and which Scot McKnight is more than capable of providing...
There were glimmers of what might have been... his emphasis on atonement being the restoration of the image of God within us was very helpful... and perhaps might be the metaphor for the moment, in a world obsessed with image (although his insistence on using the word Eikon as a theological shortcut was unnecessarily obfuscating and alienating to the non-theologue). As such I hope that he returns to this subject, freed from the artificial constraints of this "Living Theology" series, to explore it more fully, especially in terms of its implications for the shaping of Christian community...
However, it all fell apart pretty fast... The further I got into it the less it seemed to be accessible to those without the "benefit" of a university-based theological education. At the same time, I felt that Scot was simplifying things in unhelpful ways, e.g. conflating some atonement metaphors e.g. recapitulation/ransom and Christus Victor obscuring their distinctive emphases, strengths and shortfalls. But I thought that all this would pay off as he explored, for me, the key issue of how our theology of atonement does or should shape our Christian community and its relationship with the wider community. But the pay-of never came... Indeed the last section, exploring atonement in terms of "Missional Praxis" was very thin... each section being little more than a few sentences... And these got thinner and thinner as the end approached... with the last chapter on liturgical expressions of this, almost reading like a set of notes for a much more developed piece... It was almost as if the editor had been breathing down his neck, and he had finished it in a hurry. The editor's preface promised that this series would not offer a 400 page monograph... but although I wouldn't have wanted a 400 page theologically dense textbook, perhaps a 400 page book would have been a more realistic way to explore this issue in the depth, breadth an colour that it deserves... and which Scot McKnight is more than capable of providing...
There were glimmers of what might have been... his emphasis on atonement being the restoration of the image of God within us was very helpful... and perhaps might be the metaphor for the moment, in a world obsessed with image (although his insistence on using the word Eikon as a theological shortcut was unnecessarily obfuscating and alienating to the non-theologue). As such I hope that he returns to this subject, freed from the artificial constraints of this "Living Theology" series, to explore it more fully, especially in terms of its implications for the shaping of Christian community...
February 7, 2020
I appreciate Mcknight's synthetic approach to understanding the atonement in the light of the contemporary discussions that often tend towards polarization and the hardening of categories. The various theories or metaphors are discussed in a concise way - satisfaction, ransom, penal substitution, representation, moral example, Christus Victor, recapitulation and so on - showing the inadequacies of each model as well as its strengths and contributions and how we need to hold them together for a more balanced and holistic view of the death and resurrection of Christ. It augurs well with the Emerging Churches' ethos of generous orthodoxy, which seeks to embrace rather than exclude a diversity of viewpoints in Christian faith and practices. In taking this approach, the church can thus find its way towards charity and unity of faith as well as a more humble, mature and fuller grasp of the mystery, that is the atonement. He devotes several chapters towards the end to fleshing out the outworking of such a synthetic approach and how it could shape the church in her mission, fellowship, worship and work of justice.
I reckon that the book will be useful to one has already entered the contemporary discussion of the atonement for some time and is trying to make sense of the various approaches and theories but will probably prove a little daunting to a new reader who is just getting acquainted with the subject and its historical understandings. Mcknight skilfully steers us away from the slanted portrayals of those theories which have come under fire in some circles and provides us with a more nuanced picture of them, especially the penal substitutionary theory. Some readers might be tempted to charge him for going out of his way to agree with these positions (which he does not really buy, if pressed) for the sake of diplomacy. I doubt this critique is fair and would like Mcknight and synthetic thinkers like him to continue to expand on this work and thereby demonstrate more fully from Scripture and good theology how we do really need 'all the clubs in one bag'. I think even if one goes away disagreeing, one stands to benefit from the charity, humility and even-handedness that characterizes the spirit with which he writes.
I reckon that the book will be useful to one has already entered the contemporary discussion of the atonement for some time and is trying to make sense of the various approaches and theories but will probably prove a little daunting to a new reader who is just getting acquainted with the subject and its historical understandings. Mcknight skilfully steers us away from the slanted portrayals of those theories which have come under fire in some circles and provides us with a more nuanced picture of them, especially the penal substitutionary theory. Some readers might be tempted to charge him for going out of his way to agree with these positions (which he does not really buy, if pressed) for the sake of diplomacy. I doubt this critique is fair and would like Mcknight and synthetic thinkers like him to continue to expand on this work and thereby demonstrate more fully from Scripture and good theology how we do really need 'all the clubs in one bag'. I think even if one goes away disagreeing, one stands to benefit from the charity, humility and even-handedness that characterizes the spirit with which he writes.
December 26, 2008
Great book! McKnight does a great job of moving the focus away from atonement theories and toward the much more important atonement metaphors we find in Scripture (ie redemption, ransom, reconciliation, substitution, justification, offering). His contention is that we tend to grab on to a favored biblical metaphor and neglect the others, when in reality we need all the metaphors Scripture gives us if we are going to have a full picture of what the work of Christ has accomplished for us. Sin is a multifaceted problem with a host of results, and God chose a number of pictures to help us understand the fullness of Christ's work in overcoming sin. I appreciated McKnight's example of different atonement theories being like golf clubs - you can play a round of golf with just your 5-iron, but there is a reason you have more than one club in your bag. I also appreciated his overarching summary for the different metaphors (in his words, the golf bag the clubs go into) that atonement is about "identification for incorporation." In other words, the atonement ultimately involves Jesus becoming like us so we can be incorporated fully into Jesus. Finally, I was glad to see the strong affirmation that McKnight gives for penal substitution. Too many, it seems, in their eagerness to see the church embrace a broad biblical view of the atonement, are willing to throw substitution under the bus. McKnight affirms penal substitution as biblical and crucial, while encouraging us to make sure that is not the only club in our bag.
May 19, 2016
In A Community Called Atonement, McKnight suggests that modern discussions about the atonement are too narrowly focused. Using the analogy of golf, he suggests that we need a golf bag that can hold the various clubs (atonement metaphors) so that they can each be used in the appropriate circumstances. The analogy is helpful, as is his defense of his position. Reading the New Testament (not to mention OT precursors), I have always found it difficult to fit the view of authors into any one category. Penal substitutionary atonement? Certainly. Always? I don't think so. Christus victor? It's hard not to find that in 1 Corinthians 15. And so on. McKnight's discussion was persuasive and helped me bring together into a more unified theology certain things I already saw in Scripture but couldn't place well into a coherent view of atonement. McKnight ultimately argues for a golf bag that he calls identification for incorporation. I conclude with a passage from the book that I think nicely sums up much of what McKnight is saying throughout: "That is, the gospel itself is an ecclesial, atoning work: it works to create a community in which cracked Eikons are healed in their relations with God, self, others, and the world. Herein is the telic heart of atonement: God provides atonement in order to create a fellowship of persons who love God and love others, who find healing for the self, and who care about the world" (121).
March 8, 2014
This book took me off guard because the Intro (or maybe Forward) talked about this being a book in a series of accessible, non-theologically heavy, small group usable books. While not Calvin's Institutes, this was most certainly a theological work, full of terminology like perichoresis, eikon, praxis, etc.
After adjusting my expectations, I thoroughly enjoyed this work. McKnight challenges the reader to broaden their concept of atonement, not by watering it down, but by seeing it in its' full context. He is arguing for not just adopting one theory or analogy of atonement but rather synthesize them into a cohesive view of what atonement means, what atonement does, and what atonement calls us to.
My only complaints are that at times it felt like he was massaging passages or topics to fit them into his construct (and these were the aspects of his argument that I most disagreed with) and that either the author or the editor seemed to have lost steam by the time the book got to the application phase. I'd rather have the theological ponderings be more brief and the application be more robust.
If you'd like an articulate, thorough, and at least seemingly orthodox take (there are times that an entire chapter makes total sense but the way he sums it up sounds off) on the main thrust of the New Perspectives on Paul and the Emergent Church, I think this is the place to look.
After adjusting my expectations, I thoroughly enjoyed this work. McKnight challenges the reader to broaden their concept of atonement, not by watering it down, but by seeing it in its' full context. He is arguing for not just adopting one theory or analogy of atonement but rather synthesize them into a cohesive view of what atonement means, what atonement does, and what atonement calls us to.
My only complaints are that at times it felt like he was massaging passages or topics to fit them into his construct (and these were the aspects of his argument that I most disagreed with) and that either the author or the editor seemed to have lost steam by the time the book got to the application phase. I'd rather have the theological ponderings be more brief and the application be more robust.
If you'd like an articulate, thorough, and at least seemingly orthodox take (there are times that an entire chapter makes total sense but the way he sums it up sounds off) on the main thrust of the New Perspectives on Paul and the Emergent Church, I think this is the place to look.
May 24, 2013
This book is an Incredibly comprehensive analysis of Atonement theories which reaches past doctrine into praxis. Scott is informed by an emergent and post-modern friendly approach that doesn't endorse any one of the traditional views of Atonement but seeks to integrate all of them into an incorporative model. His homey example from golfing is helpful. He says that the game of golf is hobbled if one were to use just one club - it takes many clubs to play the various settings your ball may land in. So too with the atonement theories where using the most helpful theory for the human situation is demanded.
One limitation as I see it is that when he discusses the penal justification/ransom theory he doesn't mention to whom the ransom is paid. This leaves the theory open to many problems including a misrepresentation of God as putting his holiness and justice above his love and grace. Scott himself seems to favour the use of the recapitulation theory or the incorporative participative model as particularly significant for our era - it is akin to a bad in which to hold the other theories. In his closing chapters emphasis is stressed on the atonement as a community practice including justice, mission, scripture reading and sacraments. Well worth reading!
One limitation as I see it is that when he discusses the penal justification/ransom theory he doesn't mention to whom the ransom is paid. This leaves the theory open to many problems including a misrepresentation of God as putting his holiness and justice above his love and grace. Scott himself seems to favour the use of the recapitulation theory or the incorporative participative model as particularly significant for our era - it is akin to a bad in which to hold the other theories. In his closing chapters emphasis is stressed on the atonement as a community practice including justice, mission, scripture reading and sacraments. Well worth reading!
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