Locating Atonement: Explorations in Constructive Dogmatics

by Oliver D. Crisp, Fred Sanders (Editor)

A Close Look at Atonement's Place in Contemporary Systematic Theology. In light of renewed interest in the doctrine of atonement—during which a range of "atonement models" have gained momentum among different traditions—it's important to map these models to the broader context of theological thought on this aspect of Christ's work and to show how no single approach has the complete picture. The proceedings of the third annual Los Angeles Theology Conference seek to identify the place of the doctrine of atonement in systematic theology. Locating Atonement stays away from discussion of theories of atonement, typologies of those theories, and contests among various theories. Instead, its focus is on the What else is there to do in atonement theology besides rehashing types and theories? The twelve diverse essays in this collection include discussions Each of the essays collected in this volume engage with Scripture as well as with others in the field—theologians both past and present, from different confessions—in order to provide constructive resources for contemporary systematic theology and to forge a theology for the future.

Genres: Theology, Christian

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2015

About the author

Oliver D. Crisp (PhD, University of London, DLitt, University of Aberdeen) is professor of analytic theology at the University of St. Andrews. He is the author of several books, including Analyzing Doctrine: Toward a Systematic Theology, Saving Calvinism: Expanding the Reformed Tradition, Jonathan Edwards Among The Theologians, and The Word Enfleshed: Exploring the Person and Work of Christ. He is a founding editor of the Journal of Analytic Theology, and co-organizes the annual Los Angeles Theology Conference with Fred Sanders.

Reviews

[Spencer R · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Full review at SpoiledMilks, 7/20/16)
Random. Recapitulation. Satisfaction. Penal Substitution. Moral Influence. Christus Victor. What encompasses the meaning of “atonement”? Does Christ’s incarnation, perfect life, resurrection, and ascension contribute to his atoning work, or only his death? To whom does the atonement extend? Do we have to choose just one theory or are we allowed to mix and match?

Locating Atonement is a collection of essays from the third annual Los Angeles Theology Conference. Rather than discussing which atonement theory/theories work the best, the speakers addressed the relationship between the atonement and other biblical doctrines in Christian theology—the Trinity, creation, human suffering, the image of God, etc. What does the atonement add to understanding of these doctrines? 

The Atonement and . . .
Chapter 1: Adonis Vidu sets the atonement within the oneness of the Trinity. There are no works that the Father does that the Son and the Holy Spirit are not involved. ”[T]he whole Trinity is active in the death of Jesus, not just the Father punishing the Son. The whole Trinity is present to us in a new way in the human nature of the Son, taking upon itself, in this new human nature, our penal death” (42).

Chapter 3 Image of God: Ben Myers argues that the church fathers had a consistent and rational explanation for the atonement, one that was rich in christology and the human condition.

Chapter 4 (Wisdom): This was by fay my favorite chapter as Strobel and Levenson show that “the atonement is the doctrinal elaboration of the movement and action of God incarnate for us through death into resurrection; it is doctrinal reflection on who God is and how he is for us in the descent and exaltation of Christ” (89). He shows how God’s wisdom, which is foolishness to the world, defeats death in the grotesque death and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Chapter 5 (Covenant): Jeremy Treat views the atonement through covenant. Sinners are reconciled to God through the death of Christ, the one who fulfilled the covenant obligations and who took on himself the covenant curses, and we are now brought together as family.

Chapter 6 (Incarnation); Chapter 7 (Punishment and Retribution); Chapter 8 (Divine Wrath); Chapter 9 (Shame); Chapter 10 (Human Suffering); Chapter 11 (Eucharist).

Chapter 12 (Ascension of Christ); Michael Horton shows how the ascension is a crucial aspect of Christ’s atonement. It was after the ascension that Pentecost happened where the Holy Spirit came and filled the believers. Christians are united to Christ by the Spirit, the one “who brings the powers of the age to come into this present age” (235).

Recommended?
If you haven’t read much on atonement theology, this book will be more difficult for you. For those who have a rich interest in atonement theology, there is so much detail and nuance to be understood, to be grasped, worked and wrestled with. I’ll warn you that this is dense, it’s not always easy to read, and having a different author for each essay varies the quality, but if you have a good handle on atonement theology, you will enjoy this book.

[Casey Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every book should be assessed by what it professes to be. This book is a collection of academic theology essays regarding the relationship of atonement in Jesus Christ with other Christian teachings. Any such collection is typically a mixed bag as every chapter is written by a different author.

Everything to love and hate about theology in an academic setting is on display here: the reserve of those new to the field, the (sometimes excessive) confidence of seasoned theologians, the frequent aim at erudition over clarity and the occasional gem that shines through. Admittedly, I've lost patience for academic prose that aims to impress with the gloss of refinement, some of which seems evident in a few of the essays. If nothing else, seminary taught me to value clarity and concise writing. But I digress.

For various reasons, the gems in this volume of twelve essays are four:
Ch. 3 - Benjamin Myers, "The Patristic Model of Atonement"
Ch. 5 - Jeremy R. Treat, "Atonement and Covenant"
Ch. 9 - T. Mark McConnell, "From 'I Have Done Wrong' to 'I am Wrong'"
Ch. 11 - Eleonore Stump, "Atonement and Eucharist"

[Радостин Марчев · Rating 4 out of 5]

Свеж набор от есета разглеждащи изкуплението във връзка с различни други християнски доктрини. Един такъв подход се оказва едновременно оригинален и много полезен.
Естествено за такъв набор есетата са с различна стойност, но няколко от тях са много добри - особено тези на Адонис Виду, Бенджамин Майърс, Матю Левъринг, Лукас Стампс и Майкъл Хортън.
Това е моят личен избор. Друг може да оцени други есета като по-добри, но сборникът си заслужава времето.

[Benjamin Kanagy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the essays were a bit underwhelming but I like the idea of this book a lot and found it to be generally helpful by connecting atonement to other doctrines

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The theological task is to pick the right combination of conceptual elements from existing models, recombining them into something both constructive and useful for the church and academy today."

What exactly is atonement? What exactly did atonement accomplish? Various theologians weigh in on the matter.

[Paul Gesting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the articles are very good. Some are very poor. The editors were very generous in picking contributors (acknowledging that the articles came from a conference).