Christs Doctrine of Atonement

by George Smeaton

A masterly survey of the Gospel texts which illumine the doctrine of the atonement.

Genres: Theology, Christianity

502 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1871

About the author

George Smeaton (1814–1889) was born in Berwickshire in the south of Scotland, and later studied at the University of Edinburgh. He became the minister of Falkland in 1839. At the Disruption in 1843, Smeaton demitted his charge in the Established Church and later that year became the minister of the Auchterarder congregation of the Free Church of Scotland.
In 1853, he took up the Chair of Divinity at the Free Church College in Aberdeen, and in 1857, was transferred to the New College in Edinburgh, where he held the position of Professor of New Testament Exegesis until his death.
Smeaton was held in high regard by his contemporaries—his colleague James
Macgregor thought that Smeaton had the best-constituted theological intellect in Christendom, and Dr Alexander Stewart of Edinburgh said that he was ‘perhaps the most learned theologian in the Free Church and a man of deep and unaffected godliness.’
Smeaton is best known for Christ’s Doctrine of the Atonement and The Apostle’s
Doctrine of the Atonement published in 1868 and 1870 respectively, and his Cunningham Lectures which were published as The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit in 1882, a work which B. B. Warfield considered to be one of the best books on the subject ever published.
Smeaton married Janet Goold in 1840 and had five children, four of whom died before him. The comfort he received from God in the midst of these bereavements enabled him in turn to be a great comforter to those in tribulation. As his obituary noted, ‘In the chamber of sickness and the house of mourning he was ever a welcome visitor, and to the last he did not grudge hours spent every week in this gentle and useful ministry.’

Source: banneroftruth.org

Reviews

[Jared Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book along with the Apostles Doctrine of the Atonement need more people talking about it than only Jerry Bridges. This book seems more timely for okay than it was for even Smeaton's day. I hope Smeaton's books bargain to get discovered by a wider audience.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books of theology I have ever read.

Smeaton's central thesis is that Jesus's whole life was atonement—it didn't begin at Calvary, it was only consummated there. He traces this out in what is essentially an exposition of the book of John, even though Smeaton doesn't formally structure his work that way.

Three sections in particular have remained top-of-mind in the time since I closed the back cover:

+ His explanation for why satisfactory atonement required the God-man
+ His explanation of the title Son of man
+ His explanation of the Sermon on the Mount

The latter two were striking because he takes a different position than the traditionally accepted interpretations, even within Reformed circles. His case for each is compelling.

Smeaton was one in the "galaxy of gifted and devoted ministers of the gospel" who walked the streets of Edinburgh in the middle of the 19th century. Among others were Robert Candlish, John Duncan, James Buchanan, Hugh Martin, Thomas Chalmers, William Cunningham, Robert Murray M'Cheyne, and the Bonar brothers. The writings of this group are exceptional. If you haven't yet met any of these men, this is a wonderful place make their acquaintance.

[Matthew Prydden · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my personal favourite books. George Smeaton, a 19th century Scottish theologian, wrote a two-part theological exploration of the New Testament teaching of the Atonement. This first part is concerned with working through the gospel accounts, particularly focusing on the words of Jesus, picking out all of the texts that concern the atonement and exploring them each in turn. This book is held in such high regard by myself because through it I was pulled into a deeper and fuller understanding of the glorious doctrine of Christ's atonement.

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Smeaton is a solid theologian and this work on the scope and efficacy of the atonement as taught by Christ is indisputably one of the best books written on the subject. Sound biblical exposition. God honoring theology that will give the reader plenty to meditate on as he seeks to grow in his understanding of the work of our Lord and Savior to redeem His people as taught in His own words in Scripture. I have already prepared to begin the follow up The Apostles Doctrine of the Atonement, and plan to read his work on the Holy Spirit later this year. Fantastic! God honoring!

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title says it all. This is a study of the doctrine of the Atonement as taught by Christ Himself - in other words, all the saying of Christ regarding the Atonement are exegeted and classified into groups by theme. Smeaton is an exceptional author. His style is lucid and comprehensive, without getting distracted by minutia.

[Doug Van Meter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not an easy read, long sentences and all, but worth the effort. A detailed exegesis of our Lord's own teaching on his atonement. As attacks continue on this essential truth, long after Smeatons's polemical defense, this book remains relevant and helpful.

[Roy Bartle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The exegetical style was appreciated, but the book felt slightly incomplete. Plenty of excellent material, but a fuller introduction and conclusion would have tied things together nicely.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, beautiful book.