Total Atonement: Trinitarian Participation in the Reconciliation of Humanity and Creation

by Ross Hastings

Total Atonement re-imagines the “apprehended mystery” of the atonement in light of the triune nature of God and the person and work of the incarnate Christ. W. Ross Hastings proposes participation as a theory or framework of atonement that holds all other models within it. He argues that God’s participation in humanity in order that humans might participate in God invites a total approach to the mystery of the atonement, that is, one that involves the whole Trinity, the whole person and history of Christ, and all the biblical motifs and theological models of atonement–– including penal substitution (properly nuanced to overcome its caricatures), Christus victor, satisfaction, vicarious life, and moral exemplar. Hastings re-examines the scope of the atonement in light of these Trinitarian, incarnational realities.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 9, 2019

About the author

Ross Hastings, a Zimbabwean Scot, holds PhDs in organometallic chemistry (Queen’s University, Kingston) and theology (University of St Andrews, Scotland). His teaching interests include Trinitarian theology, pastoral theology, theology and spirituality of mission, ethics, and the interface between science and theology.

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic treatment of atonement, specifically a strong defense of penal substitutionary atonement grounding it in our union with/participation in Christ. He writes lucidly, argues clearly and persuasively at many points, and engages well with opponents of PSA. Another strength is that he does not reject the importance of other models of the atonement (e.g., Christus Victor) and he engages with and appropriates some of the insights of Barth and T.F. Torrance. Despite my disagreement with some of his conclusions, this is an excellent volume which ought to be consulting by anyone interested in Christ's work.