What Did the Cross Accomplish: A Conversation about the Atonement

by N.T. Wright, Robert B. Stewart

In this book, readers will enjoy a fascinating and cordial discussion between N. T. Wright and Simon Gathercole on the meaning and nature of the doctrine of atonement. These two highly respected scholars discuss in clear and understandable language the meanings of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Their discussion explores various theories of atonement and looks closely at the Old Testament to discover Paul's meaning of his words that "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures." Wright presents his case first, then Gathercole responds with a contrary point of view. Their discussion confronts questions What exactly is this "scandal of the cross"? What role does the notion of sacrifice, as understood in its ancient context, play in the atonement of Christ? Is the atonement a "victory"? How so? Was Christ a "substitute," taking humankind's place on the cross and suffering the death and judgment that sinners deserve? How does the death of Christ on the cross rescue or liberate sinners from death? Does the cross achieve benefits for only humans, or do those benefits extend to the entirety of creation? This book is a succinct conversation in which all these questions receive attention, with nuanced differences between the two interlocutors. This conversation along with Robert Stewart's introductory framework make this book an excellent primer to the study of the atonement, and readers will come away with a deeper understanding of the meanings of the cross.

Genres: Theology

120 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2021

About the author

N. T. Wright is the former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England (2003-2010) and one of the world's leading Bible scholars. He is now serving as the chair of New Testament and Early Christianity at the School of Divinity at the University of St. Andrews. He has been featured on ABC News, Dateline NBC, The Colbert Report, and Fresh Air, and he has taught New Testament studies at Cambridge, McGill, and Oxford universities. Wright is the award-winning author of Surprised by Hope, Simply Christian, The Last Word, The Challenge of Jesus, The Meaning of Jesus (coauthored with Marcus Borg), as well as the much heralded series Christian Origins and the Question of God.

He also publishes under Tom Wright.

Reviews

[Neil Short · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penal substitution theology discussion.
Pro: Simon Gathercole
Con: N. T. Wright

The conversation never gets heated and both scholars are highly prepared in their presentations.

I have landed on the non-penal substitution side. It is a difficult landing because of centuries on substitutionary atonement baggage built into Western church. It is difficult to put a sacred cow out to pasture.

[Christian Wermeskerch · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty cool to see Wright's thought come together - some bits were seamless blends of Paul and the Faithfulness of God + Scripture and the Authority of God + The Day the Revolution Began + How God Became King. It's a pricey read for the short page count - $25 MSRP for only 90 pages of discussion and a bibliography. Not being familiar with Simon Gathercole, I didn't get a lot out of his sections, as he kept referring to his recent (at the time) book.

[Michael Heidle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best starting point (and finishing point) for your reading on the doctrine of The Atonement!
It's no secret that the previous two books I read and reviewed on views of the Atonement left me confused and unsatisfied with regard to The Atonement; so, I do wish I would have bypassed those books and simply read this one! This book is very clear and satisfying with regard to The Atonement!!
This book contains two very straightforward presentations by two scholars; and their down to earth dialog about each other's presentations, followed by extensive questions/answers where the questions are asked by those who attended the presentations! Very clear format and very helpful in the scope of the discussions and questions/answers. Very helpful and the key point IMHO is N.T. Wright's opening presentation has six well written points that show how practical and important this discussion is especially when it isn't hindered by pitting various theories of the atonement against one another; Wright recognizes that rather than treating the atonement like a "thing" invented and defined by late theories; we are better served by reading the Gospels to see what they say about the death of Jesus, the Christ! Perfect!! Wright and Gathercole both take us back to the Bible and let God's Word simply speak directly rather that defining everything through hoops of theories that were not espoused until many centuries or milenia after the Scriptures.
Yes, this book was a very quick and helpful read!! I do think I will return to it again and again!!
You have my highest recommendation and encouragement to read it!!

[Toby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short book comprising of an introductory essay by Robert Stewart on the nature of theology and worldviews and then a transcript of a dialogue between N.T. Wright and Simon Gathercole on the nature of the atonement, with a particular focus on substitution. The transcript could have been edited a little more judiciously (or at all!). The various Hmms recorded didn't add to the theology.

[Chris Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting dialogue regarding...well...what the cross accomplished. The format is good too: Opening essay from Gathercole & Wright, then conversation back and forth, then Q & A. It's a very helpful resource as an overview (definitely not exhaustive) of the subject.