Atonement: The Person and Work of Christ

by Thomas F. Torrance, Robert T. Walker (Editor)

This companion volume to T. F. Torrance's The Person and Life of Christ presents the material on the work of Christ, centered in the atonement, given originally in his lectures delivered to his students in Christian Dogmatics on Christology at New college, Edinburgh, from 1952-1978. Like the first volume, the original lecture material has been expertly edited by Robert Walker, complete with cross-reference to Torrance's other works. Readers will find this the most readable work of Torrance and, together with Incarnation , the closest to a systematic theology we have from this eminent theologian.

Genres: Theology, Christian

489 pages, Hardcover

First published November 6, 2009

About the author

Thomas Forsyth Torrance, MBE FRSE (30 August 1913 – 2 December 2007), commonly referred to as T. F. Torrance, was a Scottish Protestant theologian. Torrance served for 27 years as Professor of Christian Dogmatics at New College, Edinburgh in the University of Edinburgh. He is best known for his pioneering work in the study of science and theology, but he is equally respected for his work in systematic theology. While he wrote many books and articles advancing his own study of theology, he also edited the translation of several hundred theological writings into English from other languages, including the English translation of the thirteen-volume, six-million-word Church Dogmatics of Swiss theologian Karl Barth, as well as John Calvin's New Testament Commentaries. He was also a member of the famed Torrance family of theologians.
Torrance has been acknowledged as one of the most significant English-speaking theologians of the twentieth century, and in 1978, he received the prestigious Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion.[1] Torrance remained a dedicated churchman throughout his life, serving as an ordained minister in the Church of Scotland. He was instrumental in the development of the historic agreement between the Reformed and Eastern Orthodox Churches on the doctrine of the Trinity when a joint statement of agreement on that doctrine was issued between the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Orthodox Church on 13 March 1991.[2] He retired from the University of Edinburgh in 1979, but continued to lecture and to publish extensively. Several influential books on the Trinity were published after his retirement: The Trinitarian Faith: The Evangelical Theology of the Ancient Catholic Church (1988); Trinitarian Perspectives: Toward Doctrinal Agreement (1994); and The Christian Doctrine of God, One Being Three Persons (1996).

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has some keen theological and biblical insights into the work of Christ - especially along the lines of redemptive history and how the Person relates to the work. Yet, Torrance's view of revelation ends up distorting many of his conclusions. Therefore:
(1) Focuses too much on the Calvin and the Calvinists debates into his arguments.
(2) Critical of any theory of atonement that lends itself as being foundational (read penal substitutionary atonement).
(3) Thinks it biblically absurd that Jesus was "punished" for our sins - argues for expiation instead of propitiation.
(4) Epistemologically impossible for one to conclude on any theory of atonement.

Excellent piece on the Extra Calvinisticum, however. There is much to benefit from this work, to be sure. Yet, fails to be a sure and biblical account of the Work of Christ.

[Mike Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Torrance is a challenging, brilliant, and orthodox theologian (from my reformed, protestant perspective). This is an edited set of his lectures to theology students at the University of Edinburgh. The ideas are dense but accessible. I appreciate how Torrance sees everything as integrated and continuous.

The book covers the doctrine of the atonement in both the Old and New Testaments. It looks at the atonement as justification, reconciliation, and redemption. It covers the resurrection, ascension, and second coming of Christ. It discusses the status of our present age between the first and second advent. It discusses the doctrine of the church and (briefly) how to to look at eschatology.

I found this book very profitable.

[Taylor Belt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely great book and the quote that I liked the most from it is: "He is the atonement who ever lives and ever intercedes for us. He is, in the identity of His person and work, priest and sacrifice in one. His being mediates His great redeeming work."

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book. It answered many questions I had, and helped with things I hadn’t thought of or considered. -Extremely helpful-

[G Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

GREAT STUFF!!! See my notes from the accompanying volume _Incarnation_. Absolutely delightful reading... nourishes the mind and the heart - very practical and down to earth... a theology that comports with daily living.

[Stephen Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable stunning book. Solid theology, inspiring, and clear. I recommend this to anyone interested in studying a well-rounded take on the atonement. Paired with the first volume "Incarnation" this book has revolutionized my thinking on the person, life, and work of Christ.

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read, with "Incarnation"

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theological reading, so slow going and requiring much thought. I read as I have time here and there and can focus on it.

[Bradley]

A beautiful and lucid account of the atonement