“Each and every interpretation of the Atonement is most closely connected with some conception of the essential meaning of Christianity, and reflects some conception of the Divine nature. Indeed, it is in some conception of the nature of God that every doctrine of the Atonement has its ultimate ground. The history of the doctrine of the Atonement is so important a part of the history of Christian thought in general that the judgment which is formed on this part of the history, on its conflicts and its changes, must largely determine the judgment which is formed as to the meanings of Christian history in general. It is evident, therefore, that the thesis that we are maintaining raises some very wide issues.”