Fred Smith

“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.”
― Gustaf Aulén, Christus Victor: An Historical Study of the Three Main Types of the Idea of Atonement

“only theology supports an ultimate coherency that can embrace equally the true, the tentative, and the flawed, as reality itself embraces them—”
― Marilynne Robinson, What Are We Doing Here?

“by insisting that the created order carries its own truth, its own goodness, and its own beauty, modernity has made the created order into an idol.22”
― Hans Boersma, Heavenly Participation: The Weaving of a Sacramental Tapestry

“But God does not wish the aids, which he appoints for us, to be despised, and does not allow contempt of them to go unpunished. And we must keep in mind here, that not only is Scripture given to us, but interpreters and teachers are also added to help us.”
― John R.W. Stott, Understanding the Bible