Comments on: Book Review: The Nature of the Atonement http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2008/01/23/book-review-the-nature-of-the-atonement/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=book-review-the-nature-of-the-atonement Kingdom People - Living on Earth as Citizens of Heaven Wed, 23 May 2012 11:15:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: simmmo http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2008/01/23/book-review-the-nature-of-the-atonement/#comment-1632 simmmo Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:34:41 +0000 http://trevinwax.com/2008/01/23/book-review-the-nature-of-the-atonement/#comment-1632 I think the sort of penal substitution espounded by the Reformed movement in the United States has no room in Biblical theology. It's the sort of low grade theory that looks at the incarnation as simply God's way of putting someone sinless to death in order that he could save people who have "faith" in some abstract sense. That's why the very political message of the teachings of Christ in his ministry is not taken seriously. Ask someone like John MacArthur whether he thinks working for justice for the poor is a priority. No, reduce the gospel to this very other-worldly legal transaction and you have this sort gnostic religion which uses Christian terminology. I think the sort of penal substitution espounded by the Reformed movement in the United States has no room in Biblical theology. It’s the sort of low grade theory that looks at the incarnation as simply God’s way of putting someone sinless to death in order that he could save people who have “faith” in some abstract sense. That’s why the very political message of the teachings of Christ in his ministry is not taken seriously. Ask someone like John MacArthur whether he thinks working for justice for the poor is a priority. No, reduce the gospel to this very other-worldly legal transaction and you have this sort gnostic religion which uses Christian terminology.

]]> By: Andrew http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2008/01/23/book-review-the-nature-of-the-atonement/#comment-1629 Andrew Tue, 26 Feb 2008 05:58:23 +0000 http://trevinwax.com/2008/01/23/book-review-the-nature-of-the-atonement/#comment-1629 On your recommendation, I bought and read this book. Devoured it really. A pleasant read. I didn't think anyone really was able to simply articulate why their view made the most sense as the central motif. Penal Substitution failed the worst in my mind. It barely made it out the door as a peripheral issue. The healing view was slightly strange. I probably have to go back and read it a second time but it seemed to be strangely physical. I didn't like that. Out of all the arguments presented, Boyd's was the most robust and fulfilling (especially through his responses to the other views). However, it would be a mistake to see it as a robust and fulfilling argument. The book was a pleasant guide to start a atonement study with, but more depth is needed to make the views persuasive. After this book, I seem to lie somewhere between spiritual healing and Christus Victor. The penal substitutionary view has always rubbed me the wrong way. Four Views further dissuaded this feeling. I need to read NT Wrights book on the subject so that he can correct my missteps. He always does. On your recommendation, I bought and read this book. Devoured it really. A pleasant read. I didn’t think anyone really was able to simply articulate why their view made the most sense as the central motif. Penal Substitution failed the worst in my mind. It barely made it out the door as a peripheral issue. The healing view was slightly strange. I probably have to go back and read it a second time but it seemed to be strangely physical. I didn’t like that. Out of all the arguments presented, Boyd’s was the most robust and fulfilling (especially through his responses to the other views). However, it would be a mistake to see it as a robust and fulfilling argument. The book was a pleasant guide to start a atonement study with, but more depth is needed to make the views persuasive.

After this book, I seem to lie somewhere between spiritual healing and Christus Victor. The penal substitutionary view has always rubbed me the wrong way. Four Views further dissuaded this feeling. I need to read NT Wrights book on the subject so that he can correct my missteps. He always does.

]]> By: Talking Theology on Tuesday « ArMchair TheolOGian http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2008/01/23/book-review-the-nature-of-the-atonement/#comment-1630 Talking Theology on Tuesday « ArMchair TheolOGian Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:32:41 +0000 http://trevinwax.com/2008/01/23/book-review-the-nature-of-the-atonement/#comment-1630 [...] us?” Pouncing upon the opportunity to summarize the four theories of atonement discussed in this book reviewed by Trevin Wax, I started out by [...] [...] us?” Pouncing upon the opportunity to summarize the four theories of atonement discussed in this book reviewed by Trevin Wax, I started out by [...]

]]> By: Michael Awbrey http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2008/01/23/book-review-the-nature-of-the-atonement/#comment-1631 Michael Awbrey Sat, 26 Jan 2008 23:33:48 +0000 http://trevinwax.com/2008/01/23/book-review-the-nature-of-the-atonement/#comment-1631 I read a book titled "God S Loved The World" a few years back that did a great job of painting a multi-faceted view of the atonement. It was a really great read as it did not lock on to one as the most important but rather sought to display each angle. Thanks for the review. I read a book titled “God S Loved The World” a few years back that did a great job of painting a multi-faceted view of the atonement. It was a really great read as it did not lock on to one as the most important but rather sought to display each angle. Thanks for the review.

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