The Nature of the Atonement | James Beilby & Paul Eddy, eds. at PastorBookshelf Overviews

The Nature of the Atonement | James Beilby & Paul Eddy, eds.

by Matt McCarnan on July 30th, 2007

James K. Beilby & Paul R. Eddy, eds. The Nature of the Atonement: Four Views. IVP, 2006. 208 pp.

A long history of biblical exegesis and theological reflection has shaped our understanding of the atonement today. The more prominent highlights of this history have acquired familiar names for the household of faith: Christus Victor, penal substitutionary, subjective, and governmental.

Recently the penal substitutionary view, and particularly its misappropriations, has been critiqued, and a lively debate has taken hold within evangelicalism. This book offers a “panel” discussion of four views of atonement maintained by four evangelical scholars.

The proponents and their views are:

Gregory A. Boyd—Christus Victor view
Joel B. Green—Kaleidescopic view
Bruce R. Reichenbach—Healing view
Thomas R. Schreiner—Penal Substitutionary view

Following an introduction written by the editors, each participant first puts forth the case for their view. Each view is followed by responses from the other three participants, noting points of agreement as well as disagreement.

This is a book that will help Christians understand the issues, grasp the differences and proceed toward a clearer articulation of their understanding of the atonement.

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