The Nature of Atonement

This book explores 4 views of the nature of atonement. The nature of atonement has attrached some interests recently due to the writings of some theologians such as W.T. Wright who makes this difficult theological construct understandable to those of us who are not theologians.

Hence a book like this which explores Christus Victor, kaleidoscopic, healing, and penal subsitutionary views is very welcome. It must be noted that there are other views which are not discussed such as ransom, governmental, subjective etc.

The format of the book is that each proponent of a view writes a chapter and then the other three critique it from their viewpoints.

Gregory A. Boyd: Christus Victor view.

Joel B. Green: kaleidoscopic view

Bruce R. Reichenbach: healing view

Thomas R. Schreiner: penal subsitutionary view.

Gregory Boyd (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is senior pastor at Woodland Hills Church in Maplewood, Minnesota.

Joel Green (Ph.D., Marquette University) is professor of biblical and theological studies at Bethel University.

Bruce Reichenbach (Ph.D., Northwstern University) is professor of philosophy at Augburgh College.

Thomas Schreiner (Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary) was professor of New Testament at Southern Seminary and taught New Testament at Azusa Pacific University and Bethel Theological Seminary.

This book is easy to read and digest. However one need to go in with an open mind. I will recommend this book to those who are seeking to understand atonement, particularly the current debate on penal substitutionary view and its misappropriation by many theologians.

hey, I am just a provincial town doctor, what do I know?