Rating: 8
July 29, 2008
Here’s an academic who isn’t satisfied when doctrine ends merely in thought. It needs to be lived out — even the atonement. And McKnight doesn’t stop with the individual, but believes that this atonement must be lived out in community.
This book is really helpful, particularly with his opening metaphor of golf. For him, you can’t play golf well with one club. You could play golf, and get a decent score. But you’ll do much better if you use the variety of clubs available — woods, irons and wedges.
He says that the doctrine of atonement is similar. The Bible offers a handful of other metaphors, each like its own club, that each shine a different light on what we call atonement, and each should be highlighted for its own purposes. Near the end of the book, he even offers a golf bag — identification for incorporation — to hold these clubs together. The language could be more compelling, but as for thought, his thinking is really helpful from getting locked into either/or battles.
His doctrine of atonement is broad, incorporating elements starting from the incarnation and moving through Pentecost. His broad retelling of the atonement finds a way to incorporate the many biblical images and theories throughout history into a healthy dialogue instead of a diatribe. And his recasting the atonement to be lived out in a missional community gives the theory flesh and blood in our real world.
You can view its Amazon detail page by clicking the image above.
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