Review: The Mosaic of the Atonement

In The Mosaic of the Atonement: An Integrated Approach to Christ’s Work (Zondervan Academic, 2019), Joshua McNall seeks to rescue atonement theology from evangelical abuse. McNall submits that typical soteriological methods can either treat one atonement theory as superior to the other, creating a hierarchy, or collapse and reduce them all together, creating a diluted puddle. He attempts to reconcile these extremes by presenting an integrated approach to the atonement, viewing it through the “mosaic” of Christ. Using the metaphor of a body, McNall draws on classical views of the atonement: the feet (recapitulation), the heart (penal substitution), the head (Christus Victor), and the hands (moral influence). Brought together, one can discover a more beautiful vision for what Christ’s work has accomplished.

This book is an excellent evangelical introduction to soteriology and atonement. It is readable yet profound. Although his metaphors may become confusing at times (after all, if he suggests that atonement theories should not be likened to situational golf clubs, a la McKnight, then why does he advance a similar approach?), McNall is willing to swim in the deep trenches of Christian theology—spanning twenty centuries—and bring the relevance of atonement into the contemporary church. Graphics, stories, and cultural connections make this book more engaging. This would be an excellent text for intermediate theology courses or for interested clergy and laypeople.

(A complimentary review copy was given in exchange for an honest review.)

Comments

Product Review: LL Bean Extra-Large Rolling Adventure Duffle

Overview When adventure strikes, the right bag makes all the difference. Too often, however, luggage bags are either large, ponderous suitcases or small, flimsy duffle bags. I have traveled to Central and South America multiple times with terribly large suitcases. It added extra complication to my trip—especially lugging the bag up the steps! This is the problem which LL Bean seeks to rectify in the LL Bean Extra-Large Rolling Adventure Duffle. With a 137-liter capacity, this duffel is able to hold the items of the biggest pack-rat while being easy to transport. It features a telescoping handle, smooth-gliding wheels, and cinch straps. Specifications Capacity: Approx. 8,350 cu. in., 137 L. Weight: 9 lb. 3 oz. Dimensions: 17"H x 34"W x 15"D. Highlights This bag is sturdy. Not only is it capable of holding many items, but it is incredibly durable. It has a reinforced nylon bottom and a thick plastic frame so that the bag does not sag or become weak....

Review: NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible

A revised version of the previously published NIV Zondervan Study Bible, the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (Zondervan, 2018) represents the best of biblical scholarship in a compact study Bible. It introduces Biblical Theology (BT), a discipline that is intended for readers to weave individual books and stories into a larger metanarrative that reveals God's redemptive plan through the entire Bible. To that end, this study Bible includes articles introducing BT and articles on theological matters. While the emphasis of this Bible may appeal to a more Reformed/covenantal audience, the contributors span a variety of theological traditions and are respected authorities within their discipline. The verse-by-verse notes—over 20,000—are insightful and suitable for determining the historical, literary, and cultural background of the text with a view to responsible interpretation of Scripture. There are in-text cross references, a concordance, maps, and useful charts. Each bo...

Review: Pastoral and Spiritual Care in a Digital Age

The advancements of technology and social media are changing what it means to be human, yet religious studies rarely tend to intersect with technological and neurological sciences. In Pastoral and Spiritual Care in a Digital Age: The Future is Now (Lexington Books, 2018), Kirk A. Bingaman ventures into how technology informs spiritual care. Himself a professor of pastoral care, Bingaman claims that humans are becoming techno sapiens. Rather than retreating from technology, Bingaman sees the unavoidable development of technology as part of God's ongoing work of "doing a new thing." Consequently, he sees positive means for artificial intelligence that can be embraced in pastoral care. For Bingaman, pastoral and spiritual care in a digital age requires preserving humanity through contemplative spiritual practices, preventing technology from overtaking human identity. Bingaman's book is important for many reasons. First, he asserts that technological change is unav...

Leitourgia

Search This Blog