Aspects of the Atonement

Book excerpt: The Christian understanding of the meaning of the death of Jesus Christ and its relationship to the salvation of sinful humanity is currently the subject of intense debate and criticism. In this volume Professor I. Howard Marshall discusses the nature of the human plight in relation to the judgment of God and then offers a nuanced defence of the doctrine of substitutionary death of Jesus Christ for sinners. Professor Marshall shows that the resurrection of Christ, and not simply his death, is an integral part of the process whereby sinners are put in the right with God. In the final chapter is argued that in our communication of the gospel today the New Testament concept of reconciliation may be the most comprehensive and apt expression of the lasting significance of the lasting significance of Christ--from back cover.