This is an exceptional book. It centers on the meaning of the atoning death of Jesus but is much more than just another book on atonement theology. It sets forth - in conjunction with Gorman's other books on Cruciformity (especially Inhabiting the Cruciform God) - the core NT calling to discipleship of participation in the crucified (resurrected) Messiah; which is participation in the very nature of God himself (2Pet. 1:4 - "partakers of the divine nature"). This calling to deeply cruciform (cross-shaped) living is so upside down to the world - and much of modern Christianity - that it is a vitally relevant message. Gorman gives a close reading to a large number of biblical texts.
With respect to atonement matters, Gorman focuses on what he believes is the central point of the work of Christ: to create a cruciform community of people through instituting a "new covenant in his blood." Such communities are intended to be deeply shaped by the cross - to reflect and look like the crucified messiah - and to bring peace to the world by exhibiting the life and sacrifice of Christ. This focus relegates the "how" of the atonement and the debates over Substitution, Christus Victor, Examplary, and other atonement models. to a second-tier importance. Gorman appears to lean toward a Kaleidoscope perspective (borrowing from Joel Green) that incorporates all these models. Gorman argues further that all such theories addressing the "how" of Christ's atoning death, can fit within his model of creating a new covenant community of people not only saved by but shaped by the cross.
Perhaps most importantly, with respect to atonement, Gorman notes that the "how" is ultimately a mystery. There are many "pictures" or metaphors of how the cross brings forgiveness but these are ultimately a mystery. The "how" is not only a mystery of sorts, it is not the central point of the atoning death of Christ. Most important is to see that we are a forgiven community through Jesus, called to suffer and sacrifice with him - in co-participation with Christ Crucified - participating in this New Covenant. The creation of a New Community through the New Covenant in Christ's blood (e.g., Lk. 22:19) is at the heart of the atonement for Gorman. This also has great implications for the mission of God in the gospel and church.
Gorman makes a powerful call for peace through the last third of the book. This too is an important piece of atonement theology perhaps overlooked in terms of it's depth of focus in many circles. Within this Gorman appears to lean toward a pacifist perspective though he does not use that label (as I recall). And this is not expanded upon in great detail (It is presented subtly and certainly with grace - less stridently than many argue). Much of what Gorman argues resonates well here with the call to cruciform peace. And, that Christ defeated evil by dying on the cross at the hands of evil is a deeply thought-provoking consideration with which Christians should wrestle honestly and engage as fairly and objectively as possible.
I was slightly disappointed that Romans 13:1-7 (especially in light of the contextual call to peace in Romans 12) was not discussed. I realize there are constraints of length and that perhaps Dr. Gorman did not want to open that door for a full discussion of such issues which may have distracted from the central thesis of the book. And, I recognize there are different scholarly perspectives on this passage itself.
That topic, however, is not the central or only theme of the book and don't want my observations to distract from what is a phenomenal and, in my view, invaluable and timely message for Christians today. I think Gorman's theology of the cross expounds on and explains the central NT theological point. It is a crucial, timely, and timeless message to be heard again and again in NT communities. In fact, one can almost breeze over the atonement debate issues and still find great value in a fresh understanding of the meaning of the cross - even on a very practical level.
I found the book readable but not a fast read by any means. Many books on theology are so filled with technical terminology they become difficult and quite inaccessible. Though this has a few technical terms involved and is densely textured and weighty, it is still ultimately accessible (more so than many such theologies) to one with a decent understanding of the New Testament.
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2014
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