This book analyzes the relationship between forgiveness, atonement, and reconciliation from a Christian theological perspective. Drawing on both theological and philosophical literature, it addresses the problem of whether atonement is required for forgiveness and considers important related concepts such as sin and justice. The author develops a sacrificial model of atonement that connects an understanding of Christian forgiveness with the biblical narrative of Christ’s sacrifice and makes reconciliation between God and humanity possible. Offering a fresh and coherent argument, the book will be relevant to scholars of Christian theology, biblical studies, and the philosophy of religion.
Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments; Copyright Note; Introduction; 1. Value-Driven Inquiry & Exegetically-Engaged Analytic Theology; 2. Original Sin & the Biblical Witness Concerning Forgiveness; 3. Forgiveness: A Christian Account; 4. The Problem of Sin for Humanity and Its Members; 5. Retribution and Restoration in the Narrative of Scripture; 6. On Non-Retributive Penal Substitution; 7. What Should We Expect from an Explanation of Atonement?; 8. For Us, an Atoning Sacrifice; 9. Forgiveness and Atonement: The Expanded Sacrificial Account; Index
About the Author :
Jonathan C. Rutledge is a Research Fellow in the Center for Philosophy of Religion at the University of Notre Dame, USA, and previously held a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Logos Institute for Analytic and Exegetical Theology, University of St Andrews, UK. He has a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Oklahoma and in divinity from the University of St Andrews.
Review :
"Millions of words have been devoted to analyzing the nature of forgiveness; even more words have been devoted to offering an account of the atonement that the New Testament declares to have been effected by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Anyone who undertakes to add his own words to those millions must have something new to say on these topics. Jonathan Rutledge does indeed have something new to say; and he says it with lucid prose and compelling argumentation, backed up by astounding acquaintance with the relevant interdisciplinary literature." - Nicholas Wolterstorff, Yale University, USA
"Rutledge’s combination of exegesis with analytic philosophical tools and his value theory approach to forgiveness facilitate clarity and precision in theological argumentation and formulation. As such, this methodological approach ought to serve as a model to scholars who desire to work in the burgeoning field of analytic theology. Truly, the sophistication of his treatment of forgiveness stands out and moves forward our understanding of this vastly important topic. [...] The uniqueness of Rutledge’s thesis and the thoroughness of his argumentation make this a welcome addition to the literature on the topic and, as such, it ought to be consulted by any student or scholar who is interested in soteriology." - Thomas Haviland-Pabst in Criswell Theological Review
