Atonement and the New Perspective

Atonement has been described as the central doctrine of Christianity and yet, surprisingly, the church has never insisted on a particular understanding of how redemption in Christ was achieved. Instead, a miscellany of metaphors has been employed, each picturing ""something"" of Christ's work. Recent debate within Reformed Evangelicalism has been characterized by claims for hegemony to be granted to penal substitution versus counter-arguments for a kaleidoscopic, multi-model understanding. Notably absent in these discussions, however, are two considerations. One is any common nexus to draw atonement thought together. The other is any positive theological contribution deriving from God's preexisting relationship with Israel (the presumed role of which has rather been to provide a negative contrast of law-versus-grace and works-versus-faith, as the dark background against which the light of Christ may shine more brightly). Recent scholarship, however--particularly the ""new perspective on Paul""--has comprehensively dismantled the old stereotypes concerning first-century Judaism. This book asks how differently we might think about the atonement once it is brought into conversation with the new scholarship. It concludes by proposing a ""new perspective"" on atonement in which Christ is central, Israel and Torah are affirmed, and the traditional metaphors continue to find their place.

""In his compelling 'new perspective' on the atonement, Burnhope confronts and repairs a pervasive Israel-forgetfulness in atonement theology, and at the same time draws out important theological ramifications of 'the New Perspective on Paul.' Speaking into a lacuna between two significant literatures, his ground-breaking book is at once scripturally resonant and theologically generative.""

--Susannah Ticciati, King's College London

Stephen Burnhope and his wife Lyn currently serve as the Senior Pastors of Aylesbury Vineyard Church, in Buckinghamshire, UK.