Anyone who is conversant with the various “hot” topics in high-voltage theological circles today is aware that the atonement of Jesus Christ is one such topic.

In fact, the conversation has spilled over to popular Christian circles as well.

The question before the house is – how exactly does Jesus’ death on the cross save humans and forgive them of their sins?

Throughout church history, theologians have offered different explanations. Each explanation has been tagged with a different label: Recapitulation . . . Ransom/Christus Victor . . . Satisfaction . . . Substitution . . . Representation . . . Penal Substitution . . . Moral Government, etc.

Books have been written arguing for one particular explanation or “theory.” Wars have been fought over them. Blood has been drawn.

What McKnight does in A Community Called Atonement: Living Theology is quite remarkable.

First, he describes each of the different atonement explanations as metaphors. And he explains very convincingly why we should view them as such.

Second, he argues that each explanation is valid. Yet each one brings forth a different aspect of the death of Christ that the others do not present so well.

Third, he uses the image of a golf bag containing different golf clubs to describe the different atonement metaphors. Each metaphor of the atonement is like a different kind of golf club. The analogy works pretty well. (In a similar way, I’ve used the five main sacrifices in Leviticus as five images depicting the different aspects of Christ’s atoning work.)

Fourth, instead of taking an either/or approach to the atonement, the book takes a both/and approach and shows how each metaphor is solidly grounded in Scripture and helpfully explains how Christ’s death saves us. In short, the death of Jesus is just too vast to be fully described through the use of a single metaphor (the same is true for the church, for the kingdom of God, and for Christ Himself).

Fifth, McKnight’s explanation of fallen humans being “cracked Eikons” in need of restoration is beautiful.

One of the things I appreciate about McKnight is that he is a New Testament scholar who knows how to write in a fairly popular, accessible way. You don’t have to be a theologian to “get” what he’s talking about. But you do need to be an intelligent reader (that being interpreted means that if you only read fiction novels, the book may be a challenge).

Further, McKnight has a high view of Scripture and Christian orthodoxy, so all of his arguments are rooted in both.

Back in May, I blogged about the atonement of Jesus very briefly. If you resonated with that at all, I believe you’ll enjoy and profit from A Community Called Atonement.

All told: the book is my first choice to give to anyone wanting to know what the Bible and church history teach about the atonement. For me, it settles the controversy surrounding the subject. And few books can live up to that accolade in my opinion.