Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology

by Margaret M. Turek S.T.D.

Overview

This book presents the chief insights concerning the mystery of atonement in the works of four theological guides: John Paul II, Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Norbert Hoffmann.

The author argues for the central importance and perennial value of a theology of atonement, even as she explains the modern aversion to it. The book's central aim is to deepen our understanding of the biblical claim that God shows himself to be love precisely by sending his Son as atonement. "In this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins" (1 Jn 4:10).

The book develops a compelling vision of atonement as a process that originates from and is engendered by God's own power to love. This vision not only takes account of the gravity of sin and its consequences, but also provides a clear illumination of the wholly gratuitous, radically forgiving, passionate and powerful nature of God's redeeming love for mankind. Distinct from the majority of theological accounts of atonement, which focus almost exclusively on the role of Christ, this book highlights the role of God the Father in the atoning mission of the Son.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781621645047
Publisher:	Ignatius Press
Publication date:	04/04/2022
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Margaret M. Turek, S.T.D., Professor of Theology and Chair of Dogmatic Theology at St. Patrick's Seminary and University, received her doctorate in sacred theology at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. Her other publications include Towards a Theology of God the Father.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 11

Introduction 13

The perennial value of a theology of atonement 13

The modern aversion to a theology of atonement 14

Toward a biblical and Trinitarian theology of atonement 19

The unity of a theology and spirituality of atonement 21

The structure of this study 23

1 Atonement in the Old Testament 27

Three factors integral to the process of atonement 28

The Old Testament notion of sin 50

Atonement is the bearing of sin in filial love-suffering 54

Atonement is a process engendered by God 60

God's wrath as a modality of love 64

Forgiveness and atonement are two sides of reciprocal love 71

Vicarious atonement 75

The martyrs' self-sacrifices and the Temple sacrifices 87

The sin of the Gentiles 88

Concluding remarks 93

2 Atonement in the New Testament 95

Crossing the threshold to the New Testament 95

The New Testament notion of creation and divinization "in Christ" 98

The New Testament notion of sin 103

Atonement "once for all" is the bearing of sin by God the Son incarnate 108

Atonement is a work engendered by God the Father 125

The God-forsaken Son reveals the forsaken God, the Father 131

Divine wrath at work in the Cross event 140

Concluding remarks 152

3 Toward a Spiritual Theology of Atonement 155

Christ's "representation" enables us to collaborate as sons in the Son 155

The Holy Spirit and our sonship 163

The universal call to holiness: A call to the vicarious bearing of the guilt of all 165

The witness of saints as vicarious atoners in the Atoner 180

The "excommunicate person" and our mission of co-atonement 188

Mary under the Cross 192

Forgive, as God forgave you in Christ 200

Toward a renewal of the spirituality of atonement 205

Almsgiving as atonement 207

Concluding remarks 226

Conclusion 229

Appendix A Formation of Missionary Disciples (and a word in fairness to Balthasar) 239

Appendix B On God's Impassible Passion of Love 247

Abbreviations 265