The origins of atonement are found in Paul's writings. Popular Christian theology has understood them to mean that God demanded a bloody victim to pay for human sin. In "Problems with Atonement" Stephen Finlan examines the Christian doctrine of atonement and current debates about it. He considers its biblical foundation in Pauline texts, the Old Testament background, and the theological questions under discussion about atonement. He provides ancient historical background and raises questions, such as whether the Incarnation must be understood through the lens of atonement.
Chapters are...
The origins of atonement are found in Paul's writings. Popular Christian theology has understood them to mean that God demanded a bloody victim to ...
In his previous book, Problems with Atonement, Stephen Finlan compellingly argues that the doctrine of atonement has been more a stumbling block to a true understanding of the relationship between God and humanity than a genuine explanation of how we relate to God and God to us. Options on Atonement reprises these arguments briefly, then looks more closely at the solutions to the problem offered by a variety of modern interpreters. Finlan's focus in this volume is on revelation, on the gradual human absorption of and interpretation of revelation received from God, the maturing of human...
In his previous book, Problems with Atonement, Stephen Finlan compellingly argues that the doctrine of atonement has been more a stumbling block to...
Description: ""'Deification' refers to the transformation of believers into the likeness of God. Of course, Christian monotheism goes against any literal 'god making' of believers. Rather, the NT speaks of a transformation of mind, a metamorphosis of character, a redefinition of selfhood, and an imitation of God. Most of these passages are tantalizingly brief, and none spells out the concept in detail. ""Deification was an important idea in the early church, though it took a long time for one term to emerge as the standard label for the process. That term was qe/wsij, theosis, coined by the...
Description: ""'Deification' refers to the transformation of believers into the likeness of God. Of course, Christian monotheism goes against any lite...
Description: This revised edition of The Family Metaphor in Jesus' Teaching examines the family metaphors for God (Father) and for believers ("children," "brothers") that Jesus chose to use. Jesus not only held up a child as an example of receptivity, but he defended actual children, warning against despising "one of these little ones." Using current discussions of the "equal-regard family" and of the importance of "human fathering," Stephen Finlan explores how the gospel entails a changed model of parenting and of marriage and a new approach to spiritual growth. Endorsements: "In this...
Description: This revised edition of The Family Metaphor in Jesus' Teaching examines the family metaphors for God (Father) and for believers ("childre...
Do bullies have free rein in our churches? Who are the bullies? What is scapegoating? Is it possible to practice the mercy and forgiveness demanded by Gospel ethics while also protecting people from emotional and professional damage? These are some of the questions that Stephen Finlan seeks to answer, looking for an ethic of behavior that is both spiritually valid and psychologically wise. He seeks responses to bullying that are both ""wise"" and ""harmless"" (Matt 10:16), that do not leave people helpless against the cruelty of church bullies. Bullying has become a major concern in schools...
Do bullies have free rein in our churches? Who are the bullies? What is scapegoating? Is it possible to practice the mercy and forgiveness demanded by...
Stephen Finlan surveys sacrifice and atonement and what they may reveal about patterns of injury, guilt, shame, and appeasement. The theories of Sandor Rado, Erik Erikson, and Alice Miller are examined, then Finlan draws conclusions about the moral appropriation or rejection of atonement metaphors.
Stephen Finlan surveys sacrifice and atonement and what they may reveal about patterns of injury, guilt, shame, and appeasement. The theories of Sando...
