Atonement /

As Stump (philosophy, Saint Louis Univ.) uses it, atonement means the death of Jesus to restore the human/divine relationship, which was ruptured by sin. Though atonement is central to Christian theology, one legitimate view of atonement among many theological theories has never been established. Stump considers and criticizes historical theological formulations of atonement, examining their problems and limitations. She seeks to "think through the doctrine of the atonement afresh" through "an exercise in philosophical theology." In chapter 1, Stump writes that for her "atonement" means "at onement," a "making one of things that were previously not at one, namely, God and human beings." Stump looks at the human tendency to wrongdoing (sin) and its nature in relation to guilt, shame, justice, and love. In chapter 10, she writes that her emphases are God's nature as love and "mutual indwelling between God and a human person in grace." Christ takes the deadly stain of sin in himself. When humans cease to resist this "second-person union with God" in love, human shame and sin are vanquished. This "infused grace" leads to union with God. The Spirit indwells a person with the will of faith, "a will that wills to will the good." This is a stimulating work of philosophical theology. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty. --Donald K. McKim, formerly, Memphis Theological Seminary