One of a series of 6 small books dealing in a short and accessible way with the key concerns for Christians. The book is written with a mission to help those people trapped by guilt, and by a very dark view of God as punitive and demanding blood. It presents the central doctrine of the atonement in a wider spiritual framework for Christians in a way which will respond to their spiritual as well as theological needs.

Lorraine Cavanagh

Cover

About the Author

Title page

Imprint

Dedication

Declaration

Introduction

Part 1: Making Sense of Atonement

1. Why atonement?

2. The problem of sin

3. The 'wrath' of God

Part 2: Making Sense of Redemption

4. The redemptive love of God

5. Ongoing redemption

6. If Christ is not risen

Notes

Cavanagh, Lorraine

__How can we be restored to God's love? Is there a way back?__Many people are put off Christianity by the idea of God punishing his Son for our sins. They find it hard to believe in a loving God who appears to be so angry and vindictive. Many also feel that the things Christians teach, publicly or privately, do not work for them in real life.

This book therefore addresses some of the difficult questions that these people are asking. It is also for those who may be wanting to return to their faith, and for those who would like to explore it in greater depth. It aims to create an open theological landscape, which will take account of the many different ways in which we are saved and restored.

Making Sense of God's Love will help to guide seekers towards a new understanding of what it really means to live as people who have been forgiven and brought into an honest and deep relationship with God through the atoning and redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

The book is written with a mission to help those people trapped by guilt, and by a very dark view of God as punitive and demanding blood. It presents the central doctrine of the atonement in a wider spiritual framework for Christians in a way which will respond to their spiritual as well as theological needs.

The Good Book Stall

How I wish I’d been able to read this book aged 18! Brought up on the narrow diet of penal substitution, I have never understood how an all-loving God could willingly and necessarily sacrifice his Son in our place and for our benefit. Quite apart from the theological gymnastics that doctrine requires, it also suggests to me a DNA-type relationship between God and Jesus that is plain nonsense. In place of penal substitution, Lorraine Cavanagh has dished up for us a great deal of common sense.   
This short book is divided into two halves – the first considering ideas of Atonement and the second ideas of Redemption. The importance of the subject is irrefutable for atonement and redemption are foundational theological principles for Christian thought. You cannot be a Christian without giving serious thought to the relationship between the death of Jesus and our own salvation.  
Cavanagh speedily gets to the heart of the matter. Jesus did not suffer instead of humanity but suffers with humanity – that is the significance of the crucifixion of Jesus, Son of God. By aligning his life with our mortal suffering, we in turn can align our redeemed life with his divine majesty. Or as Cavanagh writes: “He becomes as we are in order that we may become as he is”. This inevitably turns redemption (how we are saved) into a process rather than an act. Conversion ceases to be solely that moment of convincement, but becomes instead our ongoing life of discipleship.  
Whether Cavanagh will excite or inspire you will depend on whether you warm to the idea of humanity growing towards God; of us becoming divine. If burdened by one’s own sinfulness, the notion of a sacrificial lamb will remain a comfort. If liberated by our potential as people born in the image of God, the idea that we are co-collaborators with God working to redeem the world through Christ could prove life changing.   
Congratulations Modern Church on a thoroughly accessible read.

Making Sense of God's Love: Atonement and Redemption

Atonement and Redemption

Making Sense of God's Love

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