The atonement is central to Christianity—orthodox theology rises and falls with the doctrine of the atonement. Yet throughout history, theologians have offered numerous theories of the atonement, some causing controversy, others gaining wide acceptance. In Vicarious Atonement through Christ, Berkhof interacts with thinkers from the church’s entire history, such as Anselm, Abelard, Aquinas, Duns Scotus, Grotius, and others to explain the development and current status of the atonement. He also writes at length on the status of the atonement in the context of the Reformation and the subsequent relationship between the atonement and notions of the covenant. Berkhof concludes with addresses to objections to the atonement, especially the Calvinist doctrine of limited atonement.
The atonement is central to Christianity—orthodox theology rises and falls with the doctrine of the atonement. Yet throughout history, theologians have offered numerous theories of the atonement, some causing controversy, others gaining wide acceptance. In Vicarious Atonement through Christ, Berkhof interacts with thinkers from the church’s entire history, such as Anselm, Abelard, Aquinas, Duns Scotus, Grotius, and others to explain the development and current status of the atonement. He also writes at length on the status of the atonement in the context of the Reformation and the subsequent relationship between the atonement and notions of the covenant. Berkhof concludes with addresses to objections to the atonement, especially the Calvinist doctrine of limited atonement.