The Death of the Messiah and the Birth of the New Covenant: A (Not So) New Model of the Atonement

This is an exceptional book. It centers on the meaning of the atoning death of Jesus but is much more than just another book on atonement theology. It sets forth - in conjunction with Gorman's other books on Cruciformity (especially Inhabiting the Cruciform God) - the core NT calling to discipleship of participation in the crucified (resurrected) Messiah; which is participation in the very nature of God himself (2Pet. 1:4 - "partakers of the divine nature"). This calling to deeply cruciform (cross-shaped) living is so upside down to the world - and much of modern Christianity - that it is a vitally relevant message. Gorman gives a close reading to a large number of biblical texts.With respect to atonement matters, Gorman focuses on what he believes is the central point of the work of Christ: to create a cruciform community of people through instituting a "new covenant in his blood." Such communities are intended to be deeply shaped by the cross - to reflect and look like the crucified messiah - and to bring peace to the world by exhibiting the life and sacrifice of Christ. This focus relegates the "how" of the atonement and the debates over Substitution, Christus Victor, Examplary, and other atonement models. to a second-tier importance. Gorman appears to lean toward a Kaleidoscope perspective (borrowing from Joel Green) that incorporates all these models. Gorman argues further that all such theories addressing the "how" of Christ's atoning death, can fit within his model of creating a new covenant community of people not only saved by but shaped by the cross.Perhaps most importantly, with respect to atonement, Gorman notes that the "how" is ultimately a mystery. There are many "pictures" or metaphors of how the cross brings forgiveness but these are ultimately a mystery. The "how" is not only a mystery of sorts, it is not the central point of the atoning death of Christ. Most important is to see that we are a forgiven community through Jesus, called to suffer and sacrifice with him - in co-participation with Christ Crucified - participating in this New Covenant. The creation of a New Community through the New Covenant in Christ's blood (e.g., Lk. 22:19) is at the heart of the atonement for Gorman. This also has great implications for the mission of God in the gospel and church.Gorman makes a powerful call for peace through the last third of the book. This too is an important piece of atonement theology perhaps overlooked in terms of it's depth of focus in many circles. Within this Gorman appears to lean toward a pacifist perspective though he does not use that label (as I recall). And this is not expanded upon in great detail (It is presented subtly and certainly with grace - less stridently than many argue). Much of what Gorman argues resonates well here with the call to cruciform peace. And, that Christ defeated evil by dying on the cross at the hands of evil is a deeply thought-provoking consideration with which Christians should wrestle honestly and engage as fairly and objectively as possible.I was slightly disappointed that Romans 13:1-7 (especially in light of the contextual call to peace in Romans 12) was not discussed. I realize there are constraints of length and that perhaps Dr. Gorman did not want to open that door for a full discussion of such issues which may have distracted from the central thesis of the book. And, I recognize there are different scholarly perspectives on this passage itself.That topic, however, is not the central or only theme of the book and don't want my observations to distract from what is a phenomenal and, in my view, invaluable and timely message for Christians today. I think Gorman's theology of the cross expounds on and explains the central NT theological point. It is a crucial, timely, and timeless message to be heard again and again in NT communities. In fact, one can almost breeze over the atonement debate issues and still find great value in a fresh understanding of the meaning of the cross - even on a very practical level.I found the book readable but not a fast read by any means. Many books on theology are so filled with technical terminology they become difficult and quite inaccessible. Though this has a few technical terms involved and is densely textured and weighty, it is still ultimately accessible (more so than many such theologies) to one with a decent understanding of the New Testament.

Michael Gorman is one of my favorite scholars and this book is a perfect example of why. His heart for discipleship as well as for the Church to have a robust theology is so evident in everything he writes. Digging into the “what it means” instead of simply the “mechanics” of atonement is so helpful. This book and the model set forth for the atonement is as focused on what it means and what it should look like to be a member of the new covenant family as it is about “how” we are united with Christ. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in gaining a more profound understanding of Jesus and what his life, death and resurrection achieved.

The author does not convince that there is a need for a 'new covenant model for the atonement', neither scripturally nor logically. As he admits, the NT writers used a number of metaphors to describe the new relationship between God and believers: adoption, marriage, master and servant, inheritors, covenant. But NT writers describe the atonement itself as a sacrificial death, taking our place, as prefigured by the Passover lamb and the Day of Atonement offering. (The author's description of the effects of new covenant living are perfectly fine.) I was troubled by this scholarly habit of reifying metaphorical abstractions as though they were the reality itself, 'covenant' for instance. Such a word is a description of a spiritual, existential reality, not the reality itself. For followers, Jesus is our Passover, our Sabbath and peace, our covenant, our way and truth and new life, our promised land, our kingdom: us in Him and He in us, forever. Our faith is in a person, not a system. And whatever tasks followers are called by the Spirit to accomplish in this age or that to come are done out of love for that person, not out of externalities. This is the miraculous innovation that God brought into being at the cross. Seeing the new 'covenant' as merely an extension of the Mosaic covenant, as the author implies, is to leave the chains of externalities intact.

This book is a highly stimulating book. It presents a challenge to sticking to only one view of out of the atonement theories. While Gorman differentiates his view from the other, calling it more comprehensive and ultimate, he incorporates the various other atonement theories into his view of a new covenantal model.I believe this book is for those who wish to understand the practical applications of the Atonement. It is a theory not so much discussed in churches. But, we have our own presuppositions that we carry with us that gravely misunderstand the biblical narrative. This book helps to combat these presuppositions and helps integrate some practicality to the atonement. If a church is looking to find ways to preach a more lively understanding of the cross, I would start with this book.

Gorman's book is exceptional. This quote from page 233 summarizes his main point: "Christ's death effected the new covenant, meaning specifically the creation of a new-covenant community of forgiven and reconciled disciples, inhabited and empowered by the Spirit to embody a new-covenant spirituality of cruciform loyalty to God and love for others, thereby participating in the life of God and in God's forgiving, reconciling, and covenanting mission to the world." Each chapter fills out the meaning of this quote, and each chapter is a joy to read. Gorman writes in a very accessibly style. He also includes scriptural quotations so one doesn't have to have a Bible on hand.

This book opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking about atonement that I've heard no where else. Fascinating history and superb exposition of the pivot of history. Loved it.

All good thanks