The Atonement: Its Meaning and Significance [Paperback]

Leon L. Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 6, 1984

Why is the cross the crux of Christianity? What are the meaning and significance of the atomement? The Bible uses a host of terms to illuminate the answers to these questions: covenant, sacrifice, the Day of Atonement, Passover, redemption, reconciliation, propitiation, justification. In plain English Leon Morris explains each of these words, thus opening up for students, pastors and teachers the fuller biblical dimension of God's great salvation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 219 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (April 6, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877848262
• ISBN-13: 978-0877848264
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #279,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The standard work on the atonement, December 16, 2000

By 

E. Johnson (El Cajon, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Atonement: Its Meaning and Significance (Paperback)

There are some books that do such a wonderful job covering a single biblical concept that you wonder, why would anyone else want to write on the topic? I believe Bible scholar Leon Morris has accomplished such a fete with his book on atonement. Although not a skim-through kind of book that might appeal to all Christian laypeople, it is not difficult to read this book word by word and come away with a far greater appreciation of how God worked in both the Old and New Testaments when it comes to the atonement of God. (Trust me, he could have been much more technical and have lost many average readers, but thankfully he doesn't.) He fully describes the words associated with the atonement, including Passover, redemption, reconciliation, and justification. Salvation is such a rich idea, it's a shame many Christians go through life not fully understanding the gift that they've been given.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It doesn't get any better than this, September 22, 2004

By 

Douglas VanderMeulen (Fargo, ND) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Atonement: Its Meaning and Significance (Paperback)

The Atonement - Its meaning and significance is one of the best books ever written on this subject. Much more readable then his work The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross which covers the same material in a much more scholarly manner, this work will open up for you the treasures of the cross of Christ. There is nothing more central to Christianity than the death of Christ - what does it mean. His chapters deal with - covenant, sacrifice, the day of atonement, the passover, redemption, reconciliation, propitiation, and justification. These are Biblical themes that are just not taught on in today's seeker friendly churches - to the hurt of all who truly believe on Christ. Though readable, this work is not short on material. Great work for a Bible class, Bible study, Sunday school class or home Bible study. Also a great gift for your pastor if he doesn't already have this book. Give it to him as a gift and some of it will certainly end up in his sermons. If you are looking for additional material on this subject see John Murray's Redemption Accomplished and Applied. Together these two works rock and will give the reader significant understanding of these vital Christian doctrines. Enjoy!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book on a Short List, November 26, 2007

By 

Rebecca Stark (Yukon) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Atonement: Its Meaning and Significance (Paperback)

I have a very short list of books that I'd put in the must-read category for every Christian, and this book is on it. Of course, there are many excellent books and many important books, but what sets The Atonement apart from many other worthwhile books is that I can recommend it to you and know that no matter who you are, you'll learn something valuable from it, and at the same time, you won't find it too difficult. It isn't pablum, but you won't need to keep a theological dictionary (or even a regular dictionary) nearby to use as you read. And it's short enough for those of you who do a page count first and automatically turn down anything over 250 pages. Yep, this book represents the best of all worlds: dense, but not difficult, and it doesn't drone on.

Leon Morris is more well-known for his scholarly tome The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross. It wouldn't be far wrong to think of The Atonement as the average person's version of The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross. It explains the terms associated with the atonement, words you've probably heard, like "justification" and "sacrifice" and "propitiation," but maybe never understood completely. And of course, understanding the meaning and significance of what was accomplished for us on the cross is one of the most important things for every Christian believer.