The Nonviolent Atonement [Paperback]

J. Denny Weaver (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2001

This challenging work explores the history of the Christian doctrine of atonement, exposing the intrinsically violent dimensions of the traditional, Anselmian satisfaction atonement view and offering instead a new, thoroughly nonviolent paradigm for understanding atonement based on narrative Christus Victor. The book develops a two-part argument. J. Denny Weaver first develops narrative Christus Victor as a comprehensive, nonviolent atonement motif. The other side of the discussion exposes the assumptions and the accommodation of violence in traditional atonement motifs. The first chapter lays out narrative Christus Victor as nonviolent atonement that reflects the entire biblical story, though paying particular attention to Revelation, the Gospels, and Paul. This biblical discussion also touches on the Old Testament story, Hebrew sacrifices, and the book of Hebrews. Following chapters place narrative Christus Victor in conversation with defenders of Anselm and with representatives of black, feminist, and womanist theologies. These discussions expose an accumulation of dimensions of violence in the several forms of satisfaction atonement. A final substantive chapter analyzes the inadequacy of all attempts to defend Anselm against the recent challenges raised by feminist and womanist perspectives. This analysis lays bare the violent dimensions of satisfaction atonement, which can be camouflaged but not removed. In light of this discussion, Weaver argues that the view of satisfaction atonement must be abandoned and replaced with narrative Christus Victor as the only thoroughly biblical and thoroughly nonviolent alternative.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Evangelical Christians sing hymns in which blood figures prominently; one in particular is called "Nothing But the Blood." Such Christians may have to change their tune after reading J. Denny Weaver's The Non-Violent Atonement, which proposes that the idea of "satisfaction atonement" must be jettisoned in favor of a nonviolent approach. Jesus' death, says Weaver, was not planned or sanctioned by God the Father; it was the inevitable result of sinful humans taking matters into their own hands. Perhaps the new hymn can be called "Everything But the Blood"?

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; 1st Ed. edition (August 28, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802849083
• ISBN-13: 978-0802849083
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #892,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J. Denny Weaver is Professor Emeritus and The Harry and Jean Yoder Scholar in Bible and Religion at Bluffton University where he taught for 31 years. His most recent books include The Nonviolent Atonement, 2nd edition, and the co-authored Defenseless Christianity: Anabaptism for a Nonviolent Church. His many articles and chapters in edited books as well as speaking engagements address a variety of topics related to nonviolence, violence in traditional theology, atonement theology, the character of God, violence in society, and Anabaptist history and theology. He has lectured in the United Kingdom, the Congo, and in Germany. He is editor of The C. Henry Smith Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I closed the book disappointed, September 29, 2001

By 

Clothesline Musings "peace_hawk" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Nonviolent Atonement (Paperback)

I ordered "The Non-Violent Atonement" before it was available and anxiously awaited it arrival. Having followed much of what Weaver has published over the past few years and being sympathetic to his concerns about Anslem atonement motifs, I was ready to be convinced, but finished the book disappointed.
While spending time articulating the Christus Victor motif as seen in scripture, Weaver's argumentation against the defenders of Anslem depends more upon the sensabilities of those of us raised in liberal democracies then the biblical texts. In this way he repeats the strategic mistake he accuses of Anselm who could not see beyond his fuedal culture. He also seems overly dependent upon Walter Wink's conception of the powers as only impersonal structures which then renders Jesus' ministry to the demonics unintelligible.
In closing his critique of abuses of Anselm are wonderful and he gives a adequate, if brief, overview of the Christus Victor motif in scripture. He hits upon a need in theological reflection but his attempt to meet it leaves much to be desired. In the end he seems more concerned with showing that black, feminists, and womanist theologians are on his side than the testimony of the New Testament.

30 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How does Jesus save?, May 14, 2004

By 

Tedd Steele (Naperville, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Nonviolent Atonement (Paperback)

According to Weaver, Jesus saves by living under the evil systems and structures of power, exposing their true nature in his death, and overcoming them in resurrection. In this way, God is not demanding or perpetrating violence and is on the side of the oppressed. This atonement theory stands in distinction from Anselm's articulation of the atonement in which Jesus dies as a punishment for all sin or a payment to God. It is also in opposition to Abelard's understanding that Jesus shows us God's love and the best way to live. To make his case, Weaver relies heavily on theology from groups who speak from the margins of society. It is clear that the goal is to articulate an understanding of God's action in the life of Christ that stands opposed to violence. Read this book if you have ever had the feeling that in Christ God did more than give you an example of how to live or if you have suspected that God didn't have to see blood to feel better about you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and Challenging, September 10, 2011

By 

C. Rose (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Nonviolent Atonement (Paperback)

Prof. Weaver provides a helpful and exhaustive inquiry into the ways Christian theology has sought to reconcile soteriology with Christian ethics, ultimately offering his own, "narrative" twist on Christus Victor. The work continues by examining his salvation schema in light of critiques lodged against violent atonement theories, including critiques found in Black, feminist, and Womanist theologic writing. Drawing on work done by Gusfaf Aulen and Yoder, Weaver's "The Nonviolent Atonement" is an important bridge for anyone looking to link the character of God revealed in Jesus with salvation and ethics. Highly recommend!