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Shape of Soteriology: Studies in the Doctrine of the Death of Christ

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McIntyre's 'The Shape of Soteriology'is a scholarly treatment of the different 'models' that have been used to interpret the Atonement. Discovering rather more models than his predecessors in the field, and emphasising the role of the different models as interpretations of Christ's death designed to speak of Christ's death at different levels or dimensions, McIntyre steers a path in which the different models may not be considered mutually exclusive, and avoids having to deal with many of the problems that liberal theology posed with respect to traditional theories. In addition, the book involves an intelligent discussion of the role of the Holy Spirit in salvation and of the relationship between forgiveness and Atonement. Concerning the latter, the author argues that divine forgiveness is not the rather superficial cancelling or condoning of sin, but God sharing in our shame, and that God's forgiveness is intrinsically costly to him and sacrificial, thus supplying a precedent for the necessity of the Cross for God's forgiveness of humanity.
However, the book, while accomplishing much, demonstrates a level of narrowness: based on lectures given to the Universities of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, its Presbyterian roots are evident, though by no means exclusivist.This book is a 'must' for any serious thought on Christian soteriology, providing a considered and balanced approach and incorporating insights from many fields, however, it should not be read uncritically.

McIntyre's 'The Shape of Soteriology'is a scholarly treatment of the different 'models' that have been used to interpret the Atonement. Discovering rather more models than his predecessors in the field, and emphasising the role of the different models as interpretations of Christ's death designed to speak of Christ's death at different levels or dimensions, McIntyre steers a path in which the different models may not be considered mutually exclusive, and avoids having to deal with many of the problems that liberal theology posed with respect to traditional theories. In addition, the book involves an intelligent discussion of the role of the Holy Spirit in salvation and of the relationship between forgiveness and Atonement. Concerning the latter, the author argues that divine forgiveness is not the rather superficial cancelling or condoning of sin, but God sharing in our shame, and that God's forgiveness is intrinsically costly to him and sacrificial, thus supplying a precedent for the necessity of the Cross for God's forgiveness of humanity.
However, the book, while accomplishing much, demonstrates a level of narrowness: based on lectures given to the Universities of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, its Presbyterian roots are evident, though by no means exclusivist.This book is a 'must' for any serious thought on Christian soteriology, providing a considered and balanced approach and incorporating insights from many fields, however, it should not be read uncritically.