The Nonviolent Atonement (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Sharp debates about the death of Jesus sparked by feminist and womanist theologians are the current cutting edge of discussions about Christology and atonement -..." (more)
Key Phrases: satisfaction atonement, atonement images, satisfaction motif, Christus Victor, Orbis Books, Paul the Apostle (more...)

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 Description

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.

A provocative study that cuts to the very heart of Christian thought, The Nonviolent Atonement will be of interest to scholars, students, and pastors.

Product Details

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (November 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 (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #455,348 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	"peace_hawk" (Somerset, Wisconsin United States) - See all my reviews

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.

21 of 26 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 (REAL NAME)

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.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Think Again, August 30, 2008

By	J. Womble (Upstate New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Nonviolent Atonement was loaned to me by my pastor (who had just finished it) in response to some pretty intense "don't make sense to me" questions I had after a complete reading of the Old and New Testaments. It is a very heavy and challenging read, but provided a new perspective on so many questions I had which would no doubt have been considered heretical a century ago and by some perhaps even today.

The case the author makes for reconsidering some of the theology overlaying or added later to the facts of Christ's death and how that theology has distorted His pure gift is compelling. While larger than that, in the Love of God vs. Fear of God continuum it stands comfortably on the side of Love. For me, it made all the pieces surrounding the crucifixion fit with no inconsistencies left outside.