Responsibility and Atonement (Clarendon Paperbacks) - Softcover

Swinburne, Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198248490 ISBN 13: 9780198248491

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA, 1989

Synopsis

According to how we treat others, we acquire merit or guilt, deserve praise or blame, and receive reward or punishment, looking in the end for atonement. In this study distinguished theological philosopher Richard Swinburne examines how these moral concepts apply to humans in their dealings with each other, and analyzes these findings, determining which versions of traditional Christian doctrines--sin and original sin, redemption, sanctification, and heaven and hell--are considered morally acceptable.

About this title

Review:

I am certain that those who decide to take the time to engage Swinburne will find his discussion clear, invigorating, and instructive. In as much as evangelical theology is in need of a sustained defense of the doctrine of the atonement, I believe Swinburne's book deserves renewed attention as to how it might contribute to such an enterprise. (Steve L. Porter, Philosophia Christi, Vol.2, No.2, 2000)

this book is clearly the most comprehensive and thoughtful contemporary work on atonement theory (Steve L. Porter, Philosophia Christi, Vol.2, No.2, 2000)

Richard Swinburne's Responsibility and Atonement significantly furthers this long line of philosophical discussion of the Christian scheme of salvation. (Steve L. Porter, Philosophia Christi, Vol.2, No.2, 2000)

'Professor Swinburne has already written a number of books about belief in God ... this one has its own high value in every sense apart from the financial. Oxford continues to enrich our minds.David L. Edwards, Church Times

'It is scarcely ever possible to mistake the author's meaning ... the book abounds with reasoned religious opinions on difficult and important matters in Christian theology ... Professor Swinburne has re-opened old issues in an interesting way.' Paul Helm, Religious Studies

'this is a compact and cogent work, which generates as many ideas as it does distinctions ... an exemplary work ... Not only that, it demonstrates the end of an era in which clarity in moral reflection was only attained by abandoning religious beliefs.' James F. Keenan, S.J., Fordham University, Theological Studies, Dec '90

`this book has the qualities that we have come to expect from its author. It is lucid, closely reasoned, and reaches firm conclusions. Like Swinburne's earlier books, it clearly merits (de congruo if not de condigno) the attention of both philosophical and doctrinal theologians' New Blackfriars

By trying to produce a detailed and philosophically coherent account of the atonement which is true to biblical texts and Christian tradition, on the one hand, and our moral intuitions, on the other, Swinburne has done us all a great service. Philosophers and theologians interested in the atonement must grapple with the issues raised by Swinburne's account. (Faith and Philosophy)

Synopsis:

This study is based on the Edward Cadbury Lectures given by the author at the University of Birmingham in 1987. It is an account of how moral concepts such as forgiveness, praise, mercy, guilt and punishment and reward apply to human interaction and behaviour. The author attempts to reach conclusions about which versions of traditional Christian doctrines utilizing such notions are morally acceptable. He considers the doctrines of original sin, redemption, sanctification, heaven and hell.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 0198248490
• ISBN 13: 9780198248491
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224