Tony Jones provides a thoughtful look into the various theories of the crucifixion of Jesus. He respects the varying theories providing the positives and negatives of each theory. His work is not all encompassing of every atonement theory out there, nor is it all encompassing of the theories present in the book. Rather, it is a distilled version of what was surely years of research into giving the theories presented justice. In the end, he provides his own approach to the crucifixion, a faithful amalgamation of several theories which renders awe, hope, faith, solidarity, peace and love for the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.
The problem this book attempts to satisfy is how should we think about the work of what God and Jesus accomplished during atonement? Is the majority opinion(s) supported or is there a better way to approach the subject of the crucifixion.
Jones starts us in the right place by providing us facts and historical perspective and context to what people have thought about a crucified man 2000 years ago. While that may seem boring to some, fear not, Jones couches the necessary history and context in modern applications and stories. This is a trend that he continues throughout the book. The crucifixion applies to us today, after all, so it makes sense to couch the discussion in how we experience God and what occurred to Jesus on the Cross.
After getting us set up to understand each theory and how they are going to be evaluated, Jones gives justice to each prominent theory in Christendom, including the oft forgotten Eastern Orthodox Church. The special part to me was his delving into the lesser prominent theories of atonement by minority groups. It is always interesting for me to begin to understand Jesus from a different culture.
After allowing each theory to have their say, Jones provides his own approach to the crucfixion. This is not a new theory or an affirmation of any particular theory. It is an encouragement into the power and presence of God experiencing His peace and solidarity with humankind which allows for an open-handed approach to the various theories already set forth.
Jones doesn’t give us an answer per se. Rather, he sets us up to understand God and his experience on the cross as something we can all experience uniquely. After all our God is infinitely unique and creative. It would be rather boring if we all thought of the cross in the same manner. Jones sets us up to experience atonement with God at the front of our minds, keeping our eyes on Jesus, with the freedom that we might not experience it in the same way as someone across the world, country, state, street, or house. And that is ok because God is big enough and humble enough to handle all our views on him and correct us when need be or set us free to interpret him uniquely.