Apostles Doctrine of Atonement

by George Smeaton

What is the significance of the coming of Christ and his death on the cross? This question, so central to the Christian faith, has been answered in a wide variety of ways. Theologians today frequently ask how the cross of Christ can be interpreted in categories relevant to modern man. By contrast, George Smeaton rightly believed that the only reliable way to understand the death of Christ was by the careful and systematic exposition of the relevant passages in the New Testament. The result is this fine volume in which we are given careful studies of such passages as 2 Corinthians 5 where Paul expounds the death of Christ as a work of reconciliation, and Galatians 3:13 which speaks of Christ bearing the divine curse, as well as many other texts. The fruit of Smeaton's faithful use of his exceptional gifts as a theologian and exegete, The Apostles' Doctrine of the Atonement is a marvellous study which serves as both a doctrinal treatise on the atonement and a commentary on many of the most important passages in the New Testament.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christianity, Christian

548 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

George Smeaton (1814–1889) was born in Berwickshire in the south of Scotland, and later studied at the University of Edinburgh. He became the minister of Falkland in 1839. At the Disruption in 1843, Smeaton demitted his charge in the Established Church and later that year became the minister of the Auchterarder congregation of the Free Church of Scotland.
In 1853, he took up the Chair of Divinity at the Free Church College in Aberdeen, and in 1857, was transferred to the New College in Edinburgh, where he held the position of Professor of New Testament Exegesis until his death.
Smeaton was held in high regard by his contemporaries—his colleague James
Macgregor thought that Smeaton had the best-constituted theological intellect in Christendom, and Dr Alexander Stewart of Edinburgh said that he was ‘perhaps the most learned theologian in the Free Church and a man of deep and unaffected godliness.’
Smeaton is best known for Christ’s Doctrine of the Atonement and The Apostle’s
Doctrine of the Atonement published in 1868 and 1870 respectively, and his Cunningham Lectures which were published as The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit in 1882, a work which B. B. Warfield considered to be one of the best books on the subject ever published.
Smeaton married Janet Goold in 1840 and had five children, four of whom died before him. The comfort he received from God in the midst of these bereavements enabled him in turn to be a great comforter to those in tribulation. As his obituary noted, ‘In the chamber of sickness and the house of mourning he was ever a welcome visitor, and to the last he did not grudge hours spent every week in this gentle and useful ministry.’

Source: banneroftruth.org

Reviews

[Jared Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry Bridges said this is the best book on the gospel that he had ever read. I agree with him. Exegesis on every passage on the atonement from acts to revelation. Incredible book that will have you worshiping all the way through.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second of two volumes Smeaton wrote on the Atonement. The first was effectively an exposition of the book of John, exploring what the Atonement meant to Jesus in his own Words. It is a staggering book. This one takes up the same subject, but rather than the words of Jesus, it's the words of the Apostles. Smeaton systematically marches through the New Testament epistles and pulls out references to the Atonement. Though different in structure from the first volume, its effect is similar—transformative.

P.S. About halfway through I started calling Smeaton "The Torpedo" because he is absolutely relentless in blasting improper theological interpretations of each passage he highlights. Trigger happy. Firing.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! Smeaton is an unfairly neglected author. His learning was incredible.

[Matthew Prydden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would put both of George Smeaton's works on the Atonement as two of the best and most valuable books that I have ever read. The Atonement is a subject of immense importance and thanks to these two volumes my understanding of it has increased and deepened immensely. This is also a great resource for preachers as George Smeaton works through each Atonement related text in turn.

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smeaton takes the works of the Apostles and thoroughly searches their writings for statements regarding the atoning work of Christ. This book is a true treasure that drives one to the cross and forces him to reason with Scripture through the wonderful work of our Lord and Savior. The appendix at the end gives a historical view of the atonement from the early Church to the reformation and is insightful and informative. Great stuff!!

[Roy Bartle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The exegesis in this book felt more part of a narrative than in his similar work on Christ's sayings on the atonement.