What do you think?
Rate this book
Short Studies in Systematic Theology
The Atonement: An Introduction
A Concise Introduction to the Doctrine of the Atonement The atonement is central to Christian theology and essential for following Jesus. In this addition to the Short Studies in Systematic Theology series, pastor Jeremy Treat explains what Scripture teaches about the atonement and how it impacts one’s daily life. Treat demonstrates that the death of Christ is a multi-dimensional work within the story of the kingdom of God. While the accomplishments of the cross are unending (including forgiveness, victory, and renewal), the heart of the cross is substitution―Jesus dying on behalf of sinners. Christ’s atoning work reconciles believers to God and to one another, calling them to a life of obedience. This book presents a kingdom-framed, substitution-centered, Trinitarian, integrated, communal, and life-changing approach to the doctrine of atonement.
192 pages, Paperback
Published August 22, 2023
29 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy R. Treat
7 books22 followersJeremy R. Treat (PhD, Wheaton College) is a pastor at Reality LA in Hollywood, California, and an adjunct professor at Biola University in La Mirada, California. Before earning his PhD in systematic theology from Wheaton College, Jeremy was a pastor for seven years in the Seattle area and earned degrees from Seattle Pacific University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 13, 2025
Great introduction to the atonement. He was so strong on CV via PSA, Trinitarianism, Christology, Union with Christ, etc. Look forward to reading more from Treat. Highly recommend.
August 10, 2024
Maybe 4.5 stars
This little book is pretty great. This is the first of the Short Studies in Systematic Theology series I’ve read, but I’ll certainly be checking out others. The preface states that the goal of each book is “to be brief yet accurate. The key aim is that the simpler is not to morph into the simplistic. The test is whether the topic of a short study, when further studied in depth, requires some unlearning to take place. The simple can be amplified. The simplistic needs to be corrected.” This volume marvelously succeeds at its intended purpose.
Treat insists that the heart of atonement is the idea of substitution. This is a covenantal exchange, meaning that Christ takes our place and that we take his.
* He died so that we can live.
* He was cursed so that we can be blessed.
* He was wounded so that we can be healed.
* He went into exile so that we can be at home.
* He was crushed so that we can be made whole.
* He carried our guilt so that we can be forgiven.
* He bore our shame so that we can receive honor.
* He experienced defeat so that we can have victory.
* He was condemned so that we can be declared innocent.
* He took our moral stains so that we can be washed clean.
* He was plunged into darkness so that we can walk in the light.
Treat cautions against using “theories” to describe the doctrine of atonement and instead prefers to focus on “dimensions“ of the atonement. There are many dimensions or facets of atonement discussed in scripture and each of these should be fully appreciated. These include: glorification, reconciliation, propitiation, victory, redemption, justification, sanctification, removal of shame, new covenant, revelation, return from exile, adoption, apocalypse, healing, temple, example, forgiveness, theosis, immortality, and shalom.
Here is a summarizing quote from the concluding chapter:
“This book has put forth a view of the atonement as a multidimensional accomplishment within the story of the kingdom of God. While there are never-ending dimensions (healing, victory, propitiation, liberation, forgiveness, and so on), the heart of atonement is that Christ died as our substitute in our place and for our sins. That he died for our sins (not just my sins) is key, for community is not a mere implication of the atonement but rather is intrinsic to it. Furthermore, the doctrine of atonement ought to renew our minds and transform our lives. Through union with Christ by the Spirit, we are able to receive and experience all the blessings of Christ's atoning work, both now and forevermore. In short, I am advocating for a doctrine of atonement that is kingdom framed, substitution centered, multidimensional, integrated, communal, life changing, and thoroughly Trinitiarian.”
This little book is pretty great. This is the first of the Short Studies in Systematic Theology series I’ve read, but I’ll certainly be checking out others. The preface states that the goal of each book is “to be brief yet accurate. The key aim is that the simpler is not to morph into the simplistic. The test is whether the topic of a short study, when further studied in depth, requires some unlearning to take place. The simple can be amplified. The simplistic needs to be corrected.” This volume marvelously succeeds at its intended purpose.
Treat insists that the heart of atonement is the idea of substitution. This is a covenantal exchange, meaning that Christ takes our place and that we take his.
* He died so that we can live.
* He was cursed so that we can be blessed.
* He was wounded so that we can be healed.
* He went into exile so that we can be at home.
* He was crushed so that we can be made whole.
* He carried our guilt so that we can be forgiven.
* He bore our shame so that we can receive honor.
* He experienced defeat so that we can have victory.
* He was condemned so that we can be declared innocent.
* He took our moral stains so that we can be washed clean.
* He was plunged into darkness so that we can walk in the light.
Treat cautions against using “theories” to describe the doctrine of atonement and instead prefers to focus on “dimensions“ of the atonement. There are many dimensions or facets of atonement discussed in scripture and each of these should be fully appreciated. These include: glorification, reconciliation, propitiation, victory, redemption, justification, sanctification, removal of shame, new covenant, revelation, return from exile, adoption, apocalypse, healing, temple, example, forgiveness, theosis, immortality, and shalom.
Here is a summarizing quote from the concluding chapter:
“This book has put forth a view of the atonement as a multidimensional accomplishment within the story of the kingdom of God. While there are never-ending dimensions (healing, victory, propitiation, liberation, forgiveness, and so on), the heart of atonement is that Christ died as our substitute in our place and for our sins. That he died for our sins (not just my sins) is key, for community is not a mere implication of the atonement but rather is intrinsic to it. Furthermore, the doctrine of atonement ought to renew our minds and transform our lives. Through union with Christ by the Spirit, we are able to receive and experience all the blessings of Christ's atoning work, both now and forevermore. In short, I am advocating for a doctrine of atonement that is kingdom framed, substitution centered, multidimensional, integrated, communal, life changing, and thoroughly Trinitiarian.”
December 27, 2023
This book is my new go-to recommendation for books on the atonement.
Treat eschews theories/models (and the attendant reductionism with those concepts) for a multidimensional approach to the atonement. This allows him to make more sense of the scriptural language used with reference to Christ’s life and work. Though he argues that substitution is at the heart of the atonement, it is not the “whole” atonement. That is, he doesn’t want us to confuse the “how” of the atonement with the “what” (that is, what it accomplishes). And so the whole third chapter is a marvelous portrait of the language that Scripture uses to talk about the achievement of the atonement, words like “reconciliation, “return from exile,” “adoption,” or “healing” (plus 16 more!). Treat’s approach to the atonement helps us to see the glory of all that substitution accomplishes.
However, Treat also works to show how these dimensions cohere with one another. He rightly points out that Scripture holds these metaphors in balance - and he also very helpfully notes that this is true in church history, too (ie, Abelard is more than an exemplarist, Anselm’s work represents more than just the satisfaction theory, etc.). Central to this coherence is the doctrine of God, particularly God’s simplicity.
He ends the book with two chapters on the relationship between the atonement and the church and the atonement and the Christian life. These final two chapters are nice continued explorations of how the atonement integrates into other aspects of Christian theology.
Treat’s book is wonderful. He vigorously defends substitution while acknowledging how some of its proponents have made a mess of this doctrine, neglecting to set it within its Trinitarian context. Treat aims for an atonement theology that is thoroughly Trinitarian. The book also represents a mode of theological writing that is warm and pastoral. It ends up being a magnificent little work of theology for the church.
“The doctrine of atonement is like a medicine cabinet for weary souls.” (93)
Treat eschews theories/models (and the attendant reductionism with those concepts) for a multidimensional approach to the atonement. This allows him to make more sense of the scriptural language used with reference to Christ’s life and work. Though he argues that substitution is at the heart of the atonement, it is not the “whole” atonement. That is, he doesn’t want us to confuse the “how” of the atonement with the “what” (that is, what it accomplishes). And so the whole third chapter is a marvelous portrait of the language that Scripture uses to talk about the achievement of the atonement, words like “reconciliation, “return from exile,” “adoption,” or “healing” (plus 16 more!). Treat’s approach to the atonement helps us to see the glory of all that substitution accomplishes.
However, Treat also works to show how these dimensions cohere with one another. He rightly points out that Scripture holds these metaphors in balance - and he also very helpfully notes that this is true in church history, too (ie, Abelard is more than an exemplarist, Anselm’s work represents more than just the satisfaction theory, etc.). Central to this coherence is the doctrine of God, particularly God’s simplicity.
He ends the book with two chapters on the relationship between the atonement and the church and the atonement and the Christian life. These final two chapters are nice continued explorations of how the atonement integrates into other aspects of Christian theology.
Treat’s book is wonderful. He vigorously defends substitution while acknowledging how some of its proponents have made a mess of this doctrine, neglecting to set it within its Trinitarian context. Treat aims for an atonement theology that is thoroughly Trinitarian. The book also represents a mode of theological writing that is warm and pastoral. It ends up being a magnificent little work of theology for the church.
“The doctrine of atonement is like a medicine cabinet for weary souls.” (93)
April 1, 2024
I finished this one a couple of weeks ago, but I am finally getting around to writing a review. This is the second book in this series that I’ve read and they have both been great. While Sander’s treatment of the Holy Spirit was excellent, I enjoyed Treat’s Introduction to the Atonement even more.
As our world becomes more and more polarizing in all things, I often find myself somewhere in the middle. Not in a cop out sort of way, but I hope in a “I think this is the Jesus way” sort of way. Treat models this approach as he pushes against both what he calls the error of “one-dimensional reductionism, which focuses on one aspect or theory of the atonement to the exclusion of all others,” and what he calls a “disconnected plurality…[that] celebrates the many dimensions of Christ’s atoning work but lacks integration and balance, resulting in a smorgasbord approach based on preference or context.” He does a great job of showing how the cross is a multidimensional work while keeping the Trinity and the idea of substitution central at all times.
Treat’s book was also helpful in preparing for a Good Friday homily on propitiation. I would heartily recommend it to anyone, especially those who are looking to go deeper in the area of the atonement, but who find some larger works intimidating as a first step.
As our world becomes more and more polarizing in all things, I often find myself somewhere in the middle. Not in a cop out sort of way, but I hope in a “I think this is the Jesus way” sort of way. Treat models this approach as he pushes against both what he calls the error of “one-dimensional reductionism, which focuses on one aspect or theory of the atonement to the exclusion of all others,” and what he calls a “disconnected plurality…[that] celebrates the many dimensions of Christ’s atoning work but lacks integration and balance, resulting in a smorgasbord approach based on preference or context.” He does a great job of showing how the cross is a multidimensional work while keeping the Trinity and the idea of substitution central at all times.
Treat’s book was also helpful in preparing for a Good Friday homily on propitiation. I would heartily recommend it to anyone, especially those who are looking to go deeper in the area of the atonement, but who find some larger works intimidating as a first step.
January 14, 2025
Brilliant short treatment on the atonement. Chapter 3’s list of 20 dimensions of the atonement was a particular highlight.
March 1, 2025
Truly excellent. So excited to use this to teach on soteriology for our aspiring missionaries.
November 7, 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
A QUICK CONFESSION
I really wasn't that interested in this volume. I got it because I'm a completionist—the rest of the topics in this series so far (and those I've heard are coming) intrigued me. This seemed too narrow a topic, honestly, maybe one that would fit better under a larger topic like the Work of Christ—a companion piece to The Person of Christ: An Introduction .
It took me very little time to realize that I really appreciated Treat's approach to and Treatment of the subject and that I was very glad I'd bought this. It's easily one of my favorites in the series (something I'll be repeating soon when I talk about The Holy Spirit: An Introduction, I have to admit).
Now that I've set the bar low for the rest of this, how about we move on to:
WHAT'S THE ATONEMENT: AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT?
Treat definitely doesn't take a reductionistic approach to his subject—but he doesn't try to spread it too far, either. What he does do is take a panoramic look at the subject—trying to take in the scope of the doctrine, even if this introduction can't get into the nitty-gritty details. I feel silly putting it this way, but the book really is a systematic/dogmatic introduction to the Doctrine of the Atonement—exploring what it is and why it matters.
Treat quickly points out that he has no desire to promote any of the various and popular theories regarding the Atonement so popular over the last century or so. He doesn't care to deal with theories when it comes to this, he wants to focus on what we do know about the doctrine—and sure, as he admits, what he's saying sounds a lot like the Penal Substitutionary Theory, but it also sounds like the Moral Influence Theory and Governmental Theories—because he's trying to make sure his doctrine of the Atonement takes in and accounts for all the data.*
* I'd note that every Reformed expositor/defender of the Penal Substitutionary Theory that I've encountered over the last couple of decades would have the same understanding of Governmental and Moral Influence, So it's not revolutionary—as much as Treat's disdain for the ideal of "theories" may be unfamiliar.
He attempts to keep things focused on the eschaton, and the Atonement's role in it, as well as a Kingdom-wide understanding—so that the reign of Christ is seen in view of his Atoning work. The last couple of chapters focus on the effects of the Atonement on the Church and believers.
AN ADDED BONUS
Treat cites—at least in the epigraphs of each chapter, but generally more frequently—"majority world scholars." "[S]ince the atonement is a global accomplishment, it will be best understood from a global perspective."
That's probably true of most of the topics in this series on Systematics—if not more of Christian dogma. But I appreciate Treat focusing on this and bringing in teachers/writers from all over the globe into his presentation in this book.
TRINITARIAN FOCUS
Early on in the book, Treat quotes Hans Urs von Balthasar, “The events of the cross can only be interpreted against the background of the Trinity.” This forms a substantial part of his position, and it's something he covers well and thoroughly.
Failure to acknowledge or stress this is part of the reductionism that Treat tries to battle throughout the book. While I applaud this battle each time he engages in it—but his stress on the Trinitarian nature of the Atonement is perhaps my favorite part of the book. It's so often overlooked or skimmed past—but Treat doesn't allow the reader to do that—and we're rewarded by that.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE ATONEMENT: AN INTRODUCTION?
I already gave that away, didn't I? This really impressed me, changed my mind about the use of a book like it, and helped me refocus my understanding of the doctrine's place—it also helped me be able to reframe things around the various "theories" of the atonement.
It's not the easiest read in this series—but it's by no means difficult. Treat writes in a compellingly clear way, but not one that doesn't require thought to interact with. I found his style engaging and careful—a great combination when you're considering the essential doctrines of the Faith.
This isn't a book that spends any time on things like the "extent" of the Atonement—it's about the purpose, means, and end of Christ's great work. Sure, that has implications for questions about the extent, but that's not what Treat wants to focus on here.
I won't say the book is perfect—but I can't think of any substantial problems at this point, and didn't make any notes expressing concerns. I'm sure I—and most readers—would find a point or three to quibble with or push back against. But those are going to be so minor as to make no real difference in the overall estimation of the book.
Careful, challenging, encouraging, and centered on the great storyline of the Bible, with a focus on the eschatological promises and glories—exactly what we need more of. The Atonement: An Introduction is definitely one I recommend.
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
Here is my approach to the atonement in a nutshell: The death of Christ is a multidimensional accomplishment within the story that begins in the garden and culminates in the kingdom. While the achievements of the cross (forgiveness, victory, adoption, and so on) are unending, the heart of the cross, out of which everything flows and finds its coherence, is Christ dying in our place for our sins. The atoning work of Christ not only reconciles sinners to God but also to one another, calling us into a life of taking up our crosses as we follow our King. In other words, we need a kingdom-framed, substitution-centered, multidimensional, integrated, communal, life-changing approach to the doctrine of atonement.
A QUICK CONFESSION
I really wasn't that interested in this volume. I got it because I'm a completionist—the rest of the topics in this series so far (and those I've heard are coming) intrigued me. This seemed too narrow a topic, honestly, maybe one that would fit better under a larger topic like the Work of Christ—a companion piece to The Person of Christ: An Introduction .
It took me very little time to realize that I really appreciated Treat's approach to and Treatment of the subject and that I was very glad I'd bought this. It's easily one of my favorites in the series (something I'll be repeating soon when I talk about The Holy Spirit: An Introduction, I have to admit).
Now that I've set the bar low for the rest of this, how about we move on to:
WHAT'S THE ATONEMENT: AN INTRODUCTION ABOUT?
Atonement theology, especially at the popular level, has been plagued by reductionism. Whether limiting Christ’s work to a purely spiritual salvation or only focusing on one of the dimensions of his work, many have truncated the breadth of Christ’s atoning death. A kingdom framework gives a comprehensive view of salvation, encompassing the renewal of heaven and earth while embracing the many dimensions of the atonement.
Treat definitely doesn't take a reductionistic approach to his subject—but he doesn't try to spread it too far, either. What he does do is take a panoramic look at the subject—trying to take in the scope of the doctrine, even if this introduction can't get into the nitty-gritty details. I feel silly putting it this way, but the book really is a systematic/dogmatic introduction to the Doctrine of the Atonement—exploring what it is and why it matters.
Treat quickly points out that he has no desire to promote any of the various and popular theories regarding the Atonement so popular over the last century or so. He doesn't care to deal with theories when it comes to this, he wants to focus on what we do know about the doctrine—and sure, as he admits, what he's saying sounds a lot like the Penal Substitutionary Theory, but it also sounds like the Moral Influence Theory and Governmental Theories—because he's trying to make sure his doctrine of the Atonement takes in and accounts for all the data.*
* I'd note that every Reformed expositor/defender of the Penal Substitutionary Theory that I've encountered over the last couple of decades would have the same understanding of Governmental and Moral Influence, So it's not revolutionary—as much as Treat's disdain for the ideal of "theories" may be unfamiliar.
He attempts to keep things focused on the eschaton, and the Atonement's role in it, as well as a Kingdom-wide understanding—so that the reign of Christ is seen in view of his Atoning work. The last couple of chapters focus on the effects of the Atonement on the Church and believers.
AN ADDED BONUS
Treat cites—at least in the epigraphs of each chapter, but generally more frequently—"majority world scholars." "[S]ince the atonement is a global accomplishment, it will be best understood from a global perspective."
That's probably true of most of the topics in this series on Systematics—if not more of Christian dogma. But I appreciate Treat focusing on this and bringing in teachers/writers from all over the globe into his presentation in this book.
TRINITARIAN FOCUS
Early on in the book, Treat quotes Hans Urs von Balthasar, “The events of the cross can only be interpreted against the background of the Trinity.” This forms a substantial part of his position, and it's something he covers well and thoroughly.
While the doctrine of atonement is centered on Christ, we cannot think of Jesus as an independent individual but as the Son of the Father who is empowered by the Spirit. Atonement is a work of the triune God through and through. On the cross, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were at work together for the salvation of sinners.
Failure to acknowledge or stress this is part of the reductionism that Treat tries to battle throughout the book. While I applaud this battle each time he engages in it—but his stress on the Trinitarian nature of the Atonement is perhaps my favorite part of the book. It's so often overlooked or skimmed past—but Treat doesn't allow the reader to do that—and we're rewarded by that.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE ATONEMENT: AN INTRODUCTION?
While early Christians were mocked for their belief in the cross, Christians today have often domesticated the cross to make it more palatable for a modern society. Whether placed on a calendar in a Christian bookstore, tattooed on an arm, or elevated above a city skyline, we have tamed the cross and turned it into a decorative pleasantry. But only when we see the horror of the cross will we be ready to understand the glory of the cross.
I already gave that away, didn't I? This really impressed me, changed my mind about the use of a book like it, and helped me refocus my understanding of the doctrine's place—it also helped me be able to reframe things around the various "theories" of the atonement.
It's not the easiest read in this series—but it's by no means difficult. Treat writes in a compellingly clear way, but not one that doesn't require thought to interact with. I found his style engaging and careful—a great combination when you're considering the essential doctrines of the Faith.
This isn't a book that spends any time on things like the "extent" of the Atonement—it's about the purpose, means, and end of Christ's great work. Sure, that has implications for questions about the extent, but that's not what Treat wants to focus on here.
I won't say the book is perfect—but I can't think of any substantial problems at this point, and didn't make any notes expressing concerns. I'm sure I—and most readers—would find a point or three to quibble with or push back against. But those are going to be so minor as to make no real difference in the overall estimation of the book.
Careful, challenging, encouraging, and centered on the great storyline of the Bible, with a focus on the eschatological promises and glories—exactly what we need more of. The Atonement: An Introduction is definitely one I recommend.
February 12, 2025
I’m a bit confused on who the target readers for this series are. When I read “introduction” I think “lay level.” But the two books from this series I have read seem to me to be more suited for undergraduate level theology students. If that is the case then I can forgive the quotes by questionable theologians (Barth & Wright). But if it is meant for lay people, then they should have been avoided.
Treat does a good job of stuffing a lot of good information into a little book. But because of this the book does begin to feel overcrowded at certain times. His “dimensions” of the atonement instead of “theories” is helpful and I believe the right language.
All in all a good little theology of the atonement. But for a book this small I think a narrower focus would have been more beneficial. I found the 20 dimensions of the atonement in chapter 3 a bit much for an intro, especially one of so few pages, but none of it was bad.
Treat does a good job of stuffing a lot of good information into a little book. But because of this the book does begin to feel overcrowded at certain times. His “dimensions” of the atonement instead of “theories” is helpful and I believe the right language.
All in all a good little theology of the atonement. But for a book this small I think a narrower focus would have been more beneficial. I found the 20 dimensions of the atonement in chapter 3 a bit much for an intro, especially one of so few pages, but none of it was bad.
August 2, 2023
A superb primer on perhaps the most important doctrine of the Christian faith. This is a book about theology that felt intensely devotional throughout - the way all theology should feel. I appreciated Treat's refusal to embrace one "theory" of atonement at the expense of others, but instead he illustrated how the atonement is a beautiful mosaic as Jesus defeats the evil powers through his act of substitution leading to the forgiveness of sins. And not only is it devotional, it's incredibly accessible and left me in awe of all that God has done to both save and redeem his people. Treat at his best.
August 29, 2024
One of my favorites in this series!
“While Christ makes us whole again, the greatest accomplishment of the cross is that we are made at-one with God. And this is the key. If all the ills of the world were healed, all the injustices made right, and all the sadness undone, but we still were not right with God, then it would only be a momentary relief in our suffering and in our eternal longing for God. There are many problems in the world. But the atonement deals with the problem beneath every problem. Through Christ’s death on the cross, we are reconciled to God.”
“While Christ makes us whole again, the greatest accomplishment of the cross is that we are made at-one with God. And this is the key. If all the ills of the world were healed, all the injustices made right, and all the sadness undone, but we still were not right with God, then it would only be a momentary relief in our suffering and in our eternal longing for God. There are many problems in the world. But the atonement deals with the problem beneath every problem. Through Christ’s death on the cross, we are reconciled to God.”
January 16, 2025
Really good. Really really good. It appears to be an introductory version of Treat’s larger work on the atonement. What I particularly appreciated was the effort to hold up the multifaceted nature of the atonement and his ability to draw from all Protestant traditions to support his thesis (as well as EO, patristics, and medievals). I appreciated his effort to show the disadvantages of pitting certain atonement “theories”against one another. The strongest section is the end on union with Christ and atonement. Superb!
November 25, 2024
Without necessarily meaning to Gospel tracts and street preachers have reduced the atonement to bite sized expressions that may feed the lost soul but fall far short of the full meal. Dr. Treat provides a seven course meal that’s big enough to include all of creation, God’s kingdom and every second of the incarnation.
May 7, 2025
A good exercise in maintaining a broad scope and not getting bogged down in details or specific articulations. I was half hoping he would try to get into the subject of limited atonement (kept gritting my teeth to hear John Owen’s name get dropped,) but he didn’t, and the book is better for it. Would be an excellent introduction for a new convert.
March 21, 2024
This is a go to resource for atonement. Treat does a fantastic job of defining, describing, and demonstrating the atonement. He avoids trunciations and mischaracterizations and beautifully exposes the Kingdom themed, substitution centered nature of the atonement.
May 1, 2024
Loving this theology series! This one was by far my favorite out of the ones I’ve read. He provided a holistic approach to understanding the atoning work of Christ- way beyond just “penal substitutionary atonement”. I took so many notes!
November 18, 2024
Fantastisk bra bok om forsoningen. Imponerende å få med så mye gull om et omfattende tema i en så kort bok. Anbefales!
February 2, 2025
Good. Appreciated the emphasis on the multi-faceted and integrated nature of the atonement, without losing what's most central: Christ's death in the place of sinners.
March 24, 2024
I've read quite a few books on this topic. This is definitely one of the best. The unique contributions are in the sections focused on the multidimensional aspects of the atonement and the practical implications of the atonement. Will be coming back to this time and time again.
September 23, 2023
The conclusion of this book provides a good summary:
“This book has put forth a view of the atonement as a multi-dimensional accomplishment within the story of the kingdom of God. While there are never-ending dimensions (healing, victory, propitiation, liberation, forgiveness, and so on), the heart of atonement is that Christ died as our substitute in our place and for our sins. That he died for OUR sins (not just MY sins) is key, for community is not a mere implication of the atonement but rather is intrinsic to it. Furthermore, the doctrine of atonement ought to renew our minds and transform our lives. Through union with Christ by the spirit, we are able to receive and experience all the blessings of Christ’s atoning work, both now and forevermore. In short, I am advocating for a doctrine of atonement that is kingdom framed, substitution centered, multidimensional, integrated, communal, life-changing, and thoroughly Trinitarian.”
Yep, that pretty much sums it up. The book is well-written, full of Scripture references, and well-organized. One feature that jumped out to me was the breadth of the author’s quoted theologians: he references thinkers from the distant past through the present, and from various different cultures, including contemporary African and Asian theologians. My favorite chapter was the one in which he investigates the many dimensions of the atonement, which was like piling our many blessings up into a big wonderful pile! It’s so sweet to sit back and consider all the many things that Christ has done for us.
The book is somewhat scholarly, but while there were a few technical theological terms sprinkled throughout (e.g. the “session of Christ,” referring to the fact that he sat down on the throne in heaven after his ascension), the majority of the book is very accessible, so don’t let those scare you, as they are usually understandable in the context.
Highly recommended.
Full disclosure: I received a free copy in exchange for a review.
“This book has put forth a view of the atonement as a multi-dimensional accomplishment within the story of the kingdom of God. While there are never-ending dimensions (healing, victory, propitiation, liberation, forgiveness, and so on), the heart of atonement is that Christ died as our substitute in our place and for our sins. That he died for OUR sins (not just MY sins) is key, for community is not a mere implication of the atonement but rather is intrinsic to it. Furthermore, the doctrine of atonement ought to renew our minds and transform our lives. Through union with Christ by the spirit, we are able to receive and experience all the blessings of Christ’s atoning work, both now and forevermore. In short, I am advocating for a doctrine of atonement that is kingdom framed, substitution centered, multidimensional, integrated, communal, life-changing, and thoroughly Trinitarian.”
Yep, that pretty much sums it up. The book is well-written, full of Scripture references, and well-organized. One feature that jumped out to me was the breadth of the author’s quoted theologians: he references thinkers from the distant past through the present, and from various different cultures, including contemporary African and Asian theologians. My favorite chapter was the one in which he investigates the many dimensions of the atonement, which was like piling our many blessings up into a big wonderful pile! It’s so sweet to sit back and consider all the many things that Christ has done for us.
The book is somewhat scholarly, but while there were a few technical theological terms sprinkled throughout (e.g. the “session of Christ,” referring to the fact that he sat down on the throne in heaven after his ascension), the majority of the book is very accessible, so don’t let those scare you, as they are usually understandable in the context.
Highly recommended.
Full disclosure: I received a free copy in exchange for a review.
August 11, 2023
This book is pretty good. Treat does an excellent job of showing the multi-faceted aspects of the atonement, rejecting the common move of claiming one "theory" as the ultimate theory of the atonement (legal penal substitution, christus victor, governmental, moral influence, etc.). Nevertheless, the biblical data can't help but lean toward a substitutionary emphasis, and Treat does not shy away from this reality.
The best part of the book is that there is nothing novel introduced here. The one downside is that he's not always clear. For instance, he has a chapter on the "communal aspects" of the atonement--a place where a lot of things could have gone haywire. That wasn't the case here, but the chapter wasn't very insightful either. I'm not really sure what it added. But all in all a solid if not stellar entry in this helpful series.
The best part of the book is that there is nothing novel introduced here. The one downside is that he's not always clear. For instance, he has a chapter on the "communal aspects" of the atonement--a place where a lot of things could have gone haywire. That wasn't the case here, but the chapter wasn't very insightful either. I'm not really sure what it added. But all in all a solid if not stellar entry in this helpful series.
April 6, 2024
This little book by Jeremy Treat is a beautiful primer on the atonement. In his own words, he is “advocating for a doctrine of atonement that is kingdom framed, substitution centered, multidimensional, integrated, communal, life changing, and thoroughly trinitarian”.
Coming from an (I guess) evangelical reformed perspective it is refreshingly good at integrating different dimensions of the atonement (victory, recapitulation, substitution, representation, example, …). I personally would probably center substitution a bit less as the central motive and put more weight on themes of recapitulation and victory. But this is a book I would gladly recommend to people.
Coming from an (I guess) evangelical reformed perspective it is refreshingly good at integrating different dimensions of the atonement (victory, recapitulation, substitution, representation, example, …). I personally would probably center substitution a bit less as the central motive and put more weight on themes of recapitulation and victory. But this is a book I would gladly recommend to people.
December 3, 2025
An excellent overview of the work of atonement and all it accomplished! Jeremy Treat unpacks the many aspects of the atonement (substitutional sacrifice, defeat of Satan, redeeming, setting an example, etc.) without pitting them against each other as if only one of them should be the sole focus of the atonement. I found that refreshing as many books I’ve seen deal with the atonement hyper-fixate on a single aspect. Treat shows how all these facets compliment each other and all point towards man’s reconciliation with God. So much great theology packed into a small book that was concise and enjoyable.
March 16, 2024
Excellent treatment of the atonement. This book was kingdom focused and helpful in avoiding the reductionist or relativistic extremes often associated with conversations on the atonement.
Rather than a theory model or a kaleidoscope model, Treat approaches the atonement considering the mosaic like nature of Jesus’s work: each component essential, contributing to and interwoven with the other components, with substitution at the heart.
Rather than a theory model or a kaleidoscope model, Treat approaches the atonement considering the mosaic like nature of Jesus’s work: each component essential, contributing to and interwoven with the other components, with substitution at the heart.
August 23, 2025
Pretty solid introductory work. It is both respectful of our Lord and shows a concern for connecting practically the theological implications of Christ's atonement with the Christian life. I appreciated Treat's highlighting the various facets of Christ's work and showing that the various theories of the atonement need not be placed on conflict with each other. That said, if you are going into this looking for any takes on the extent of the atonement, you'll be disappointed.
April 21, 2024
Helpful overview of the atonement. Treat correctly identifies penal-substitution as the heart of the atonement but also includes many other concepts as critical to the atonement. At times, the book seems a bit scattered and repetitive.
In regard to studies on the atonement, I think Treats's The Cruficied King is better, though it is longer and more technical.
In regard to studies on the atonement, I think Treats's The Cruficied King is better, though it is longer and more technical.
April 10, 2025
Amidst the confusion of atonement “theories” Treat presents a clarifying and cohesive overview of the multiple dimensions of the work of Christ in a readable way. This book was very helpful and is a valuable resource to any fledgling theologian/apologist.
April 11, 2024
You know it’s good when you’re reading and underling the footnotes! I’ll likely regularly revisit this little book.
April 15, 2024
4.5 stars. This is a great book on the different aspects of the atonement. More in depth than a one volume systematic, but still very understandable.
April 30, 2024
Truly excellent treatment of the atonement. Reformed in perspective.
October 27, 2024
Content is excellent and fairly engaging.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews