The Promise of the Atonement

by Ester Rasband

The Lord promises victims full restitution and thorough healing. He taught this doctrine to ancient Israel and during his earthly ministry, and he has reaffirmed it in these latter days. The law of Moses is the schoolmaster that holds the key to understanding his promise. It can lead us to valuing the Atonement enough to forgive and to feel forgiven.

"The mistaken notion that we are required to excuse those who have trespassed against us and that we must discount the pain we have suffered leaves many
wounded souls unnecessarily guilt-ridden and comfortless," writes author Ester Rasband.

In this important volume, we learn that acceptance of the Atonement allows us to forgive those who have wronged us-not because that acceptance is a forfeiture of justice but because it is the very assurance of it. And justice, as The Promise of the Atonement ultimately shows, means restitution, restoration, and healing for the "heavy laden."

Genres: Religion

124 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2005

Reviews

[Melanie]

This book is by far the best I have read on the Atonement. It is 100 pages - a quick read, and full of hope. Where most books seem to focus on the sinner receiving a remission of sins through the Atonement, this book focuses on the sinned against. Two concepts I loved from this book are (1)Full and complete healing and wholeness may not occur in this life. But they will come and we can have faith in being made whole in the next life if it does not come on this life. The victimizer cannot fully restore what has been lost/violated. But the Savior can. We may not understand how. But we do not have to. We just have to have faith that it will be made right one day. (2)Full forgiveness means accepting the Atonement as payment for the sin. You no longer wait for the sinner to make restitution, because he can't. You have to accept the Savior's sacrifice as payment for the debt, and the Savior's healing as full restitution. Excellent book. So many more great concepts, but those were the two that stuck out to me the most.

[Cathy Bearden]

Ester Rasband’s argument that the Atonement not only enables us to be forgiven, but also enables us to forgive is profoundly insightful, even revelatory, as is her explanation of Mosaic Law as the schoolmaster that brings us unto Christ. She clearly illustrates the correlation between seeking forgiveness and seeking to forgive, showing that both are dependent on the Atonement of Christ. She rightfully asserts that all loss will eventually be abundantly and gloriously compensated by our loving Savior. But in subsequent chapters she dodges the contradictions and perplexities inherent in the arduous and often life-long process of healing from serious and prolonged abuse. Clearly, Rasband has never suffered a grievous wound herself and has no inkling of the significant and lasting challenges sufferers face. I have no doubt but what she is kind hearted and full of faith - but she has little to offer someone suffering from the complicated effects of acute trauma and prolonged loss. She begins her book with a few heart wrenching examples of people who have been abandoned or severely abused, but never mentions them again except to note in passing that they struggled throughout their lives. The assumption is they continued to suffer because of their own failures to exert sufficient faith. She avoids any real discussion of what it means to suffer one’s entire life and jumps far too quickly and effortlessly to the conclusion that all will be made well in the next life - cold comfort indeed for someone seeking to know how to navigate, overcome, and endure the excruciating traumas of this life. In her analysis of the Book of Job, she suggests that Job was generously compensated for his losses, ignoring the fact that the loss of one child can never be compensated by the births of other children. She blithely ends her book with a personal anecdote of a meeting with a friend wherein they jointly decide that the answer to all life’s problems is to love our neighbors and our Savior. Rasband and friend are so excited with their discovery they give each other a self congratulatory high five. How nice- for them.
Rasband’s central premise - that the Atonement enables us to both forgive and be forgiven while offering divine restitution for all loss - is astonishingly insightful, but she fails to comprehend the insidious, pervasive effects of severe neglect, abuse, and illness. Her book, which begins brilliantly and compassionately, unfortunately devolves into simplistic platitudes and well-intentioned little pats on the head for the devastated and the destroyed.

[Jennefer]

I really learned some new perspectives on the power of the atonement. This is definitely worth reading and pondering.

[Nathan]

Informative look at the Atonement from the victims' viewpoint - which we all are - just as we are all victimizers as well.

"While all who have forgiven me have added to my well-being by letting me feel their love and mercy, I know that those who have forgiven me have received their own relief as well. By accepting the Lord's atonement as payment for my sins against them, they have received peace."

I hope [you] will forgive me for the lessons I have learned at [your] expense.

[Kristi Reeves]

I love this book so much. Esther's insights were so helpful to me. I would recommend this book to everyone I know. In fact, I might just buy it and give it to them.

[Jim]

Rasband took a look at the Atonement from an unusual perspective - that of victim. I am so used to reading spiritual guidance for those who have perpetrated misdeeds, I was pleasantly surprised at her approach. As we all fit into the category of victim at some part of our lives, even if minorly, the guidance she provides is refreshing and offers hope and an impetus to move forward.

[Marci]

This book is absolutely beautiful and life changing for me. It has helped me to see what I need to be forgiven and to forgive. My heart feels peace as I come to understand the beauty and love of Christ's atoning sacrifice. I am forever grateful and indebted to Him.

[Leslie]

I have learned about the Atonement my entire life, but it has always been such an ambiguous concept to me. Ester Rasband makes it all so clear. This book helped me forgive when it seemed so impossible before.

[Erin]

I love the perspective with which Ester Rasband takes with this short book. Although it is not long in length, it is lengthy with the amount of depth and reflection it give tot he reader. Everyone should read this book.

[Christin]

Amazing!