For historical surveys of the different theories of the atonement see H. E. W. Turner, Patristic Doctrine, J. K. Mozley, Doctrine of the Atonement, Robert Mackintosh, Historic Theories and Robert S. Franks, History of the Doctrine of the Work of Christ.
Orat. xlv. 22.
Catechetical Oration 22 – 26. See A. S. Dunstone, Atonement in Gregory of Nyssa, p.15, footnote 7.
Sentences, Liber III, Distinctio xix.1.
Nathaniel Dimock, while not accepting ‘the unguarded language or misleading statements of some of the Fathers’, since God does not trade with the devil, nevertheless believes that in over-reaction ‘undue condemnation has been bestowed on the Patristic view of this subject’. He therefore salvages some biblical truths from it in his Additional Note B, ‘on Christ’s Redemption as viewed in relation to the dominion and works of the devil’. See his Doctrine of the Death of Christ, pp.121–136.
R. W. Dale, Atonement, p.277.
Henry Wace, Sacrifice of Christ, p.16.
Ibid., pp.22, 28–29, 36.
Robert S. Franks, Work of Christ, p.135.
R. W. Dale, Atonement, p.372.
Nathaniel Dimock, Doctrine of the Death of Christ, p.32, footnote 1.
Robert S. Franks, Work of Christ, p.126.
James Denney, Atonement, p.116.
Institutes, II.xvi. 10. Cf. II.xii.3.
Thomas Cranmer, First Book of Homilies, p.130. The Westminster Confession of Faith (1647) also declares that the Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and self-sacrifice, has ‘fully satisfied the justice of his Father’ (VIII.5). Indeed, it was ‘a proper, real, and full satisfaction to his Father’s justice’ on behalf of the justified (XI.3).
Hugo Grotius, Defence of the Catholic Faith, p.57.
P. T. Forsyth, Cruciality of the Cross, pp.137–138. See also his Work of Christ, pp.122–129.
Ps. 78:38. Cf. Isa. 48:9; Lam. 3:22; and in the New Testament Rom. 2:4 and 2 Pet. 3:9.
Jer. 44:22; Ezek. 24:13–14; cf. Exod. 32:10.
2 Kgs 23:26; 22:17; 2 Chr. 34:25; Jer. 21:12.
Deut. 4:24, quoted in Heb. 12:29. Some examples of the portrayal of God’s judgment as a devouring fire are: Num. 11:1; Deut. 6:15; Ps. 59:13; Isa. 10:17; 30:27; Lam. 2:3; Ezek. 22:31; Zeph. 1:18.
E.g. Josh. 7:26; Ezek. 5:13; 16:42; 21:17.
E.g. Jer. 4:4; 21:12.
Ezek. 5:13; 6:12; 7:8; 13:15; 20:8, 21.
Ps. 103:10. For God’s forbearance, the restraining of his anger and the delaying of his judgment, see also Neh. 9:31; Lam. 3:22; Rom. 2:4–16; 3:25; 2 Pet. 3:9. Contrast, for example, Ezek. 7:8–9, 27.
E.g. Pss. 23:3; 143:11.
Mark 8:34; 2 Tim. 2:13, RSV.
P. T. Forsyth, The Work of Christ, p.118.
Exod. 34:6–7; Ps. 85:10; Isa. 45:21; Hab. 3:2; Mic. 7:18; John 1:14; Rom. 11:22; 3:26; Eph. 2:3–4; 1 John 1:9.
G. C. Berkouwer, Work of Christ, p.277.
Institutes, II.xvi.4. Cf. II.xvii.2.
Emil Brunner, Man in Revolt, p.187.
P. T. Forsyth, Cruciality of the Cross, pp.5–6 and 73.
P. T. Forsyth, Work of Christ, p.80. He also uses the expression ‘holy love’ in The Justification of God, especially pp.124–131 and 190–195. William Temple picked it up in Christus Veritas, especially pp.257–260.
