missing themes. He reminds us of the error of "dealing with specific aspects of the Christian
faith in isolation from the whole"
Where is the wrath of God against sin? He correctly refuses to "place the overcoming of evil in
the hands of an ecologically sensitive humanity, but in Jesus Christ who defeats the power of
evil by his death and resurrection."
world and much of ours as well. Sacrifice is stated as a central theme of the work of Christ, but I
look in vain for any articulation of that theme. Neither does he have time or sympathy for
propitiation leading to forgiveness. He focuses on Christ's triumph over unspecified powers, a
very limited exposition.
misrepresentations of past generations. But I find that his representation shaped by contemporary
culture. As culture becomes source and norm of theology, it mitigates or contaminates the
biblical Christianity. I concur with Tidball:
represent the revelation of our God rather than gratify the fashions of society. Our task is
not to mirror our culture but to convert it, and the cross calls us to do that in the most
radical of ways.
They see it fundamentally flawed because it views atonement through the lens of a nineteenth
century, individualistic legal framework of criminal justice. This model "distorts biblical words
and phrases to the point that they are no longer recognizable in their biblical contexts."
and in Christ. It divides Father and Son, ending up with the Son saving us from the vengeful,
vindictive, punishing, wrathful Father. This model makes the grave error of focusing on