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loganmhurley's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.5
This is a helpful book for the most part. It is written for those who are in fundamental assent to the Christian tradition but who maybe has questions on how the cross actually works to bring about salvation in any helpful way that doesn't turn the Father into what Dawkins calls a " cosmic child abuser." It answers the objection by diving into the Bible and the Christian theological tradition to see how what Christianity claims is fundamentally unrelated to the possibility of that or similar claims.
That said, it is written from a very singular perspective (Protestant Wesleyan) and wastes several pages towards the end basically arguing against the Reformed tradition by asserting that they don't have very good answers to a specific objection about the atonement. It is a weird note to end on in what is otherwise a helpfully ecumenical book, and least persuasive on those points.
Nevertheless, I found it helpful and could recommend it to anyone uninterested in the specific issue in which I think it errs.
That said, it is written from a very singular perspective (Protestant Wesleyan) and wastes several pages towards the end basically arguing against the Reformed tradition by asserting that they don't have very good answers to a specific objection about the atonement. It is a weird note to end on in what is otherwise a helpfully ecumenical book, and least persuasive on those points.
Nevertheless, I found it helpful and could recommend it to anyone uninterested in the specific issue in which I think it errs.
thebeardedpoet's review against another edition
4.0
Forsaken unpacks the ramifications of the popular notion that Jesus was separated from the Father on the cross because he had taken upon himself all the sins of humanity. McCall points out that if the Son was actually separated from the Father, the Trinity would cease to exist. There's much more for me to consider here, so I suspect a re-reading awaits me in the future.
nickjonesreadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Most excellent! McCall sets out to clear up some bad theology, and he does it well. Very readable and power packed with many deep insights. The first chapter should be a "must read" for preachers and teachers. In it he asks the question: "Did God the Father really turn His back on Jesus as He hung on the cross?" McCall opposes popular theology (siding instead with classic theology) and answers: "No!"
I greatly appreciate the fact that McCall engages many dialogue partners and looks at this subject for many angles. Fantastic! Props to IVP for publishing it.
I greatly appreciate the fact that McCall engages many dialogue partners and looks at this subject for many angles. Fantastic! Props to IVP for publishing it.
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