I first heard about Smeaton’s book titled, “The Apostles’ Doctrine of the Atonement” from The Shepherd’s Scrapbook, picked it up not really knowing what to expect, but at this point I think I can say that this book is one of my favorites this year. As the title suggests, Smeaton goes through all the epistles exegetically interpreting specific passages in order to show the apostles’ view of the atonement. His style of writing is clear, and what I really appreciate is how faithful Smeaton is to the text of Scripture. In reading, one does not get the uncomfortable suspicion that Smeaton may be milking a certain passage to read in a way that he wants, or that he is basing his interpretation on unwarranted presuppositions. He clearly proves what he says through thorough exegesis while countering the more popular arguments against the reformed view. The clarity of his writing and exegesis as well as the constant repetition of the basic doctrine of the atonement really do get ingrained into one’s head, and I think it is impossible to read this without being much affected by what God has done in Christ. In addition, one discovers that all this talk about the Reformers getting it wrong has no real warrant. The Reformation did not begin simply because a guilt-laden monk eisogetically interpreted scripture to get what he wanted to hear, but began though the true gospel as found in scripture. Here is an excerpt that cannot but leave the reader with a much deeper view of and greater appreciation for the atonement:
…by God’s appointment [Christ] was made sin, not in mere semblance, but in reality, not before men, but before God, on the great foundation of a federal unity between Him and His people. He was, as it were, the embodiment of sin or incorporated guilt; and we may well affirm that never was so much sin accumulated upon a single head. He was not made sin in a vague, indefinite, abstract way; but the very sins of which we are painfully conscious in the moment of our conviction–that is, our own sins of nature and life–were laid on Him, or transferred from our head to His. He bore their burden; and this rendered it possible to visit Him with the recompense due to sin, and with its necessary punishment, which would otherwise have been impossible. – George Smeaton, The Apostles’ Doctrine of the Atonement, p.226
Filed under: Uncategorized , Atonement, Definite Atonement, George Smeaton, Imputation, Justification, Limited Atonement, Particular Redemption
