Jesus Our Redeemer: A Christian Approach to Salvation

Oxford University Press, USA, March 2007. Paper Back. New. O'Collins, who in his now-classic <i>Christology: A Biblical, Historical and Systematic Study of Jesus Christ</i> focused on who Jesus Christ is in Himself, now seeks to describe who Jesus Christ is for us. To do so, he applies the same full range of approach as in his earlier work. A daunting task indeed, and O'Collins admits at the outset that much of the meaning of sin, salvation, and redemption is rendered as effectively in liturgy, literature, hymnography and art as in theology, and he employs all these tools throughout the book. Yet he also insists that theology is indispensable in reflection and clarification, in 'watching one's language in the presence of God.' O'Collins systematically examines what is so often blandly spoken and barely considered, the fundamental language of redemption - salvation, atonement and reconciliation, expiation - and explores this vocabulary in the context of creation, the human condition, and the 'whole story' (not just Christ's suffering and death) of redemption. Each section proceeds from root biblical meaning of terms, to patristic understanding, then on through the later development of theology and devotion. O'Collins also takes on nearly-intractable issues such as the salvation of unbaptized infants or non-Christians, his discussions always dispelling the heat and increasing the light. His extensive treatment and critique of the major paradigms of redemption - deliverance from evil and penal substitution particularly - clarify and significantly advance our understanding of a long and complex unfolding. Here is theological writing at its best, completely readable and free of jargon yet appropriate to the enormity of its subject.