How might humanity experience ultimate reality as intimately related to us, as liberating us individually and corporately from disorder, and as empowering our personal self-integration? With this question in mind, this work reexamines the images and concepts of Christian doctrinal tradition which - under the rubric of the "doctrine of the atonement" - have historically promoted this experience. The extended constructive essay which concludes the book makes extensive and foundational - though not uncritical - use of Whiteheadian process-relational thought to provide new ontological grounding to Christian images and concepts of atonement.
"Here process theology moves beyond the confines of philosophical theology to engage the challenges of constructive systematic theology. In his selection of the central Christian doctrine of the atonement for study, Wheeler has defined a rich and fertile field for incorporating process perspectives into Christian thought and experience, and has filled an important lacuna in the literature of process theology." (William C. Miller, Nazarene Theological Seminary)
"It seems to me that any Christian who desires to have a better understanding of what we mean when we speak of salvation through Christ would profit from reading this work. It would make clear what we are affirming and what we are not affirming when we acknowledge Jesus as Saviour." (John H. Wright, SJ, Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley)
"... an excellent rendition of the atonement doctrine. Moreover, W(heeler) is truly committed to making atonement relational, i.e. relevant for our time..." (H.Dayton, Explorations)
"It seems to me that any Christian who desires to have a better understanding of what we mean when we speak of salvation through Christ would profit from reading this work. It would make clear what we are affirming and what we are not affirming when we acknowledge Jesus as Saviour." (John H. Wright, SJ, Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley)
"... an excellent rendition of the atonement doctrine. Moreover, W(heeler) is truly committed to making atonement relational, i.e. relevant for our time..." (H.Dayton, Explorations)