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Review Summary: The Infinite Atonement |
Date: 2008-09-14 |
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Details: The Infinite Atonement attempts to survey the Atonement and related doctrines. Tad R. Callister's approach to such an ambitious project was to compile a vast array of quotations, imagery, and poems and string them together with doctrinal statements. The statements are mostly mainstream Mormon doctrine.
Because of the number and variety of quotes, the book can be used as a sampler of other Mormon writings on the Atonement. Leaders from Orson F. Whitney to Bruce C. Hafen are cited, so every chapter provides ideas for further reading. There are, of course, abundant references to scriptures. C.S. Lewis and the apocryphal Gospel of Phillip both are quoted with surprising frequency. Otherwise, theology from other branches of Christianity is engaged only rarely after the first two chapters.
The writing style is wordy and most of the included poems are extraneous. Sometimes positions are made, but the reasoning is omitted; in other places good explanations follow the statements. Overall, some patience is required but also is rewarded in reading this book. |
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Review Summary: The Atonement is Infinite |
Date: 2006-03-20 |
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Details: "The Infinite Atonement" gives great, thought provoking insight into the most important religious doctrine of our lives. Many of the chapters are not long, but give a lot to ponder. The scriptural references built into the text are a great feature in addition to all the footnotes. |
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Review Summary: The Infinite Atonement |
Date: 2005-12-30 |
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Details: The Infinite Atonement is, hands down, the best book written on the atonement. It includes a compilation of quotes and teachings with extremely important insights regarding this important topic. This is a must read for anyone with a desire to learn more and understand better the doctrine of the atonement. |
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Review Summary: Best book I've ever read on the subject |
Date: 2005-10-10 |
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Details: I rarely rate religious books this highly - mostly because I lose interest faster than I should. (I guess my loss of interest says more about me than the subject matter.) I took just under 6 months to read this book, ponder its meaning, and research scriptural and other sources to see if it is correct in its teachings. And after spending a lifetime as a follower and admirer of the carpenter from Nazareth who is the Son of God, I can only say that this book did more for my understanding of the doctrine of the Atonement than any other book short of scripture.
The writing is clear and concise. The author has obviously distilled the study of a lifetime into this volume because it carries quotes from so many disparate sources that would have taken years to accumulate. From his background as a lawyer, the author is uniquely qualified to discuss justice, mercy and other related concepts. His main sources are scriptures - that is the Bible and also scriptures unique to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). C.S. Lewis and Joseph Smith are also two common sources.
The 300 pages of this book contain chapters on why an atonement is needed, what is the nature of the atonement, what it means, and how it was accomplished. The atonement is the central doctrine of Christianity and is so comprehensive and overwhelming in its scope that a guide such as this one is extrememly useful.
And besides the high intellectual content of this work, I found myself pondering over and over again the particularized question, "Considering what a failure I am, how is it possible that a Savior could care enough for me to suffer and die for me?"
I recommend this book highly to anyone. |
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Review Summary: One of the finest Books I've read |
Date: 2005-09-13 |
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Details: The infinite atonement is the most comprehensive, complex, and saving doctrine, a man can learn. Focus is the key. One could spend their whole life reflecting and pondering about the atonement and its power to save.
The infinite atonement includes an understanding of Christ's suffering, Christ's power over death and sin, Christ love for us, and the possiblity of exaltation. The atonement makes weakness and infirmity bearable because Jesus descendant below all things, overcame all things, and trumphets as Lord of Lord and King of Kings.
I found Callister discussion of the atonement scripturally comprehensive and his sources for doctrinal support familar and solid. Callister instructs the reader to study the atonement and warns against the adversary distractions that remove a person from focusing on the mercy and beauty of the atonement. All doctrines can be measure in terms of relevancy and save capacity by relating the doctrines to the atonement.
I have seen the atonement and testify it is more than a concept. The atonement is the most beautiful and merciful experience in my life and I would not worry about all the scriptural argument relating to the atonement, when you seen the atonement in action, one's life changes because it is glorious and powerful and it transcends the critical mind, it is mercy and compassion. We are the sheep and the Lord is the good sheppard and seek to hear the words of the the good Sheppard by seeing with ones spiritual eyes and listening too the still small voice and feeling with the heart. The atonement will change ones life, if one will seek to understand and become obedient to God's laws.
Callister seemingly expresses many of the emotions associated with the grace of Christ. Callister highlights numerous church leader thoughts relating to the grace of Christ. We learn that Jesus has compassion on the descendants of Adam and is merciful to the children of men. We learn that the suffering in garden of getheseme pressed the Lord with the weight of sin and infirmity until great drops of blood flow from every pore. Everything in the garden bore testimony of the atonement, the symbolism, and the sacrifice of the only begotten.
Christ demonstrated obedience to the will of the father and kept his premortal pledge too be a savior. Jesus is real, he is not a concept, a story, or a myth. Through the atonement, Jesus knows how to succor us in our infirmities. Justice extended credit to the Messiah and many penitent were reconcilled and received forgiveness and eternal life, prior to the garden of getheseme. The atonement bridges the separation between man and God and provides a way home. As in the story of the one leoper out of ten, who returned and worship Jesus, we learn that Jesus connects us to our heavanly home.
Jesus alone suffered the sins of the world. The father's spirit withdrew as the sins pressed against the Savior, Jesus cried out, "Father why hasth thou forsaketh me?". Three times, Jesus requested comfort and support from his disciples and did not receive comfort. The atonement was carried by the Messiah, alone. Jesus suffered the atonement because he loved us, "Greater love hath this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." The great Jehovah completed the will of the Father, defeated Lucifer's evil forces and hordes, and provided everlasting hoping. The atonement grant every man the opportunity too be resurrected, learn between good and evil, and prevail over evil.
The infinite atonement covers the fall of man, redemption through Christ and the saving ordinances, and glory and exaltation. |
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out of 9 Reviews
