Models of Atonement: Speaking about Salvation in a Scientific World.
Mattes, Mark
Models of Atonement: Speaking about Salvation in a Scientific
World. By George L. Murphy. Minneapolis, Minn.: Lutheran University
Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-9326-8885-6. 145 pages. Paper. $18.00.
An ELCA pastor with a PhD in Physics, Murphy is noted for
pioneering work which correlates the natural sciences with theology. In
this book, Murphy examines the doctrine of the atonement in light of
evolutionary biology. He believes that science should be seen in tandem
with God's revelation: science has a "ministerial" though
not a "magisterial" role to play in theology (16, 26).
From the perspective of evolution, it is not the traditional
doctrine of original sin which is problematic but instead original
righteousness, an Eden to which Christ's atonement will return
humanity (62). Hence, with regard to evolution, Christ's atonement
does not seek to restore humanity to its alleged idyllic origins but
instead offers God's grace which reorients humanity toward
God's original goal for creation (78). Christ's "healings
of the sick ... were signs, not of a return to a golden age (which never
existed) in which there was no disease, but of God's intended
future for creation" (89). Under the conditions of sin, creation is
moving away from God's intended goal; Christ's atoning work is
to turn creation toward its proper end (17).
Following the late Gerhard Forde, Christ's cross and
resurrection destroy idolatrous faith and create genuine faith in the
true God (18, 92). Hence, as sinful, humanity experiences not a loss of
immortality which it once had but instead the loss of an opportunity for
immortality (45). In atonement, God's purpose is to unite all
things with the crucified and risen Christ (33). Christ's
incarnation, however, was no "Plan B," but instead was
intended by God all along--all so that evolution might reach the goal of
union with God.
Murphy's agenda to correlate theology and biology seeks to
honor both disciplines. In an age increasingly influenced by science,
his is a voice to which we should attend.
Mark Mattes
Grand View University
