Leon Morris

The Cross in the New Testament : A Book by Book Study of the Central Fact of Christianity Leon Morris

From time to time in the study of theology it becomes necessary to evaluate what Scripture has to say on certain crucial doctrines of the faith. Leon Morris, one of this generation's most respected evangelical scholars, here offers a survey of the vast subject of atonement as it is presented in the New Testament. The Cross in the New Testament explores in turn Matthew and Mark, and Lukan writings, John, the Pauline epistles, Hebrews, the catholic epistles, and Revelation, showing what each New Testament scripture contributes to our understanding of atonement.

Atonement for Morris is not merely expiation i.e. a covering over of sins but propitiation i.e. also a turning aside of wrath, this was the contention he had with his doctoral supervisor C. H. Dodd.

While Morris emphasizes the need to appreciate the many strands woven into this doctrine, he criticizes the views of modern scholars that do not square with the biblical teaching. At the heart of the doctrine of atonement is the idea of substitution, Morris believes, and his thorough examination and defense of substitutionary atonement make this volume a theological apologetic of great significance. Trusted as an exhaustive and reliable work of scholarship for the past thirty-five years and available now in this new paperback edition, The Cross in the New Testament remains an invaluable text for serious students of the Bible.