"The Day the Revolution Began" - Wright or wrong? (14)

Chapter 13

Wright now looks at atonement in Romans, or rather he seems to want to argue that Paul does not really say the cross is about atonement, and he talks about the word propitiation. As he has done throughout the book he draws a distinction between sin and idolatry. He is giving the new perspective view here. The distinction between sin and idolatry is false. Following Wright’s approach, let’s look at the Bible as a whole, and it is clear that God is deeply concerned about sin, that our guilt is a major problem, indeed the major problem. I disagree with Wright both theologically and pastorally. What about my guilt? What about the things I cannot undo? I need a solution. Now, I am quite a respectable person, most people, at least, would not call me evil. (Jesus would!See Matt 7:11). What about the person who has done overtly evil things, like murder, rape, violence, etc. What do you say to the deep rooted guilt? I need, and you need, the guilt to be taken away, dealt with. On the cross God faces up fully to our guilt, and set us free. In Isaiah 1 God talks about dealing with our sin, and Isaiah 53 says all our iniquities were laid upon Christ. Paul describes himself as the chief of sinners.

One of the elements of the new perspective is that a prime concern of the righteousness of God is God’s covenantal faithfulness. However, this is not at odds with the atonement view. What is the “problem” with God’s covenant with Israel, and His global purpose given to Abraham? It is Israel’s sinfulness, and all mankind’s sinfulness. How can a holy God keep His covenantal promises to a sinful people? The answer is the cross, and a key element of that is atoning for our sins. Elsewhere Wright makes the point that Jesus died at Passover, not the Day of Atonement. OK, but there is a Day of Atonement so Atonement is clearly important, and obviously the blood of goats and sheep did  not atone for our sins. So when did the true atonement take place if not on the cross?

Later on Wright criticises the “Roman Road” approach on the grounds that many proponents now say Israel has now been sidelined. Now some do this (replacement theology), but far from all, and it is by no means an essential part of the atonement view, and I for one firmly believe Israel is still in God’s plan.