The doctrine of the atonement is the distinctive doctrine of Christianity. Over the course of many centuries of reflection, highly diverse interpretations of the doctrine have been proposed. In the context of this history of interpretation, Eleonore Stump considers the doctrine afresh with philosophical care. Whatever exactly the atonement is, it is supposed to include a solution to the problems of the human condition, especially its guilt and shame. Stump canvasses the major interpretations of the doctrine that attempt to explain this solution and argues that all of them have serious shortcomings. In their place, she argues for an interpretation that is both novel and yet traditional and that has significant advantages over other interpretations, including Anselms well-known account of the doctrine. In the process, she also discusses love, union, guilt, shame, forgiveness, retribution, punishment, shared attention, mind-reading, empathy, and various other issues in moral psychology and ethics.

About the Author
Eleonore Stump is the Robert J. Henle Professor of Philosophy at Saint Louis University. She is also Honorary Professor at Wuhan University and at the Logos Institute, St Andrews, and a Professorial Fellow at Australian Catholic University. She has published extensively in philosophy of religion, contemporary metaphysics, and medieval philosophy. Her books include Aquinas (2003) and Wandering in Darkness: Narrative and the Problem of Suffering (2010). She has given the Gifford Lectures (2003), the Wilde lectures (2006), the Stewart lectures (2009); and she will give the Stanton lectures at Cambridge in 2018. She is past president of the Society of Christian Philosophers, the American Catholic Philosophical Association, and the American Philosophical Association, Central Division; and she is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Reviews
Atonement is a thoughtful and creative book that offers enriching philosophical insights into a variety of theological concepts such a justification, sanctification, being in Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. * R.P. Hoogenboom, Theologia Reformata *
This is a magisterial work on the Christian idea of atonement, covering a host of philosophical issues: the methodology of philosophical theology, the philosophy of God, reflections on love, sin, guilt, shame, forgiveness, repentance, punishment, mind- reading, moral psychology, human nature, and will. Stump refers to her account of the atonement as the Marian interpretation, honoring some of the Mary figures in the New Testament. * Paul Reasoner, Religious Studies Review *
Eleonore Stump has written an impressive book on this central Christian doctrine, which is worth reading by theologians and philosophers... * Wout Bisschop, Philosophia Reformata *
Eleonore Stump's Atonement is a monumental achievement in analytic philosophical theology...We believe this interpretation contains many insights; it will be an enduring contribution to philosophical and theological work on the atonement for years to come. * Joshua Thurow and Jada Twedt Strabbing, Faith and Philosophy *
This is a work of intelligent theological synthesis that deserves to be read. * Roy McDaniel, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Trinity Journal *
This book is a very significant project within the tradition of analytic philosophical theology, and one in which integrity and humanity shine through. * Rolfe King, University of Aberdeen, Notre Dame Philosophical Review *
I highly recommend Atonement to anyone, expert or enthusiast, interested in an interpretation of the atonement consistent with a loving God. Stumps writing is clear, easily accessible, and engaging. This work is suitable for a graduate-level or upper-division theology or philosophy of religion course; excerpts, too, are viable for lower-division courses. * J. Spencer Atkins, Theological Studies *
This is a stimulating work of philosophical theology. Summing up: Recommended * CHOICE *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198813866
Author Eleonore Stump
Format Hardback
Page Count 560
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 982g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 163mm * 35mm