Triune Atonement: Christ's Healing for Sinners, Victims, and the Whole Creation

If I were told I could use only one book (in addition to the Bible) to explain Christianity to someone, this would be the book. Andrew Sung Park writes with clarity and grace about a more cohesive theology of atonement and Christ's life and mission on earth. His description of the role of the Paraclete is also wonderful, and brings to life the Paraclete as a discernible, breathing presence.We are all sinners as well as sinned against. Even the most noble among us cannot escape belonging to worldly systems -- governments, institutions, etc. -- that cause us to sin, knowingly and unknowingly. Who among us does not have a cross word for someone occasionally?Not only does the church as an institution need a theology that addresses both, we as individuals need one as well. Anything else falls short of being complete because it does not address us as our full selves and we are forever doomed to struggle to balance the conflicts within us. Andrew Sung Park's approach is the first I have ever encountered that embraces the whole person in our dual roles. The conflicts mostly diminish rather than disappear, but Park gives us grace, which leads to repentance, which leads to more grace.Newer approaches to psychology suggest that we as people have multiple dimensions to our personality, more of an ebb-and-flow of different parts than the traditional fixed "tier" of Freudian psychology. (Pamela Cooper-White's "Many Voices" is a good place to find an explanation.) Mr. Park's work becomes even more interesting -- and, I think, credible -- when brought together with these newer psychological constructions. His theology has room for all our parts.He writes with wonderful grace and love. This book is a joy to read, and put real joy in my heart. I found myself loving and talking to the Paraclete just as I love Christ.Might I add that I have always loved and felt a deep connection to nature; Dr. Park's chapter on Creation brought my love and connection to a higher and more meaningful sphere that continues to grow. For one thing, though I had been inching closer for a long time, it gave me the gentle push I needed to cross the threshold and become a vegetarian. Many people do so because they love animals, and certainly this is a part of it for me; but Dr. Park's work lead me to an honest repentance of my failings with those with whom we share the earth; when God calls, I strive to answer "yes." The Bible is a constant story of God saying "Will you?" and humanity's answer. Park asks "will you be a part of God's plan for Creation," and I answered yes. I repented for my naivete and rationalizations about my relationship to animals.Where true repentance steps in, grace also enters, and, once I made my promise to God never to again harm an animal for my own benefit, the change was instant. I was subsequently lead, again, through grace, to encounter scientific works that taught me the many benefits of a plant-based diet. Again, the change was instant and swift. I never looked back, and it has unquestionably saved my life and health. Grace in action.But beyond that very powerful commitment to change, I now experience nature in a much heightened way. It is how I experience God, and, although I think I was a rather kind person before, it has made me even kinder and more empathetic. I cherish the time I spend with animals and nature. I see the light of God pouring through it and I feel a part of that light. It is transcendent.Few books effect change on that experiential level. Many theology books can change our thinking, our "head," but it takes a sincere, visionary, and may I say, earnestly humble voice -- a voice that rises out of the author's profound experience -- to change a reader's life on such a hands-on, dimensional level. This, this is what pastoral theologians are all about. To make our own experiences authentic, we need to pay more attention to them, not the popular voices that promise "believe and prosper."Perhaps the "threat" of becoming a vegetarian or vegan will send you running from this book. Suck up your courage and read this generous and wise book anyway. It dispels a lot of misconceptions that are out there, and I think non-believers might come away without the intent of conversion, but perhaps a respect for what Christianity is about. Dr. Park makes a strong case for every point he makes. A pastor of mine once quoted someone else's popular book whose catch-phrase was "Your God Is Too Small" (or something like that). Mr. Park shows us how our interpretations over the years have constrained our concept of God, and how large God truly is.Amen.

It's clear that Park is writing from a liberation theology perspective and the strength of this approach is to highlight a vision of the atonement that speaks to the poor and the oppressed. It frees them from the double bind of "the pain of suffering itself and the pain of theological condemnation" (p. 70). This is where the book shines.Another very interesting bit comes at the end where he speaks of how the atonement applies to animals and nature - an aspect that gets overlooked in almost all other atonement theories.However, while I appreciated Park's attempt to move beyond the situation of the oppressed and deal with the atonement for oppressors (something many liberation theologians fail to do), the book falls apart a bit here. For one thing, I find it problematic that there is a one view of the atonement for the oppressed and another view for the oppressor and no attempt at synthesis between the two.Overall, seeing the atonement from an Asian/liberation perspective opens up the conversation in a fresh and challenging way.

The book provides a useful historical overview of various Christian interpretations of the meaning and importance of the crucifixion; the salvation work of different aspects of the Trinity is explained, as reflected by each interpretation. Strengths and weaknesses of each interpretation are analyzed. Park then presents another interpretation of the subject, one which he clearly thinks holds up to scrutiny better than the others. One might consider Park's interpretation to be more comprehensive in many ways. While the members of my book group were not wholly won over to Park's views, we found merit in many of his statements. His book definitely stimulated more thought and conversation than many other inspirational books we have read.

A very good and thought-provoking book from an author with an Asian perspective. He gives a helpful overview of traditional atonement theories, noting what he believes their strengths and weaknesses are. He then articulates a helpful distinction between the oppressors/sinners versus the oppressed/sinned against, and how the work of Christ speaks to each. A fairly comfortable read with minimal complicated language.

Inspring read, praise God for Dr. Andrew Park and his work!

Insightful and thought provoking...