Atonement for a Sinless Society: Second Edition

Sin isnt relevant anymore. Alan Mann takes seriously this oft-heard assertion and instead goes in search of the real plight at the heart of contemporary Western society. What he finds there is a personal pervasive and self-diminishing dis-ease impacting the lives of millions of people--shame. With this insight Atonement for a Sinless Society seeks a fresh encounter with the biblical narrative building a more meaningful understanding of the story of Jesus and his disciples for the world in which we live; bringing the Christian understanding of atonement into the twenty-first century. In spite of the centrality of the cross to biblical faith old formulations and cultural formulations today cloud its significance. Alan Manns voice is needed and welcome. In these pages we find a moving narrative of atonement from a penetrating analysis of the world we inhabit to the resolution of the human experience of chronic shame in the invitation of the Eucharist. --Joel B. Green Professor of New Testament Interpretation Fuller Theological Seminary Thought-provoking mission-focused and culturally challenging. An insightful timely and creative view of the atonement. --Steve Chalke Founder Oasis Global A creative and well-researched presentation of faith thinking . . . [A]nyone who desires to communicate the Gospel to a contemporary audience will find this both a challenging and a rewarding read. --Graham McFarlane Vice Principle Academic London School of Theology Rather than simply repeating an articulation of the gospel from another time and culture Alan Mann asks how the cross is good news for his culture and how to communicate that good news in his context today. We have much to learn from how he answers those questions. --Mark D. Baker Professor of Mission and Theology Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary Alans book is clear creative deep compelling and inspiring. --Brian McLaren author speaker and activist Alan Manns Atonement for a Sinless Society is one of the few books in our day that probes classic atonement theories in the context of a radically shifted audience . . . Instead of ramping up older theories and seeking to impose them on a conscience no longer amenable to such theories Mann starts afresh with the concept of shame in our world and shows how a reframed story can lead yet again to the magical moment of history: the cross of Jesus Christ. --Scot McKnight Professor of New Testament Northern Baptist Theological Seminary I was a huge fan of this book in version 1.0. But the 2.0 version? Wow! As a theological thought leader and insightful cultural exegete Alan has given us a great update integrating new material that makes this even more relevant to our current cultural and church landscape. Please get a copy and buy more for your leaders and pastoral colleagues; this conversation needs a wide hearing! --Ron Martoia Transformational architect author speaker By viewing the atonement through the lens of isolating shame Alan Mann frees that important understanding of Gods reconciling work from the single judicatory interpretation that tends to dominate Western Christian thinking. Mann shows how the Eucharist expresses the reconciliation of the self with God and others and offers a fresh way for people to engage in the richness of the atoning work of Jesus Christ. --Mike McNichols Affiliate Assistant Professor of Intercultural Studies and Director of Fuller Theological Seminary Orange County Alan Mann is a writer and author based in the UK. He has worked in education and for several leading Christian organizations. His works include A Permanent Becoming (2008) and with Steve Chalke MBE The Lost Message of Jesus (2003) and Different Eyes (2010).