Jesus the Sacrifice: A Historical and Theological Study

Jesus the Sacrifice: A Historical and Theological Study by Scott Shauf challenges the traditional understanding of Jesus' death as a sacrifice and proposes that a better understanding of ancient sacrificial practices will change our interpretation of the New Testament. He argues that sacrifices had various purposes in the ancient world and that atonement was only one of them. Shauf's conclusions address modern theological questions and relate the death of Jesus to the understanding of early Christians, the work of God in Jesus, and the ongoing work of God in their midst.

Format: Hardback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Jesus the Sacrifice: A Historical and Theological Study delves into the diverse interpretations of Jesus' death as a sacrifice in the New Testament. Scott Shauf contends that the concept of sacrifice has been widely misconceived by both Christians and scholars, and a deeper comprehension of ancient sacrificial practices can revolutionize our understanding of New Testament interpretations of Jesus' death. Contrary to traditional Christian theological interpretations, the interpretation of Jesus' death as a sacrifice should not be confined to the realm of atonement. Sacrifices served various purposes in the ancient world, and atonement was just one among them. Different New Testament texts present Jesus' death as distinct types of sacrifices, each requiring evaluation within the specific context of the particular type(s) of sacrifice employed. These interpretations share a common goal of linking Jesus' death to the early Christian understanding of themselves, to the work of God in Jesus, and to the ongoing actions of God in their midst. Shauf's conclusions also address contemporary theological dilemmas, such as the issue of the violence of the cross and whether Jesus' death was necessary from a theological perspective.

Weight: 526g
Dimension: 227 x 160 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978713895