Crossway Books has assembled a wonderful series of accessible works on systematic theology, and Dr. Jeremy Treat has done a commendable job writing on the topic of the Atonement. The atonement accomplished by Christ is truly the heart of Christianity, distinguishing our faith from all others. It is vital for believers at every stage of their Christian journey to be well-grounded in the truth of the Atonement—the means by which a holy God brings us into "at-one-ment" with Himself forever through the work of Christ.

This book does not take a narrow approach that focuses solely on Christ's final hours on the cross. Instead, it offers a rich and comprehensive exploration of the believer's salvation, centering on the Atonement while unfolding its many blessings and implications for the Christian life. The author himself summarizes his aim:

"Here is my approach to the atonement in a nutshell: The death of Christ is a multidimensional accomplishment within the story that begins in the garden and culminates in the kingdom. While the achievements of the cross (forgiveness, victory, adoption, and so on) are unending, the heart of the cross, out of which everything flows and finds its coherence, is Christ dying in our place for our sins. The atoning work of Christ not only reconciles sinners to God but also to one another, calling us into a life of taking up our crosses as we follow our King. In other words, we need a kingdom-framed, substitution-centered, multidimensional, integrated, communal, life-changing approach to the doctrine of atonement."

First and foremost, this book is theologically-rich. Dr. Treat does a masterful job of laying out the grand narrative of the Bible through the theme of God's Kingdom. He provides readers with a panoramic view of Scripture, helping them better appreciate how Christ's atoning work delivers us from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God's beloved Son.

It is a powerful reminder that the King inaugurated His Kingdom at His coming, and in order to bring us into it, He had to give Himself—a sacrifice encompassing His entire work from the Incarnation to the Ascension.

The author also excels in illuminating the Old Testament background, showing how God prepared His people for the ultimate atoning sacrifice through substitutionary sacrifices, shadows, and types. The middle section of the book is especially profound, offering rich theological insights into the meaning of the Atonement.

Dr. Treat vividly explains how God poured out His just wrath on His perfect, incarnate Son to bring about satisfaction, reconciliation, and victory for believers. He even devotes an entire chapter to demonstrating that the Atonement is not an isolated doctrine but one that brings with it a host of multifaceted blessings, including reconciliation, justification, sanctification, and glorification.

A particularly strong aspect of the book is its Trinitarian approach to the Atonement, as highlighted in this insightful passage:

"While the doctrine of atonement is centered on Christ, we cannot think of Jesus as an independent individual but as the Son of the Father who is empowered by the Spirit. Atonement is a work of the triune God through and through. On the cross, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were at work together for the salvation of sinners."

Furthermore, the book presents a wide array of theological perspectives, incorporating profound insights from theologians across different traditions and global contexts. This effectively illustrates how the Atonement unites believers from every tribe, tongue, and nation as the international Bride of Christ.

One of the greatest strengths of this book is that it is not only theologically-enriching but also deeply practical. Dr. Treat encourages readers to grow in relational and practical godliness through their union with Christ. The Atonement brings us into a corporate family of adopted children of God, teaching us to love one another, act justly, and appreciate the worldwide body of Christ.

This book will be a great blessing to any believer who sincerely desires to feast on the riches of Christ. While it may not be the easiest to read, it is profoundly rewarding and well worth the effort, even if read slowly over time.