The Infinite Atonement [Kindle Edition]

I picked up this book hoping for an explanation of how the Christian Atonement could work--why there was necessarily an eternal law of justice that needed to be satisfied in some way rather than being repealed or even ignored. I hoped for some hint of the physical mechanism by which such an Atonement could enable a physical resurrection. I did not find these answers. The author himself admits that we do not have them. "We know that in some way incomprehensible to us, his suffering satisfied the demands of justice." (p. 299).

I did find an exhaustive discussion of what we know about the Atonement from scriptural sources. The book begins with an effectively-written description of the relationship between the Fall and the Atonement, summarized in a table on page 50. It then turns to the far-reaching effects of the Atonement for Christ's followers, the rest of humanity, and the whole of the physical world.

Tad Callister's central messages are summarized in Chapter 8: "The Infinite Nature of the Atonement." Take a few minutes and read its three pages closely to help you decide if now is the time for you to read the rest of this book. In it, the author summarizes those aspects of the atonement he will describe at length in the following chapters. "The Atonement seems infinite...for at least the following eight reasons, as further discussed in chapters 9 to 23...

- First...it is infinite in the divineness of the one sacrificed...
- Second, it is infinite in power...
- Third, the Atonement is infinite in time...
- Fourth, it is infinite in coverage...
- Fifth, it is infinite in depth...
- Sixth, it is infinite in the degree of suffering endured by the Redeemer...
- Seventh, it is infinite in love...
- Eightth, it is infinite in the blessings it bestows." (p. 59-60)

I personally recommend Chapter 18: "The Blessing of Peace of Mind," which describes the effects of repentance on the mind and troubled conscience of those who have been tormented by guilt. This chapter describes how the Atonement not only cleanses by brings consolation that we have put evil deeds and habits behind us. Later chapters explore additional effects of the Atonement, such as its power to motivate us in continuously correcting ourselves in this life and the promise and potential of exaltation in the next life.

This thorough and thoughtful explication of the atonement and its effects support's the author's assertion that "[t]he atonement is the central act of human history, the pivotal point in all time, the doctrine of doctrines." (p. ix). Satisfied readers will be well-prepared to read James Talmage's Jesus the Christ with a greater appreciation of the events of his life and their significance.

Mr. Callister gives us a thoughtful and lyrical view of the most important event in human history. The book is well-written and easy to understand. What I especially appreciate, however, is Mr. Callister's sensitive, obviously hard-won personal testimony of Jesus Christ. His conclusions come from years of perceptive living combined with a conscious effort to understand what it means to be redeemed. I highly recommend this book. It is one of the best efforts by any Latter-day Saint. Perhaps some of the doctrine is not familiar to people of different faiths. That does invalidate the thought and beautiful testimony of the writer.

This is by far the best book I have ever read regarding the Atonement. Tad Callister's fluid writing style reminds me a lot of Elder Maxwell's. If you don't own a copy of this book, get one now. It would make a wonderful Christmas gift. I hope to see some more books from this same author in the future.