Once and for All
A Confession of the Cross
Published on 2. May 2005
208 pages
978-1-7252-1370-8 (ISBN)
Description
To articulate a credible doctrine of the atonement in today's cultural situation is fraught with difficulties. How can we do justice to the central New Testament claim that the work of Christ at one point in history is decisive for God's relationship to the whole of humanity at every other point in history?
Tom Smail takes the connection between the atonement and the Trinity as the underpinning of 'Once and for All'. If we recognize that the work of the cross has to be seen to involve all three persons, and their relationships to one another, we have a structure that enables us to deal with the problems the doctrine of the atonement raises. This presentation of Christ's atoning work in his cross and resurrection both does justice to its decisive character as a once and for all historical event, and at the same time explores the sense in which a long past historical act can be universally relevant to and effective for everyone.
Tom Smail makes contemporary theological thinking on this subject accessible, and also, in investigating the spiritual and pastoral dimensions of the gospel of the cross, gives expression to his personal struggle with it throughout fifty years of ministry. It is his own confession of the cross, guided by the Scriptures and the many diverse strands of the Christian tradition that are precious to him.
'Once and for All' will help us all to understand better, and to enter into, the unique and enduring mystery at the heart of our faith.
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Tom Smail was born in Glasgow, studied Philosophy and Theology in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Basel, was ordained into the Church of Scotland ministry and served in parishes in West Calder, Irvine and Wishaw. He became involved in the early charismatic renewal in the mid sixties and after a four year ministry in Northern Ireland amidst the troubles of the early seventies, he joined and then succeeded Michael Harper in the leadership of the Fountain Trust, which was then engaged in promoting charismatic renewal in the mainline churches in Britain and beyond. In 1979 he became vice-Principal and Lecturer in Doctrine at St John's College Nottingham and was ordained into the Anglican ministry. In 1985 he became Team Rector of All Saints Sanderstead in Croydon from which he retired in 1994.
Tom is the author of seven books, has been a Senior Visiting Research Fellow of King's College, London and for the first half of the year 2000 he was Visiting Professor of Preaching at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Tom and his wife Truda have been married for over 55 years and have two children and three grandchildren. The whole family is now London based. His books are: Reflected Glory, The Forgotten Father, The Giving Gift, Windows on the Cross, Once and For All, Like Father, Like Son and Praying with Paul.
Tom is the author of seven books, has been a Senior Visiting Research Fellow of King's College, London and for the first half of the year 2000 he was Visiting Professor of Preaching at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Tom and his wife Truda have been married for over 55 years and have two children and three grandchildren. The whole family is now London based. His books are: Reflected Glory, The Forgotten Father, The Giving Gift, Windows on the Cross, Once and For All, Like Father, Like Son and Praying with Paul.
