The Apostles’ Doctrine of the Atonement

George Smeaton was one of the great luminaries in the theological galaxy which graced New College, Edinburgh, in the second half of the nineteenth century. His colleague James MacGregor said that he possessed ‘the best constituted theological intellect in Christendom’. His invaluable study of our Lord’s teaching on the significance of his death gives substance to that claim. In it we find Smeaton’s sensitive theological acumen, his skill in judicious exposition, and his evident devotion to the person of Jesus Christ , all combined in a masterly survey of the Gospel texts which illumine the doctrine of the atonement. The Apostles’ Doctrine of the Atonement, like its companion volume on Christ’s doctrine, is a work to be read and re-read. Those who possess it will often find themselves instinctively turning to consult Smeaton for insight on passages where other works have failed them.

‘George Smeaton’s magnificent studies of the New Testament’s teaching on the work of Christ—Christ’s Doctrine of the Atonement and The Apostles’ Doctrine of the Atonement [are] two books which I am convinced ought to be in the possession of every minister of the gospel, preacher, teacher and student for the ministry.

These books are reliable, but they are also wonderfully readable. Ministers at every age and stage will benefit from them, and be led by them through careful, biblical, spiritual exposition of the cross. They combine biblical exegesis, doctrinal exposition, spiritual meditation, depth without dense style, clarity without technical clutter.

The widespread distribution of these volumes has the potential to serve as a catalyst to transform the pulpits of our churches. We need more preaching on the cross. Congregations, mid-week meetings, study groups and Sunday School classes, individual Christians all need to grapple with the meaning of the cross and live in the light of it. What an encouragement to spiritual advance it would be if the topic of conversation among pastors, elders, teachers and students for the ministry went something like this: ‘Did anyone send you Smeaton on the Atonement? Have you read these volumes? What a great Saviour we have! I have felt reading them how much I need to be more Christ-centred and cross-centred in my preaching.’…let us pray that these books will be a means of igniting greater understanding of and renewed faith in a crucified Saviour!’ –SINCLAIR B. FERGUSON

‘Smeaton’s book is intimidating to the average believer with its five hundred pages of dense nineteenth-century prose. But it is a valuable book. In fact, it is not an overstatement to say it is a necessary book since it sets before us so clearly and emphatically that our righteousness is to be found only in Christ, not in ourselves.’ –JERRY BRIDGES