This collection of essays on the atonement was put together with some speed in the wake of l'affaire Chalke, which saw Steve face the wrath of at least some of the evangelical establishment for views expressed in The Lost Message of Jesus. Its 12 chapters are by respected authors including Giles Fraser, J. Denny Weaver and James Alison. Some papers have a fairly academic feel to them, while others, such as Kevin Scully's 'Embodying the cross in the church of the bloody useless', have a more popular intent. However, there is a clear line of thinking throughout, arguing that the substitutionary theory of the atonement badly needs rethinking. While this book was conceived out of a theological spat, it would be a pity if it were read only by partisans on one side or another, as it contains some very rich thinking. However, it does raise issues which those who hold to the penal substitutionary theory either as the primary or the sole valid account of the atonement have to deal with if their view is to retain its credibility. For instance, as Denny Weaver points out, 'Because Jesus' death is needed, Jesus models being a voluntary, passive and innocent victim, who submits to suffering for the good of another' - not, as he says, a good role-model for, say, a woman abused by her husband or a child violated by her father. This book is thoughtful, challenging and Biblical. It also has the effect of restoring the theory of penal substitution to being just that - a theory, capable of theological analysis and testing, rather than the shibboleth of a party. This is a contribution to a debate which, in spite of a helpful Evangelical Alliance symposium recently, is far from closed. It would be interesting to see whether a similar collection of essays from the rival camp could engage as convincingly with the cultural, political and social conditions of our time.

Consuming Passion is a collection of essays about the meaning of Christ's death, both in history, for us, and in today's world. I especially liked Ched Myers' powerful critique of Mel Gibson's film 'The Passion'. I had never understood the political significance of Mark's Gospel in that way before. Some of the chapters are biblical, some historical, some cultural, some doctrinal and some political - but they are mostly pretty personal, too. And they are punchy without being preachy. The book begins with a warning about how people who shout 'hosanna!' can also shout 'crucify!' a few days later. But it ends on a note of hope with James Alison's mind and heart stretching piece about resurrection, and Jesus as the victim who ends victimhood. Thoughtful stuff. Some of its a bit heavy going, but there are many passages which would make great group study material.