Atonement: From Holocaust to Paradise

An examination of the nature and need for atonement in the modern world, built on a broad understanding of the relationship between history, literature and theology. History, and in particular the history of the twentieth century, shows that man is ridden with sin and guilt. How does guilt arise and can it be healed’ Ulrich Simon explores what atonement is and what it means to modern man. The sweep of his reflection is broad. He examines not only the theological basis for the doctrine of atonement but also how atonement has been depicted in literary traditions of crime and punishment: Dr Faustus and Dostoevsky’s Devils; scenes of trial from Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure and Kafka’s The Trial. He also considers the doctrines which Reformed, Roman Catholic and Anglican churches teach on atonement. Atonement, suggests Professor Simon, must be made to speak to our hearts as gift of union in which God is perceived and reflected.