From Tad R. Callister’s book ‘The Infinite Atonement’ (previous post. . . . start from ‘The Divinity of Our Savior.’)
(From previous post. . . .) Sometimes it is difficult for us as members of the Church to distinguish between our beliefs in the Atonement and those of the rest of the Christian world. Many of us grow up thinking that what we know about this central doctrine is also what the world knows and believes, but it is not so. Without modern scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to grasp many of the basic tenets of the Atonement. Almost two thousand years of Bible interpretation and varied conclusions arrived at by many in the Christian world should be ample evidence of the need for additional scriptural insight. Continuing. . .
For many, the beautiful and deep doctrine of the Atonement is summarily dismissed and placed on the back shelf with the facile response, “Just believe and be saved.” Why such an approach? Perhaps Hugh Nibley best articulates the reason:
“So cool has been the reception [of the Atonement] that through the centuries, while heated controversy and debate have raged over evolution, atheism, the sacraments, the Trinity, authority, predestination, faith and works, and so on, there has been no argument or discussion at all about the meaning of the Atonement. Why were there no debates or pronouncements in the synods? People either do not care enough or do not know enough even to argue about it. For the doctrine of the Atonement is far too complicated to have the appeal of a world religion.”9
Satan has been successful in diverting much of the Christian world’s attention from the one doctrine that can save us, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, to ancillary doctrines that have meaning only because they draw their sustenance from this redeeming event. Like a skilled magician, Satan’s every move is to divert our attention and dilute our focus from the primary object at hand, namely Christ’s atoning sacrifice, in hopes that we will turn exclusively to doctrines of secondary and far lesser import. His diversionary tactics have been, and will be, of such global proportions that John tragically exclaimed, “Satan. . . deceiveth the whole world” (Revelation 12:9; see also Doctrine and Covenants 10:63) After all the sleight of hand ceases and the smoke clears, it is still Jesus Christ, his Atonement, and our obedience to him that saves us—nothing else can do it. (continued) ~Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2000), 26-28 (pocket book edition)
