This book examines the relationship (of mutual influence) between various theories of the atonement and theories of law and justice. Vidu divides the history of theology into five periods and examines as case studies selected theologians from each period. A concluding chapter explores the implications of divine simplicity. He does not claim to be writing a history of atonement theories or a constructive theology. Rather the book is an extended essay.

From the beginning, his preference for the penal substitution theory is explicit, but the book is not so much an argument for this theory as an attempt to address certain objections. In order to oppose any separation of God's love and God's justice, he appeals to the doctrine of divine simplicity. Over against modern and postmodern critiques, he insists that law has a divine basis and is not dispensable. While he believes God's holiness must include punishment, God's salvific action encompasses the whole of God's redemptive activity and cannot be narrowed to the cross, because this would make God's actions sequential.

Vidu's theological outlook is a combination of Calvinist orthodoxy and a classical view of God. He dismisses as anthropomorphisms any biblical evidence that appears to call into question this view.

When dealing with historical figures, the book includes numerous references to secondary literature. This practice exposes readers to a diversity of interpretations, but, unless specific authors are the subject of an extended analysis, no attention is given to their priorities. Readers unfamiliar with them are provided no help in adjudicating their claims. For example, when Vidu appeals to Paul Althaus's interpretation of Luther, he supplies no information about the theological priorities at work there (113).

This book assumes familiarity with theological and philosophical terminology. Various theories of the atonement are discussed without ever being explained. Words and phrases such as “deontologism” (152) and “perichoretic unity” (264) are used without explanation.

Repeatedly, the author underlines the modest purposes of his undertaking. These modest aspirations suggest similarly limited expectations. The value of this book lies in the interesting insights regarding theology and culture picked up along the journey rather than in its overall accomplishments.