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Book Review: Healing Atonement of the Holy Spirit

of healing in the atonement ‘for victims and victimizers from an Asian American perspective’ (p. v). In the first one-third of the book the author gives a brief review of eight atonement theories and then his ideas on atonement as the liberation of the oppressed, the salvation of the oppressors and the restoration of nature. Structurally speaking, the book presents a kind of lecture-like framework for an introduction to the atonement. The highlight of the book is found in its emphasizing the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete (the ‘Advocate’) who ‘assumes a pivotal role in redeeming humanity and renewing the whole creation’ (p. vi) to continue the work of atonement initiated by Jesus. According to Park, the Holy Spirit that ‘underwent suffering with the crucified Jesus is called the Paraclete’ (p. 61). Therefore, the wounded and resurrected Holy Spirit ‘knows the depth of human suffering and grief and the exhilarating joy of the resurrection’ (p. 62). The Paraclete comforts and heals because of Paraclete’s own experience. Such a healing work applies not only to human beings but even to animals and nature. To heal the wound of animals and nature caused by human sin is also included in the atonement. Creation can only hope to be liberated from ecological disruptions through the healing process carried out by the Holy Spirit. Apparently, this book does not follow the traditional format of treating the atonement simply as the salvation of humanity from sin. Instead it focuses on the atonement’s healing power for the liberation of victims from their wounds. The reason for this is explained in the Introduction: ‘The cross of Christianity can be a sign of oppression or a mark of salvation’ (p. x). In the author’s view, the oppressed find no help for their salvation from those traditional atonement theories which bolster ‘virtuous suffering’ and sacralize victimhood. As an Asian American, the author is sensitive to ‘the distinctions between the group of sinners and the group of victims’, which are easily discerned according to race, gender, and class, and asserts that ‘Jesus particularly cares about the downtrodden’. In this sense, despite its extensive initial discussion of atonement theories, this book is motivated by ethical rather than simply doctrinal concerns. Consequently it is only in an ethical sense that we can agree with such a claim declared by Park, ‘His [Christ’s] suffering and death made it clear that victims of violence are not all sinners or the cursed’ (p. 70).