The Death of the Messiah and the Birth of the New Covenant

Exploring the concept of atonement, Michael Gorman critiques existing models for neglecting the transformative purpose behind Jesus' death. He posits that the "new-covenant" model, potentially the earliest in Christian thought, emphasizes the creation of a Spirit-filled community rather than merely the mechanics of atonement. Gorman highlights the coherence of New Testament metaphors, presenting Jesus' death as the fulfillment of prophetic promises and the establishment of a covenant of peace, thereby reshaping the understanding of Christian community and identity.