I Will Repay

How can Christianity continue to rejoice over a redemption that came at the cost of the violent suffering and death of Jesus Christ? In the wake of increasing revulsion toward oppression and abuse--both historic and contemporary--traditionally Protestant and evangelical theology is in the precarious position of defending one of its cardinal doctrines amidst a host of compelling critiques and alternatives. In I Will Repay, Dennis Oh explores how soteriology rooted in Scripture and resonant with tradition can also be conversant with the cinematic experience offered by popular films. It proposes a narrative reenvisioning of the mechanism of atonement that both supports and extends traditional theological categories and vocabularies while retaining the cross-centered conviction of an evangelical gospel. ""One of the major conundrums affecting the atonement theology is prompted by a lack of dialogues between classical views with an emphasis on the retrospective aspect and their contemporary criticisms focusing on the prospective aspect. This book with a fresh insight of Oh's cinematic theology will make a significant contribution to deepening genuine dialogues."" --Jaeseung Cha, Associate Professor of Foundational and Constructive Theology, New Brunswick Theological Seminary ""This is a skillful and very readable exposition of the history and variety of atonement theologies as evinced both in Christianity and in contemporary film. Dennis Oh challenges the notion that cinema cannot contain the subtlety or sophistication of scriptural teachings, and this is an impressive, multifaceted book which shows not just how film can mirror theology but how theology can learn from, and be changed by, the encounter with film. Highly recommended."" --Chris Deacy, Reader in Theology and Religious Studies, University of Kent Dennis Oh graduated from Global Institute of Theology, Seoul, South Korea, and received his Th.D. from Yonsei University. He is currently visiting lecturer of theology and culture at Clark Theological College in Nagaland, India.