Theologians are constantly accused of only speaking in theories, positing arguments to be considered by the mind with little bearing on the practicalities of life. This view is both blinkered and generally unjust, but it is also the case that some fit that description without perhaps realizing it. Chris Woodall argues that doctrine is not only a compelling tool but also a critical one, without which we would struggle to understand God's purpose or our place in it.

The atonement is not a subject that lends itself easily to being considered from a merely philosophical perspective. After all, how could you possibly present the atonement as being necessary, real, and beneficial without that presentation impinging on its practical application? In this book, Woodall seeks to treat the subject matter as a valid hermeneutic by which our understanding of the whole of scripture may be greatly enhanced. Thus, the concept of the atonement must be seen as both a continuous thread in the Bible and a key to unlocking some of its secrets.