A Thumbnail Theology – Peter Lundell, D.Miss.
“Atonement” was coined by William Tyndale (1494?-1536), who was the first translator of the Bible into English. It means “at-one-ment,” in terms of being reconciled to God.(Not the Eastern mysticism misuse of the term.)
It is best defined to mean “to reconcile by paying a price.”
?????????? (hilasterion) in the Greek.
It has two facets or functions:
Propitiation, to appease guilt.
Expiation, to extinguish guilt.
Christ’s atonement on the cross is deeply tied to atonement in the Old Testament.
• Passover
• Levitical sacrifices
• Atonement cover of the Ark of the Covenant
• Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and the two goats
• Isaiah’s chapter 53
Substitutionary Atonement
This is the primary and most foundational aspect of the atonement, on which all other biblical views depend.
Jesus takes our place of deserved death and becomes the sacrifice for the sin of all humanity.
• Hebrews 2:14–18 — valid as a human by the incarnation (identifies with us)
• Hebrews 7:24–25; 9:12–14 — valid for all time by his eternal godhood.
—–
• Romans 3:23–25
• Romans 6:23
• 2 Corinthians 5:21
• Galatians 3:13
• Ephesians 5:2
• Hebrews 2:9
• 1 Peter 3:18
• 1 John 2:2; 4:10
These two views are theological extensions of substitutionary atonement. They are not necessarily part of basic biblical substitutionary atonement and should be distinguished from it.
Satisfaction View (Anselm)
Christ’s atonement satisfies the honor of God. God is like a baron; we are like serfs. Our sin gets us into debt with God, and he cannot simply forgive us and maintain his honor. Our debt is infinitely great, so a mere human could not repay it, but it had to be paid by a human.
Penal Substitution View (Calvin)
Christ’s atonement satisfies the wrath of God. The atonement appeases God’s wrath. Calvin taught (inconsistent to TULIP, but biblically) that Christ’s atonement takes the punishment for the sins of all people, but Beza and later Calvinists narrowed it to only the elect. This is why Nazarene theologians tend to reject this view.
Governmental View (Hugo Grotius)
A prominent view of Wesleyan-Arminians in opposition to Calvin’s Penal Substitution view as limited to the elect. But John Wesley agreed with Calvin’s view, minus the elect part.
Christ’s atonement was a substitute or alternative for what we deserve—but not as a penal substitution. Jesus didn’t have to die. God could have forgiven another way without the cross. Sin as a violation of the law is the problem. Maintaining, or honoring, God’s law and justice is the issue. Jesus, as an innocent substitute, suffered as a punishment on our behalf. God didn’t want to forgive humanity without upholding the righteousness and justice of his laws. The crucifixion affirms that God’s grace is not cheap.
• Romans 3:25–26
Ransom View (Origen)
Christ’s atonement paid a price—a ransom—to Satan for humanity’s release from the prison of bondage. Bondage to Satan is the main problem. God redeeming humanity from Satan is the main issue. God “purchased” our salvation.
• Mark 10:45 // Matthew 2:28
• 1 Corinthians 6:20
• Galatians 3:10–14
• Revelation 5:9
Moral Influence View (Abelard, et al.)
Emphasizes God’s love. Human ignorance is the main problem. Christ died on the cross to demonstrate God’s love for sinners. Actions of Jesus are the ultimate act of love. This demonstration of God’s love causes people to repent and to change.
• Romans 5:8
• 1 John 4:8–10
Christus Victor View (Gustaf Aulen)
Christ’s atonement established God’s victory over Satan. Bondage to Satan is the main problem. Spiritual warfare is the main issue.
• Colossians 2:13–15
• 1 Corinthians 15:51–57
• Revelation 12:11
Healing View
Healing has always been part of the human experience with God, even before the atonement. Rather than debate whether healing is in the atonement, it is wiser to see that healing is like so many other things: Healing comes to fullness in the atonement.
• Isaiah 53:5
• 1 Peter 2:24
Imputation
Imputation of Adams’ Sin to Humanity
• Romans 5:12, 18–19
• 1 Corinthians 15:21–22
Imputation of Adam’s Sin to Christ
• 2 Cor. 5:21a — or embodiment
Imputation of Christ’s Righteousness to Humanity
• Romans 5:18–19
• 1 Corinthians 15:21–22
• 2 Cor. 5:21b — or embodiment
The difference between Calvinists and Wesleyan-Arminians:
Calvinists leave it at imputation. You’re saved and eternally secure in Christ.
(Which is why some Wesleyan-Arminians unfortunately object to imputation.)
For Wesleyan-Arminians imputation is the beginning; we move on from there.
Also note as related to incarnation, imputation, and the atonement:
The Doctrine of Recapitulation
(Irenaeus)
From Latin, essentially meaning “Summed up under a new head”
That is, God “recapitulated” humanity by summing it up under a new head.
• Romans 5:12–14; 18–19
• 1 Corinthians 15:21–22
Christ is the new Adam who succeeds where the first Adam failed as Christ undoes the sin and its consequences of the first Adam.
As the new head, Jesus Christ (1) reverses the course of humanity, and (2) leads humanity to eternal life because of his (a) incarnation, which unifies him with humanity, and because of his (b) moral perfection, by which he is worthy to make (c) atonement.
