Reconciling sinful men who are in full rebellion to a loving and holy God is, by human logic, an impossible problem. These are theories of atonement, based on human logic, not the reality of atonement. They can help satisfy our desire to understand “how” Jesus did it, but may not bear much resemblance to God’s thoughts.
Thankfully, at the end of the day, we aren’t saved by theories. We’re saved by Jesus!
As N.T Wright says:
“Doctrinal definition can only go so far. Shorthand slogans and technical language are helpful when making sure that we are not losing sight of something vital, but they must not be mistaken for the real thing.
N. T. Wright, The Day the Revolution Began (pp. 21-22). HarperOne.
I personally discount theories of atonement based on either accounting (balancing a debt) or legal justice (satisfying God’s demand for justice). That leaves the Christus Victor and Healing Views. I don’t think God relates to us as either an accountant or a lawyer. Scripture assures us that God is love.
The Bible doesn’t offer us theories of atonement. Instead, it holds pictures and symbols that point us in the right direction. Jesus chose the Passover as the setting for his death on the cross, and he used a Seder to put it into context for his disciples. That should be our starting point to bring the right pictures to our minds.
- Jesus is the Lamb of God. The sacrifice of the Passover lamb was not originally instituted for the purpose of atoning for sin. Instead, the blood of the lamb painted on the doorframes in the pattern of a cross served to shelter them as God’s judgement swept Egypt. In the same way, Christians who are now “in Christ” are safe and protected from God’s judgement on the last day.
- Just as God, through Moses, led his chosen people out of slavery in Egypt, Jesus is leading mankind on a new exodus out of slavery to sin.
- At the last supper, Jesus explained his death as the “seal of the new covenant”. Jesus the Messiah is inaugurating by his death the new covenant prophesied by Jeremiah, which would bring forgiveness for sin, and then restoration.
In addition, the Old Testament gives us pictures of redemption in the form of living parables:
- Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah
- Passover
- Kinsman Redeemer
- Deadly Serpents in the Desert
- Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement
- David and Goliath
- Hosea and Gomer
These are the pictures to hold onto and the keys to understanding atonement.
Sources
There are three excellent sources that explain atonement theories:
The Nature of the Atonement: Four Views
Edited by James Beilby & Paul R. Eddy
With contributions by Gregory A. Boyd, Joel B. Green, Bruce R. Reichenbach & Thomas R. Schreiner
Atonement and the Death of Christ
by William Lane Craig