Atonement Flashcards
(42 cards)
What does atonement mean in Christian theology?
The action of making amends for a wrong or injury
The reconciliation between humanity and God
This is achieved through life, death + resurrection of Christ
What is the significance of Jesus’ death?
By Jesus’ life and death, Jesus brought salvation to humanity
Adam and Eve disobeying God by eating forbidden fruit
Damages humanity’s relationship with God
Humanity inherits original sin + separated from God- in need of reconciliation
What is the role of sacrifice in Ancient Jewish tradition?
Animal sacrifices offered to atone sin to restore relationship with God
Jesus referred to as LAMB of God
“Here is the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world”- John 1:29
—> death on cross to serve ultimate sacrifice
What happened in the Sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22?
God provides a ram as a substitute for Isaac
Parallels how Jesus’ death serves as a substitute for humanity’s sins
What is Soteriology?
The study of salvation + how it is achieved
Theories:
- Christus Victor
- Moral Example
- Substitution
What is the Christus Victor theory of atonement?
Earliest model of atonement
God battles against sin and the devil
Jesus’ death + resurrection as victory over powers of evil
God triumphs by reconciling the world to himself
Sin + devil no longer have power over humanity
Christ conqueror and King
What does the ransom theory of Christus Victor imply?
Jesus’ death acts as ransom to free humanity from captivity to evil forces
- Liberation from captivity- sin, death, devil
- Payment- Jesus’ death
- A captor- the devil/ death
Iraeneus can be used in support of the Christus Victor model- what is his view?
Humans were in Gods debt having sinned
Jesus defeated evil
This cancelled out our debt
What role does the devil play in Christus Victor theory?
Devil holds power over humanity due to sin
Jesus’ death + resurrection acts as a victory over the devil
What is the bait and hook analogy in Christus Victor and who popularised it?
Christs humanity- bait to attract the devil
Christ’s divinity- hook that trapped the devil, leading to devil’s defeat
Popularised by: Gregory the Great and Martin Luther
How did Gustav Aulen contribute to the Christus Victor model?
He repopularised the Christus Victor model in the 30s
Argued that Jesus’ death is not about paying ransom to the devil but a victory over evil
Viewed Christ’s work as a liberation from the powers of sin and death
What does Mark (10:45) say in support of the Christus Victor model?
“For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
What does 1 Timothy 2:5-6 say in support of the Christus Victor model?
“There is one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all.”
How does the Christus Victor model differ from other atonement theories?
Christus Victor focuses on victory over evil, while other theories, (eg. penal substitution theory), focus on payment for sin or satisfaction of God’s justice.
Christus Victor emphasizes liberation rather than transaction.
Why was the Christus Victor model popular in the early church?
Christus Victor was popular because it reflected the early church’s emphasis on Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the devil.
It celebrated Jesus as a divine conqueror who liberated humanity from evil.
How did Martin Luther interpret Christus Victor?
Luther saw Jesus’ death as a dramatic battle between God and the devil, where the devil was tricked into killing Jesus, who was both fully human (the bait) and fully divine (the hook), leading to the devil’s defeat.
What are the key problems with the Christus Victor Model?
It has less emphasis on human guilt + sinfulness
Humans presented as victims who need a hero to save them
Not a lot of biblical evidence to support this model
What is the central idea of the substitution model of atonement?
God gave Jesus in our place to pay the debt that we owed
Humanity sinned showing God dishonour + this needed satisfaction
Humanity doesn’t have power to settle debt themselves- only God (Jesus) can do this
Christ’s death restores God’s honour + fulfills humanity’s debt
Christ’s obedience to death the merit needed to save us
Who is the key scholar associated with the Substitution model of atonement?
St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1142)
What does Isaiah 53:5 say in support of substitution model/ penal substitution model?
“He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities.”
What does Galatians 3:13 say in support of substitution model?
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.”
What are major criticisms of the Substitution model of atonement?
It emphasises honor and justice based on a feudal model
—>can be seen as culturally specific and not fully biblical.
No justice in punishing the innocent is place of guilt
God is a tyrant requiring his son’s torture + death
—> not all loving/ omnibenevolent
What does Penal Substitution emphasise in the atonement?
Development of substitution model
16th century
Justice shows laws set by God and violated by humans cannot go unpunished
Christ’s death was necessary to satisfy God’s justice for the sins of humanity
—>Christ takes on the punishment humanity deserves.
Who are the key scholars associated with Penal Substitution?
Martin Luther
John Calvin
