Sacrifice
A theme in the Old Testament where sacrifice is seen as mending the relationship between people and God, exemplified by Abraham's sacrifice of a ram and God's command to slaughter and eat lamb on Passover.
Christus Victor
A reinterpretation of the Ransom model by Gustaf Aulen, suggesting that Jesus' death was a victory over evil, freeing souls from the devil's claim through a spiritual battle.
Satisfaction & Penal substitution theory
Anselm's Satisfaction theory posits Jesus' sacrifice as reparation for the infinite offence of Adam and Eve's sin, while Penal substitution theory argues Jesus took the punishment to satisfy God's moral law.
Moral exemplar/influence theory
Peter Abelard's theory proposing that Jesus' sacrifice serves as a moral example influencing humanity to act morally, emphasizing the indirect power of Jesus' sacrifice to inspire moral behavior.
Original sin
St. Augustine's doctrine suggesting all humanity inherited sin from Adam, raising questions about moral responsibility and the justice of imputing Adam's guilt to all.
Consistency of atonement theories
Scholars like Abelard, N.T. Wright, and W.L. Craig argue that various atonement theories explain different aspects of the crucifixion, with each claiming their preferred theory as central while acknowledging the validity of others.
What is the theme of sacrifice in the Old Testament?
Sacrifice mends the relationship between people and God.
Who is referred to as the "lamb of God" in John 1:29?
Jesus
What is the Christus Victor model based on?
The early Ransom model
What is the Ransom model?
Jesus' death as a ransom to redeem humanity from sin
Who proposed the Satisfaction theory?
St. Anselm
What does the Satisfaction theory propose?
Jesus' sacrifice as reparation for the infinite offence of sin
What is the Penal Substitution theory based on?
God's moral law being satisfied through Jesus' sacrifice
What does the Moral exemplar/influence theory focus on?
Atonement through Jesus' moral example influencing humanity
According to Abelard, what was the central aspect of the atonement?
Moral Example
Abelard, N.T Wright argue for crucifixion
Not contradictory but complementary explanations of the crucifixion
What does William Lane Craig argue
Penal Substitution
What does N.T
Christus Victor
Sacrifice
A theme in the Old Testament is that ______ mends the relationship between people and God.
Christus Victor
The ______ model is based on the early Ransom model.
Satisfaction
St Anselm proposed the ______ theory, which means reparation.
Penal substitution theory
The ______ is a development of Anselm’s satisfaction theory by the protestant reformers.
Moral exemplar/influence theory
Peter Abelard developed this theory as a reaction against Anselm’s satisfaction theory, emphasizing the role of Jesus as a ______.
Consistency
Many scholars claim that the atonement theories are not contradictory but that we can and should believe them to all be valid explanations of different aspects of the meaning of the crucifixion.