2C Atonement

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.