Theological Concepts and Models of Atonement

Overview of the Chapter

• This chapter focuses on the first half, primarily on the doctrine of salvation and its overarching themes.
• Special emphasis on the doctrinal, historical, and biblical aspects related to salvation, particularly the first two-thirds of the chapter, which will be the focus of the quiz.
• Important terms to know: soteriology, atonement, divine human agency, monergism, synergism, Calvinism, Arminianism.

Key Concepts in Salvation

• Salvation is in response to the corruption of the world caused by sin. God achieves salvation through Jesus' death and resurrection.
• The big idea sentence from the chapter clarifies that God applies this salvation through the Spirit to people of faith.

Models of Atonement

• The chapter discusses various models of atonement to understand how Christ's sacrificial death reconciles humanity with God:
  • Divine Restitution: Focuses on offenses against God, with models like penal substitution, satisfaction theory, ransom theory, etc.
  • Victory Over Evil Powers: Focuses on Jesus' victory over evil, emphasizing the defeat of Satan and death, with models such as Christus Victor and ransom model.
  • Transforming Vision: Centers on human beings and their relationship with God, examining moral influence and moral example models.

Key Terms and Theories

• Soteriology: The theological study of salvation.
• Atonement: Refers to the reconciling act between God and humanity through Jesus Christ.
• The textbook identifies different families of atonement theories: divine restitution, victory over evil powers, and transforming vision.

Distinct Atonement Models

1. Divine Restitution Family:

   • Satisfaction Model: Human sin creates an infinite offense against God’s honor, which must be restored through Christ’s sacrifice.
   • Penal Substitution Model: Focuses on God's justice; Christ’s death serves as a substitute for the penalty humanity deserves.

2. Victory Over Evil Powers Family:

   • Christus Victor: Emphasizes Christ's victory over Satan, death, and evil powers through His resurrection.
   • Ransom Model: Views Christ’s death as a ransom paid to Satan, freeing humanity from bondage.

3. Transforming Vision Family:

   • Moral Influence: Stresses Christ’s sacrificial love as a pull, drawing humanity back into a relationship with God.
   • Moral Example: Christ’s life serves as a push for believers to live sacrificially, establishing a model of discipleship.

The Importance of Covenants

• Covenants are described as the backbone of the Bible. Major covenants include:
  • The Abrahamic Covenant: God’s promise to bless nations through Abraham’s descendants.
  • The Mosaic Covenant: God’s law is given to Israel, establishing them as His people.
  • The Davidic Covenant: God's promise of an everlasting dynasty through David.
  • New Covenant: Established through Jesus, focusing on internal transformation via the Spirit.

The Role of the Creed in Salvation

• The Nicene Creed outlines key aspects of salvation, including Jesus’ incarnation, death, and resurrection, affirming the centrality of these events in the Christian faith.

Reflection and Application

• It's highlighted that understanding different models gives insight into the multifaceted nature of salvation and how believers interact with this truth. Some models may resonate more strongly with personal experience or denominational beliefs, but a holistic understanding recognizes the value in various perspectives.