Nature of Atonement

This being mt first post on my third blog, I want to set the stage. This first post perhaps will be a lens to interpret other writing through, a small examination of atonement. Atonement that I have experienced and appreciate. While I by no means plan on continually commenting on theological writings and concepts it may be important to see the deepest part of a person and there convictions before taking part in the reading of light hearted reading of articles. Now without further delay, a short survey of atonement as I comprehend it.

Why Atonement?

When Adam committed the sin of disobedience to God humanity fell. When Adam chose sin to be his master in place of God he would pass his master to his children and so on. Each person is born with the guilt of sin, an inherit sin from Adam. This of course is the base for all the sin that is committed in everyones lives. In this condition we are guilty and if justice was to be served to us in this condition we would be granted nothing lighter than damnation. (Romans 6:23) Now God is sovereign and did have the power to pardon all of there sin as perhaps some liberal universalist theologians may suggest but to work according to His own nature and set the example. If death is the just result of our condition only death could deliver us. it is here that Sacrifice comes into role.

Sacrifice

Under the mosaic covenant Jewish Priests offered sacrifices daily to cover the sins of the people but Jesus offered a better sacrifice than they priests could offer, the blood of animals could not remit the sins of man. But Jesus offers himself, the perfect sacrifice for sin and as the sin in the old covenant was put upon an animal that was offered so was all sin put on Christ. The difference being that with Christ his single offering was enough for all time.

Substitution

As it was our punishment to death it was Christ who bore the punishment. It is our place to have to die and be punished for our sin but Christ stood in our place of punishment for us. Ultimately the innocent took the guilt of the guilty. Apart from the reality of Christs substitution there is no way to God.

Propitiation

The punishment that sinners would have had to bear would have been from the wrath of God. This isn't a hot rage but a Holy considerate justice that needs to be met. When Jesus became the substitute he also became the propitiation, that is the full measure that Gods holy wrath called for. Jesus became what was needed to appease the Wrath of God. To do this it was as if as Christ was dying he became the greatest sinner and bore death as a sinner, death without hope, with the sting.

Reconciliation

By this work of Christ we are at peace with God without wrath directed towards us, if it is accepted. We are no longer at enmity with God.

Lastly

While Jesus was fully God he was also Fully Human. He lived in a way to set the moral example, he set the new humanity apart from the one that Adam blemished, one that can be entered through his atonement. And we are called to follow Him.