Christianity
Contrasts in atonement
Part of building a good analysis involves contrasting one point with another counter-point. In theories of atonement we are asked to study three: Christus Victor, Christ as substitute and Jesus as a moral example – as models to explain the meaning of Jesus’ death. In the table below, fill in the two contrasting views to the Christus Victor model.
Compare your answers to those given. Can you think of another (or better) key picture to explain the different theories?
| Christus Victor | Christ as substitute | A moral example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Bible verse | Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 3:15) | We are like straying sheep but God laid on his son the sin of all of us (Isaiah 53:6) | Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) |
Key idea |
Liberation of humanity from hostile powers |
|
|
|
Jesus died in our place to satisfy the justice and holiness of God – taking our punishment.
|
Perfect example of love and giving up one’s life to save others.
|
||
Key picture |
The defeat of Nazism by the allied forces. |
|
|
|
Maximillian Kolbe takes the place of a condemned woman in Auschwitz and dies.
|
Someone saves a drowning person but they themselves drown in the process.
|
Answer the following questions
1. Try writing an explanation of the Christus Victor theory which relates the word ‘atonement’ to the word ‘sin’.
2. Try writing an explanation of the Christ as substitute theory which relates the word ‘atonement’ to the word ‘sin’.
1. Try writing an explanation of the Christus Victor theory which relates the word ‘atonement’ to the word ‘sin’.
Example: One theory of the atonement, the ransom theory, sees the world captive and enslaved to sin by the devil, and a ransom price is paid by Jesus in blood to set us free.
2. Try writing an explanation of the Christ as substitute theory which relates the word ‘atonement’ to the word ‘sin’.
Example: One theory of the atonement sees Jesus as substitute, taking the just punishment for sin, which is death for every sinful human being, in his own body so we can be released from its penalty (NB this is sometimes called the theory of penal substitution – a legal idea).