Through
history, Christian theology has tried to identify several approaches and
conceptions of the Atonement of Christ as distinct from one another. Theologians
have put forward theories apparently distinct from one another, have giving
them names like Ransom, Recapitulation, Moral Influence, Satisfaction and other
names as they appeared in history, from the early centuries to the modern era.
WHY ARE THEY CONSIDERED DISTINCT FROM
ONE ANOTHER
Theologians
have made these distinctions according to the manner the Atonement was
explained at different times in history.
That way,
for example, the Ransom theory, where Jesus ransomed humans from eternal death,
is assigned to the early Church Fathers; while the more medieval Satisfaction
theory is assigned to Saint Anselm of Canterbury and so on.
ARE THEY REALLY DIFFERENT FROM ONE ANOTHER?
Even
though these different ways to explain the Atonement were presented by
different people at different times in history, looking at them in perspective
it can be seen that they are not essentially different from each other, but
only different aspects of the One and Only Atonement Jesus offered on the
Cross.
THE ATONEMENT AS IT IS
It is the
reconciliation between Humanity and its Creator through the Sacrifice of Jesus
of Nazareth on the Cross.
This
Sacrifice has different aspects as it happened:
IT WAS A
RANSOM, from Physical and Eternal Condemnation.
IT WAS A
SATISFACTORY SACRIFE, as payment on behalf of all Humanity for the punishment
due for their sins.
IT WAS
SUBSTITUTORY, as it was offered on behalf of all Humanity, passed, present and
future.
IT WAS
MORAL, as Jesus taught the way to live a perfect righteous life, in holiness,
according to God’s Will.
IT WAS
RECAPITULATING, by attaining the restauration of Humanity and all material
Creation to its former Glory and more.
This and
more was achieved at the Cross when the Son of God gave his life in
representation and for the benefit of all humanity; one and single act of
Atonement, offered by the Son to the Father, as supreme creator and judge, who
in his mercy and love made all this possible for our salvation.
Omar
Flores
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