Theories of atonement

Tree of Life

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My favorite view is Penal Substitutionary Atonement because it's the view that the Old Testament Scripture, Jesus, and the Apostles taught.

Beyond this I enjoy Christus Victor and Christus Exemplar because they are implications of PSA. I suppose the satisfaction view is also implied in PSA, although PSA is simply a better version of the satisfaction view.
 
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Tree of Life

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I don't understand why some people believe that only one theory can be correct. What if they all are correct? BTW... penal substitution.

I believe that many other theories are implications of PSA and depend upon the truth of PSA. So PSA and Christus Victor are not at all mutually exclusive. But Christus Victor makes no sense without PSA.

But there are theories which are mutually exclusive. The ransom theory and PSA cannot both be true.
 
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Not David

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I don't understand why some people believe that only one theory can be correct. What if they all are correct? BTW... penal substitution.
More than one can be valid but not all can be valid since some contradict others and even the Bible.
 
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More than one can be valid but not all can be valid since some contradict others and even the Bible.
Yeah. I guess ransom and christus victor wouldn't fit well together.
 
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TrevorL

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Greetings David,
What are your favorite ones and why?
I believe that Jesus is our representative. He inherited our nature through Mary, but as a sinless human being he overcame the initial effects of the sin that was introduced in Eden, and the grave could not hold him Acts 2:24. God raised him from the dead and granted him immortality. He is set forth as our example and representative, and if we believe in him, in his death and resurrection, and in his coming kingdom, then we will be motivated to be baptised into his death and resurrection Romans 6:1-8, Acts 8:5-6,12. This is a ceasing of our old way of life, a crucifixion of the flesh, a burial in water, and then a resurrection to a new way of life motivated by the love of God and love of Jesus Christ Galatians 2:20. We receive forgiveness of sins when we affectionately believe this, the gospel of the Name and Kingdom, and God is thus glorified for his righteousness, truth and mercy Romans 3:25-26. Sin and the sinner are condemned and thus justice and righteousness are upheld, but God's mercy shines.

Kind regards
Trevor
 
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Mark_Sam

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The Anselmian satisfaction theory, where the Son gives up his life as a pleasing sacrifice to the Father on our behalf, thereby making propitiation for our sins.

As opposed to Penal Substitution Atonement, where the Son becomes something so ugly and disgusting on the cross that the Father cannot stand him, and has to punish him with wrath and hellfire.
 
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thecolorsblend

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The Anselmian satisfaction theory, where the Son gives up his life as a pleasing sacrifice to the Father on our behalf, thereby making propitiation for our sins.

As opposed to Penal Substitution Atonement, where the Son becomes something so ugly and disgusting on the cross that the Father cannot stand him, and has to punish him with wrath and hellfire.
One criticism I have of PSA is that it does not result in actual forgiveness of sins. The Father still punishes sin. The punishment is simply transferred to Our Lord rather than those who are actually guilty of the sins.

PSA does not describe forgiveness; it describes a process of debt consolidation.

Satisfaction Theory allows for Sacred Scripture to be correct when it says that Our Lord is how our sins are forgiven.
 
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Tree of Life

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One criticism I have of PSA is that it does not result in actual forgiveness of sins. The Father still punishes sin. The punishment is simply transferred to Our Lord rather than those who are actually guilty of the sins.

PSA does not describe forgiveness; it describes a process of debt consolidation.

Satisfaction Theory allows for Sacred Scripture to be correct when it says that Our Lord is how our sins are forgiven.

If that's your complaint with PSA, I'm afraid that the Satisfaction theory suffers from the same illusory problem. In the Satisfaction theory, God cannot forgive until something of greater value than what was destroyed is offered to him.
 
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thecolorsblend

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If that's your complaint with PSA, I'm afraid that the Satisfaction theory suffers from the same illusory problem. In the Satisfaction theory, God cannot forgive until something of greater value than what was destroyed is offered to him.
PSA does not offer forgiveness.

Satisfaction Theory offers forgiveness of sins through the merits of a perfect and eternal sacrifice.

These facts cannot be denied no matter how much cognitive dissonance they create.
 
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Jonaitis

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One criticism I have of PSA is that it does not result in actual forgiveness of sins. The Father still punishes sin. The punishment is simply transferred to Our Lord rather than those who are actually guilty of the sins.

PSA does not describe forgiveness; it describes a process of debt consolidation.

Satisfaction Theory allows for Sacred Scripture to be correct when it says that Our Lord is how our sins are forgiven.

In order to freely forgive the guilty without compromising his justice, he transfers the guilt to Christ. It is very simple, actually. But there are other ways to look at this from a biblical standpoint.
 
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thecolorsblend

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In order to freely forgive the guilty without compromising his justice, he transfers the guilt to Christ. It is very simple, actually. But there are other ways to look at this from a biblical standpoint.
Yes, I gathered that. But that’s unjust, absolutely illogical and does not result in forgiveness for sins.

The PSA model merely transfers the punishment for sin from one party to another. But nothing whatsoever is forgiven with PSA.

Satisfaction Theory does allow for actual forgiveness.
 
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Jonaitis

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Yes, I gathered that. But that’s unjust, absolutely illogical and does not result in forgiveness for sins.

The PSA model merely transfers the punishment for sin from one party to another. But nothing whatsoever is forgiven with PSA.

Satisfaction Theory does allow for actual forgiveness.

However, this passage comes to mind...

"And you...God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside nailing it to the cross" (Col. 1:13, 14).

What I also find interesting about this passage is what was nailed to the cross? Jesus. Yet, the record of debt that stood against us was nailed. Pretty interesting language.
 
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thecolorsblend

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However, this passage comes to mind...

"And you...God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside nailing it to the cross" (Col. 1:13, 14).

What I find interesting about this passage too is what was nailed to the cross? Jesus. Yet, the record of debt that stood against us was nailed. Pretty interesting.
If you’re searching for a proof text regarding PSA, try again. That passage is wide open to interpretation. Even the Christus Victor crowd will cite that one sometimes.

Also, that passage is fine by itself but other parts of Sacred Scripture say we are forgiven; not that the juridical punishment for our sins has been set upon Our Lord or whatever else.

PSA does not describe a process whereby sin is forgiven. It simply puts the punishment we’re due onto somebody else. It’s an interesting (though heretical) concept. But that’s not forgiveness.
 
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Jonaitis

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If you’re searching for a proof text regarding PSA, try again. That passage is wide open to interpretation. Even the Christus Victor crowd will cite that one sometimes.

It is what came to mind, doesn't that ever happen to you?

Show me how this passage doesn't prove PSA and has room for others?
 
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