In the OP we see some errors listed - but also a bit of truth in almost every case. So then - leaving out the options that have almost no truth at all to them - I re-present the list in the OP where error is removed in each case and only Truth left in
- The Ransom Theory: Christ offered himself as a ransom (Mark 10:45). The wages of sin is death and Satan claims those who like-him - choose rebellion and sin should be members of his kingdom and under his rule. God's Law (not Satan) demands death of the sinner as "payment" -- "The wages of sin is death" Rom 6:23. So that His Own law is upheld rather than destroyed by the Gospel - He had to pay the full price demanded by the Law in the case of the sinner. And pay that full debt for all.
- The Recapitulation Theory: . Christ is the second Adam as we see in Romans 5. As in Adam all die - so in Christ all may be made alive and have eternal life - if they accept the Gospel
- The Satisfaction (or Commercial) Theory: God's Law (Justice) could only be satisfied by the second death debt paid for every sin of every sinner in all of time... only one being in the universe could pay such a price. God Himself. God so loved that "He gave" not "That He demanded" .
- The Penal-Substitution Theory: penal substitution pays the debt we owe in the person of Christ "nailing our certificate of debt" to the cross. Col 2. Our speeding-ticket, our debt demanded by the LAW of God for the sin we committed
- The Moral-Example Theory (or Moral-Influence Theory): Christ lived and died to provide a perfect example for man 1 John 2 says we who are born again, and claim to know Christ, "should walk as he walked". And we are to "Take up our cross" and follow Christ Matthew 10
- The Governmental Theory: Christ an example of suffering to exhibit to erring man that sin is displeasing to him. God's moral government of the universe made it necessary for him to evince his wrath against sin -- and so we have the lake of fire - the second death for all sinners, both demons and wicked men. So to save mankind and still uphold the Law of God that rules the universe Christ died to show that the debt the law demanded is paid rather than God's law bent or abolished in order to save the sinner
- The Declaratory Theory: Christ died to show men how greatly God loves them. What love is this - that God died for us - while we were yet sinners Romans 5.
<<3.And He says "he who believes on me shall never die".>>
Here lies the dilemma of the new covenant; what could this possibly mean; suppose He said, “he who trusts in/on me shall never die”; does this mean something different; could He mean, “he who trusts on me to boil eggs will never die”; or, “he who trusts in me to wash My socks will never die”. Suppose He said, “he who trusts in Me to confirm the covenant will never die”; implied is the truster is in covenant with Jesus; rephrased, the truster is atoned with Jesus or the truster is reconciled to Jesus.
John 11:45 (NKJV)
45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.
But what did they believe, or what should they have believed. What did those Jews who sought to kill Him believe. The Pharisees believed in salvation, but did they have the expectation of eternal life or was their salvation merely to do with this first carnal life (saved from the Romans)?
I am glad to see my idea is not listed below. Theory is to do with science; the definition of science embraces theory; While the word can be used in a secular manner. Scientifically, theory is formally structured making it different to an idea; it was explained to me that mine was an idea; and their reasoning went something like this, if it walks like a duck or if it quacks like a duck or if it swims like a duck then it is not a theory.
The Ransom Theory:
The Recapitulation Theory:
The Satisfaction (or Commercial) Theory:
The Penal-Substitution Theory:
The Moral-Example Theory (or Moral-Influence Theory):
The Governmental Theory:
The Declaratory Theory:
What role does the Holy Spirit play in these theories?
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