The campfire stories of our Christian journey, passed down through generations, centre on one pivotal concept: atonement. This uniquely English theological term, "at-one-ment," speaks to a reconciliation, a bridging of the chasm between humanity and God. While other faiths speak of divine forgiveness, only Christianity proclaims that this forgiveness was wrought by God's own agent, Jesus Christ. But what, precisely, transpired on that fateful day? For two millennia, we have grappled with this enigma. Even Jesus, in his earthly ministry, offered glimpses rather than explicit explanations. He spoke of the "necessity" of the Son of Man's suffering, of his body and blood "poured out for many, for the forgiveness of sins." Yet, the precise mechanism – exactly what, on a cosmic scale his death would achieve - remained shrouded in mystery.
The early Christians, seeking understanding, turned to the Hebrew Bible. They found, in the prophecies of Isaiah, the enigmatic figure of the "Servant of God," who "poured out his soul to death, and bore the sin of many." They read that "The LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." While Jewish interpretations varied, the early Christians discerned a powerful resonance between this servant and Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul and other New Testament writers employed four key concepts to articulate this connection: sacrifice, propitiation, reconciliation, and ransom.
First, **sacrifice**. In the Jewish tradition, sacrifice was a ritual of atonement, a means of appeasing divine wrath. From humble offerings to grand oblations, the belief was that a precious offering could stem God's anger. This concept led to the second: **propitiation**. The early thinkers believed that Christ's death was a propitiation, an appeasement of God's wrath. Through his suffering, they asserted, Jesus satisfied divine justice.
Third, **reconciliation**. This propitiating sacrifice, they believed, brought about reconciliation, a restoration of fellowship between humanity and God. This is the very essence of atonement, the "at-one-ment" that unites us with our Creator. As Paul wrote, "God through Christ was reconciling the world to himself." Fourth, **ransom**. To further deepen the meaning of the cross, the early writers introduced the concept of ransom. Enslaved by sin, and thus by Satan, the father of sin, we required a redeemer, a ransom paid to liberate us. As Mark records, Jesus declared that he came "to give his life as a ransom to many."
Yet, these early interpretations were not without their critics. Questions arose, challenging the very foundations upon which these doctrines rested. Was God truly a God of wrath? After all, Jesus himself proclaimed, "God so loved the world..." He revealed a God of love, a Father, Abba, who understands and forgives. Could this loving Father truly harbour wrath? Some argue that love and anger are not mutually exclusive, that a loving parent can indeed experience both.
Another point of contention was the existence of Satan. Is he a literal being, or a metaphor for the pervasive evil in the world? How could an all-powerful God permit a demonic being to torment his children? If Satan is merely a metaphor, then what need for a ransom? These questions challenged the traditional understanding of the cross, prompting theologians to seek new interpretations.
One such interpretation, proposed by Peter Abelard in the 11th century, was the **moral example**. For Abelard, Christ's death was a profound demonstration of God's love, a love so great that he aligned himself with human suffering. This act of love, Abelard argued, elicits a grateful response from humanity, inspiring us to live according to God's will.
In the 16th century, Faustus Socinus offered another perspective: the **supreme example**. Socinus saw Christ's death as a model of perfect obedience, a testament to unwavering trust in God, even in the face of suffering and death. As Peter wrote, "Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."
In the 20th century, Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, introduced the concept of the **myth of redemptive violence**. Williams argued that Jesus' death was the ultimate consequence of his refusal to combat violence with violence. He exposed the fallacy of believing that greater violence can solve the world's problems. Christ is not a hero, in the tradition of Greek gods, or superman. He doesn’t just use more violence to defeat the world’s violence. Rather. he absorbed the world's violence, transforming it through love. He even generates faith and hope in those around him at the moment of his death, such as the thief, the centurion, and in his dying care for his mother. Furthermore, Williams suggested that the cross is a stark illustration of what happens when we remove God from our lives, pushing him to the margins of society – literally outside the City - silencing his voice.
These interpretations, and countless others, offer diverse perspectives on the meaning of the cross. The symbolism of blood, the Day of Atonement, and many other theological concepts add further layers of complexity. But what, then, is the truth?
For me, the answer lies in embracing the totality of these interpretations. "All of the above!" I believe that each perspective holds a kernel of truth, even if that truth is metaphorical. Even if Satan is a metaphor, we still struggle against the forces of evil. If the metaphor of ransom helps us in this struggle, let us use it. If God is love, he is also capable of righteous anger. If the concept of propitiation helps us understand the transition from anger to forgiveness, let us embrace it.
Our task, on the journey of faith, is to continue exploring the depths of this mystery, peeling back the layers of meaning, discovering new insights with each passing Good Friday. The death of Jesus is an inexhaustible source of wonder, a canvas for our imaginations, a testament to the boundless love of God. Let us, then, embrace this mystery, and allow it to transform our lives, shaping us into the image of the one who died for us all.
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