13
02
2008
Posted by: carrie in Spring 2008
Is predestination fair?:
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Does God predestine people to Hell?:
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Why did Christ die on the Cross?:
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Overview of the recapitualtion theory of the Atonement:
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February 23rd, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Session 4 Discussion Questions
1. The Recapitulation Theory teaches that Christ is the “second Adam” who essentially “undid” what Adam (and mankind) has done by living a perfect life. In what ways does the Recapitulation Theory help us to understand that God did not give up on His original intent for creating man, but is in the process of restoring man to what he was supposed to be? Discuss.
Reply: When man was initially created he was not inherently sinful. Human flesh is not intrinsically evil. Adam was not created sinful. He was created in a state of innocence. It is false to say “I sin because I am human.” Nor is it correct to say “To err is human.” To make such a statement is equivalent to stating that Christ was prone to error and sin because He was human and took upon Himself human flesh. When Adam fell he plunged his posterity into a state of alienation and separation from God and his progeny inherited a disposition that is bent and inclined toward evil. This is because sin permeates and pervades man’s entire being… The Image of God in man has been grossly distorted because of the entrance of sin into the human race.
As 100% human (and 100% God) Jesus Christ lived a sinless life in full compliance to God’s moral law. He succeeded where Adam and all his descendants have failed. As the first representative of the human race (our federal head) Adam plunged his posterity into sin and guilt. As the second representative of humanity Jesus Christ succeeded in every way in which Adam failed. His life of perfect righteousness is reckoned to be the life of everyone whom God the Father has given to the Son – to everyone who embraces Christ by faith.
Just as the Old Testament sacrifices had to be spotless and free of blemishes, even so, Jesus Christ had to live a spotless life free of sin in order to be the perfect Lamb of God. Jesus Christ is in the process of reconstituting mankind, of restoring men and women to a state of innocence and positive righteousness. Yes, we are said to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ and judicially declared to be in a position of righteousness, but God is also in the business of bringing those who believe in Jesus Christ into increasing conformity to the likeness of His Son. We are in the process of being made righteous and that process will be consummated on the Day of Redemption when we will personally gaze upon our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. In that day we will be like Him for we shall see Him as He is. Until then, we continue to grapple with our flesh and do battle with the remnant of sin within us.
Romans 8:29 ESV
(29) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
1 John 3:2 ESV
(2) Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
2. Dualism is the worldview that believes that there is a war between the good power (God) and an evil power (Satan). Both are equally powerful and both want to win. How does the Ransom to Satan Theory evidence a dualistic understanding of Christ’s death?
Reply: The notion that “all humanity was sold into bondage to Satan who had ‘legal’ rights to them” attributes far more power to Satan than he actually possesses and demeans the power of God. Satan is a created being who is permitted to exercise his limited power only as God permits. He was not eternally coexistent with the Creator, and he is not to be considered an equal and opposite force in the universe. Satan had no legal entitlement to those under his influence, and God is under no obligation to pay a ransom to him in order to free sinners from his control.
Michael pointed out in his lecture that it is the wrath and righteousness of God which demands payment, not the alleged ransom required by Satan. God is not legally bound to Satan in any way but is bound only to His own attributes. His own righteousness required that a ransom be paid to Himself.
3. Martin Luther once said that “Satan is God’s Satan.” How do we often live our lives as Dualists, acting as if Satan has more power than he actually does?
Reply: As I recall it was the famous comedian, Flip Wilson, who used to say, “The devil made me do it.” Wilson was implying he was powerless to stop himself because of the devil’s authority over him. Unfortunately, some professing Christians have adopted this mindset. Much of what is blamed on the devil is simply the remnant of the sin principle still active within the Christian who is unwilling to acknowledge he is succumbing to his own “sinful nature” as he relates to the allure of this world.
1 John 2:16 ESV
(16) For all that is in the world–the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions–is not from the Father but is from the world.
Finally, the believer needs to be reminded that the power of the One who indwells him far surpasses the power of the evil one.
1 John 4:4 ESV
(4) Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
4. Anselm’s Satisfaction Theory was a monumental change in history of Christian doctrine. It was the first time that it was articulated that the atonement was directed to the satisfaction of God Himself. How important of a change was this? Explain.
Reply: This was a pivotal time in church history because (as Michael indicated) this was the first time that God was emphasized as the offended party who must be satisfied .
This theory is also important because (with some modifications) it was later incorporated into the Protestant Reformed view of the atonement.
5. Considering the importance of understanding the atonement as directed towards God, how do you explain that the Church took nearly twelve centuries to articulate it this way?
Reply: Just as Scripture itself evidences the nature of progressive revelation – so does the history of the church evidence the progressive growth of understanding and sytematization of biblical doctrine. Remember, we have the advantage of “standing on the shoulders” of many Bible scholars and theologians who have gone before us. We benefit from many centuries of accumulated wisdom and understanding.
I think in some ways the church as a corporate entity is analogous to the growth in understanding that occurs in an individual baby Christian as he advances to the point of becoming a mature believer. He begins by digesting the milk of the word and grows to the point of assimilating meat. Similarly, in the gradual process of time the church has grown in understanding and wisdom…
6. One main point of the Governmental Theory is that “Christ could not have paid the exact penalty for people’s sins since He is not eternally punished in Hell. Further discuss how C.S. Lewis’ statement that the doors of Hell are locked from the inside might help us understand why Christ is not in Hell for eternity.
Reply: Michael explained that C.S. Lewis took the view that no true repentance occurs in hell. People in hell continue in their hatred toward God; they continue to raise their fists to God in defiance. Therefore, they deservedly remain in a place of damnation. There is no inclination on the part of the damned to repent in order to unlock the doors of Hell.
If the primary focus of Christ’s atoning work on the cross is the original sin of rebellion and unbelief in the lives of God’s elect, a sin in which the elect will not persist after they embrace Christ during the course of their lives on earth, then Christ is not obligated to be consigned to eternal punishment to pay for the sin of unbelief for those in Hell because they will forever persist in a willing state of unbelief and defiance with no possible hope of repentance. The atonement was not directed toward them.
7. Further discuss ways in which the Moral Example Theory of the atonement is insufficient.
Reply: This is the typical view of liberals who believe that meditating upon the moral quality of Christ’s life is sufficient to motivate mankind to emulate this same quality of life. Man redeems himself under his own power by simply modeling Christ’s life and looking to God who forgives man because he is trying to imitate Christ’s life. It magnifies God’s love at the expense of His attributes of righteousness and justice. It ignores the fact that any sin is an awful offense to God’s holy character - an offense that requires a dreadful payment. Though God is a God of love, He is also a God who expects and demands holiness from His subjects. God’s justice demands that any shortfall must suffer His wrath and punishment. Sincere effort is not sufficient. Of course, we realize it was Christ who “made up” this shortfall by His work on the cross.
The Moral Example Theory embraces the notion that love is most virtuous when it loves baselessly and, in the case of God, virtuous love is viewed as that which operates to the absolute neglect of God’s character as a Just Judge. This view forces an unnatural schism within the very essence (being) of God.
Furthermore, this view does not recognize the atonement as accomplishing any objective transaction within the Godhead. It recognizes no substitution of Christ for sinners, nor does it acknowledge the satisfaction of God’s justice and the propitiation of His wrath as accomplished by His Son as He assumed the penalty for our sin.
This theory is 100% subjective. Man (ostensibly motivated by Christ’s moral example and thereby having his heart softened) is simply expected to turn to God in love. Meanwhile, God is portrayed as existing in a perpetual mode of love and forgiveness, just waiting to shower His mercy upon any who simply look to Him in sincerity.
But, here is the problem – man cannot change his heart of stone into a softened heart of flesh under his own power. He may be able to accomplish a transitory reformation of his person, but he cannot accomplish a comprehensive and lasting transformation of his being. I am talking about a transformation that is pleasing and acceptable to a holy God. Only God can perform this heart operation. See Ezekiel 36.
Ezekiel 36:26 ESV
(26) And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
8. Further discuss the values of the Moral Example Theory and how they can often be neglected.
Reply: It is important to understand that moral influence alone is powerless to release human nature from the bondage of sin and thereby bring radical transformation; however, we as believers are enjoined to imitate (or model) Paul as he imitated Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV
(1) Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Believers are to imitate Christ and follow his example as the Moral Example Theory suggests. But, this erroneous view of the atonement fails to consider that supernatural power and divine enabling are the only means by which we can comply with Paul’s admonition. The sin principle permeates the essence, the very being of every member of the human race and renders every individual unable to imitate Christ in any way that is acceptable to a holy and righteous God.
When Christians understand that Christ bore our inherited guilt and sin, and we are clothed in His righteousness, then the appropriation of this truth (in conjunction with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit) frees us from bondage to sin and places us on the firm path to consistent victory over sin…
9. How was your thinking challenged the most by the lesson? Explain.
Reply: For me, Michael’s comments in reference to the Eastern Orthodox understanding of the atonement were the most thought-provoking part of this lesson. I was amazed that a branch of Christendom emphasizes the Recapitulation view of the atonement with little emphasis upon the work accomplished by Christ on the cross. While the perfect life lived by our Savior is certainly important, our western mindset is drawn primarily to the Passion of Christ – His scourging, beating and crucifixion – this is where Christ’s work of redemption is consummated and where Christ is most glorified, particularly when He arose from the grave.
_________________
Greg Eby
February 25th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
1. The Recapitulation Theory teaches that Christ is the “second Adam” who essentially “undid” what Adam (and mankind) has done by living a perfect life. In what ways does the Recapitulation Theory help us to understand that God did not give up on His original intent for creating man, but is in the process of restoring man to what he was supposed to be? Discuss.
The Bible teaches us that God’s Creation is good. For God to give up or not redeem His Creation would, in my mind, be inconsistent with His character. So, in this respect, I feel that the Recapitulation Theory has merit. Revelation clearly demonstrates that God will ‘make right’ His creation and bring about a new heavens and a new earth where man will finally be in the state he was designed to be in.
2. Dualism is the worldview that believes that there is a war between the good power (God) and an evil power (Satan). Both are equally powerful and both want to win. How does the Ransom to Satan Theory evidence a dualistic understanding of Christ’s death?
The idea that Satan and God have equal power is absurd. That is another self-defeating argument. In any case, Dualism dismisses God’s power to an extent that can not be true. The idea that Satan has any rights is a self-defeating argument, because he would then be God, and he is not. There can not be 2 supreme beings.
3. Martin Luther once said that “Satan is God’s Satan.” How do we often live our lives as Dualists, acting as if Satan has more power than he actually does?
‘The Devil made me do it’ is a popular excuse when we mess up. I do not believe that Satan can make anyone do anything that he or she does not want to do. He is the father of lies, an accuser, and devil, but Satan can not read my thoughts or force me to do something I do not want to. We so often do not want to claim our sins as our fault.
4. Anselm’s Satisfaction Theory was a monumental change in history of Christian doctrine. It was the first time that it was articulated that the atonement was directed to the satisfaction of God Himself. How important of a change was this? Explain.
It had to have been revolutionary. This is a difficult concept as it is with most topics in this course. However, the idea of Christ sacraficing Himself for us and it ‘pleased the Father to bruise the Son’ is a difficult concept to take in. Yet, God is our Redeemer, and He loves us so much that He gave Himself up for us and our sins. His love is so great that He would send His Son to die so that we could be with Him forever. The culmination of that love and sacrafice must be pleasing to the Lord and cause us to reflect on our meaning to Him.
5. Considering the importance of understanding the atonement as directed towards God, how do you explain that the Church took nearly twelve centuries to articulate it this way?
I am not sure I can. Doctrine has evolved and changed over the centuries as culture, education and thinking has. How we view the Bible, how we read it and study it has changed and will continue to do so. Competing theories and increased academic study has always shaped how we view doctrine. There are many complicated doctrines that have developed over time and are still incomplete. I do not know if anything revolutionary is still out there, however, there has definitely been moments in Church history that have revolutionized our faith.
6. One main point of the Governmental Theory is that “Christ could not have paid the exact penalty for people’s sins since He is not eternally punished in Hell. Further discuss how C.S. Lewis’ statement that the doors of Hell are locked from the inside might help us understand why Christ is not in Hell for eternity.
If the wages of sin is death (and therefore punishment in hell), some believe that Christ would have to go to hell in order to truly pay for our sins. However, this is looking at our Saviour in a way that I believe is inconsistent with the transaction involved. In the OT, animals were sacraficed to cover human sin, not humans. So, the symbolism and need for the shedding of blood was laid out in a substitutionary way as early as the OT. People are in hell (depending on your theology) because they rejected the payment for their sins and spiting God, not regreting that they did not believe. They are there for what they did and did not want to be with the Lord from their perspective.
7. Further discuss ways in which the Moral Example Theory of the atonement is insufficient.
As I described above, the Moral Example Theory does not make atonement in that the shedding of blood is not considered essential in more than setting an example. The OT concept of the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sins is essential for our salvation, in my opinion. If Christ is nothing more than a moral example, than my sins are still keeping me out of heaven, because I can not live up the Christ’s moral example, nor can anyone else.
8. Further discuss the values of the Moral Example Theory and how they can often be neglected.
In my opinion, the Western Church focuses soley on the transactional aspects of the atonement and we ignore the moral example Christ set for us. If we are to take seriously the process of salvation, we must continue to look to Christ as our example and Lord in our life. Becoming more like Him is part of our salvation process and we need to look to Christ as our guide as well as our Saviour to experience a full Christian life.
9. How was your thinking challenged the most by the lesson? Explain.
As usual, this class has been the most challenging of all the classes I have had to this point. How the atonemet exactly works is beyond my understanding. However, God has been faithful to give us His Word to guide us in our understanding of what He has done for us. The fact that Christ gave up His life and rose again for my sins is still true, and regardless of my understanding of the mechanics of it, He has saved me because of what He has done!
February 28th, 2008 at 2:22 am
1. In what ways does the Recapitulation Theory help us to understand that God did not give up on His original intent for creating man, but is in the process of restoring man to what he was supposed to be?
If God had given up on His original intent for creating man there would heave been no need for Christ to come live the life of a man; He simply would have come to die and pay the price. By having Christ enter this world through human parents and live a complete life (infant, child, teen, adult) and a perfect life, God demonstrates for us His continued value in man and the plan he has for us.
2. How does the Ransom to Satan Theory evidence a dualistic understanding of Christ’s death?
The Ransom to Satan Theory presents a world in which man was sold into bondage to Satan when Adam sinned and therefore God is obligated to pay Satan a ransom to gain us back. But the Bible teaches us that the wrath of God must be satisfied, not Satan.
3. How do we often live our lives as Dualists, acting as if Satan has more power than he actually does?
I think at times we minimize the power of what Christ did on the cross; taking on the sin of all of us and defeating it. The Bible tells us how the story ends and by grace through faith we can share in the victory that has already been won, instead of living as if Satan still has a chance. If we cling to Christ we cannot be defeated.
4. Anselm’s Satisfaction Theory was the first time the atonement was articulated as being directed to the satisfaction of God. How important of a change was this?
Based on our current understanding of the atonement, this seems like a critically important change in order for us to properly focus on satisfying the wrath of God and understanding the importance of sin. It puts front-and-center, the key ingredients of the atonement: God’s righteousness and justice going along with mankind’s sinful nature.
5. How do you explain that the Church took nearly twelve centuries to articulate the atonement directed toward God?
The 1200 year lag between Christ’s death and resurrection and the first theory about what that death did on the cross, can be attributed to a progressive understanding of Scripture. Led by the Holy Spirit, saints throughout the centuries have come to a more complete understanding of Scripture and our doctrines. As Michael said on the recorded class session, “Truth is not possessed, it is discovered.”
6. Further discuss how C.S. Lewis’ statement that the doors of Hell are locked from the inside might help us inderstand why Christ is not in Hell for eternity.
Locking the doors of Hell from the inside demonstrates that those in Hell have chosen to be there and prefer to keep God away. They lock God out of their lives and get the separation from Him that they desire. Christ did what was necessary to pay the price for our sins but he did not desire to be separated from His heavenly Father, thus for Him the doors were not locked.
7. Further discuss ways in which the Moral Example theory of the atonement is insufficient.
The Moral Example theory assumes God can forgive without any punishment for our sins. But, Scripture says there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood. This theory also assumes God can forgive because He loves us without regard to His righteousness and justice. His justice would require punishment for our sins. The atonement provides us the righteousness that God’s righteousness, requires God to require.
8. Further discuss the values of the Moral Example theory and how they can often be neglected.
The More Example theory elevates what Christ did on the cross to a motivational act of love and we should be moved by what we see Christ did. We might learn from
this theory simply by making time in our busy lives to meditate on Christ on the cross and what it means. This theory also encourages us to follow Christ’s example by carrying our own cross, which is Biblical (Matt. 10:38).
9. How was you thinking challenged most by this lesson?
Two points were most poignant for me:
a. It took 1200 years to understand that what Christ did on the cross was for God, not for Satan and not to undo what Adam did, but to satisfy the wrath of a just and righteous God.
b. How easy it was for the Roman Catholic church, via the Satisfaction Theory, to find themselves rewarding people with merits and how easily this could be corrupted.
February 29th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Group Discussion Questions:
Atonement: Historical Survey
1. The Recapitulation Theory teaches that Christ is the “second Adam” who essentially “undid” what Adam (and mankind) has done by living a perfect life. In what ways does the Recapitulation Theory help us to understand that God did not give up on His original intent for creating man, but is in the process of restoring man what he was supposed to be? Discuss.
From outside reading, I believe this view teaches “that Jesus became what we are so that we could become what He is; what He assumed He healed. I Pet. 3:18 states “…Christ died the just for the unjust so that He might bring us to God.” One definition reads: “Jesus recapitulates the life of Adam, this time perfectly, and His life recapitulates the life of all humans.” But another states: “As a result of His life, death, and resurrection, all that was lost in Adam is regained in Christ.” Christ lived, died, and was resurrected in order that we might be restored and brought to God. Sounds sort of like Eden. It is (I believe) important that Ireneaus developed this theme during the Gnostic controversy of the second century. Perhaps was most important “because it secured the reality of the incarnation, the unity of humankind, and the certainty of redemption.
2. Dualism is the worldview that believes that there is a war between the good power (God) and an evil power (Satan). Both are equally powerful and both want to win. How does the Ransom to Satan Theory evidence a dualistic understanding of Christ’s death?
I found the views of Origen and Gregory of Nyssa quite interesting on this concept. “Christ’s humanity veiled Hid deity, so that when Satan swallowed the bait of Christ’s flesh, he was caught on the hook of His deity” (the Cross and Salvation Demarist, p.150). That would imply that God could only overcome Satan through trickery.
3. Martin Luther once said that “Satan is God’s Satan.” How do we often live our lives as Dualists, acting as if Satan has more power than he actually does?
Years ago, the comedian Flip Wilson made popular the phrase, “the devil made me do it.” We act and speak as though we are powerless before the advisory. We throw up our hands at evil surrounding us as though we have no weapons with which to fight. I have been in churches where Satan is commanded to leave. In so doing, the one praying has either raised Satan to an omnipresent being, or elevated themselves to opposition that Satan would consider them his focus over all those working in God’s Kingdom.
4. Anselm’s Satisfaction Theory was a monumental change in history of Christian doctrine. It was the first time that it was articulated that the atonement was directed to the satisfaction of God Himself. How important of a change was this? Explain.
Of the three interpretations of the death of Christ voiced during the twelfth century (Anselm’s Satisfaction Theory; Abelard’s Moral Influence; and Bernard of Clairvaux, that a ransom price was paid to the devil); Anselm’s was the only one students of scripture could concur with. Both Dominicans and Franciscans were satisfied by Christ’s Cross (The Cross of Christ, p. 121). Anselm’s great work must have profoundly influenced “scholastic Thought” but also that of the reformers who placed such great emphasis on the justice of God.
5. Considering the importance of understanding the atonement as directed towards God, how do you explain that the church took nearly twelve centuries to articulate it this way?
It would be far too easy to look back overly critical of the church. What other issues were preoccupying their minds? For most of the medieval population, daily survival was their only concern. The Roman Empire fell with attacks from vandals, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and Muslims. The split between Eastern and Western churches and the occupation of the Holy Land by Muslims were political as well as religious concerns. Other doctrinal issues had taken center stage, specifically the development of the sacramental system. No printing press, no great exchange of ideas, fight for daily survival, petty squabbles that led to constant war: As I once heard, “The Dark Ages weren’t called dark for no reason.” As I sit in my office, I have book cases full of marvelous literature, I have the internet at my finger tips, there are colleges within a thirty minute drive, and seminary extensions in several cities within an easy drive (accredited master’s and doctoral programs in seminaries and universities at our fingertips), and yet, few in our congregation have availed themselves of these opportunities. I think a better question is why is “the church” so intellectually lazy, so theologically uneducated today given the incredible resources we possess?
6. One main point of the Moral Example Theory is that “Christ could not have paid the exact penalty for people’s sins since He is not eternally punished in Hell. Further discuss how C. S. Lewis’ statement that the doors of Hell are locked from the inside might help us understand why Christ is not in Hell for eternity.
That a person is in hell is his own choosing. The person can unlock the door by coming to Christ (in this life). Revelation 3:20 “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him and sup with him and he with Me.” I know that is speaking of Christ and the church but the concept of someone other than God opening the door to fellowship (or salvation?) is an interesting parallel.
7. Further discuss ways in which the Moral Example Theory of the atonement is insufficient.
It in no way addresses the holiness of God and His abhorrence of anything of sin. It exhibits no understanding of the significance of the Old Testament sacrificial system. It denies scripture that teaches “There is no one righteous, no not one” (Rom. 3:10) or “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). It presents a distorted view of God emphasizing His great love to the neglect of His other attributes. It presents man as essentially good, which scripture denies.
8. Further discuss the values of the Moral Example Theory and how they can often be neglected.
The cross does display the love of God and as alluded to in the “Evangelical Dictionary of Theology” can inspire devotion to the one who would sacrifice in my behalf. That book referenced “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross “ and I quote: “Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine; demands my soul, my life, my all.” I love the hymn but by itself is inadequate theology. I prefer when viewing the cross: “Guilty, vile, and helpless we ; spotless Lamb of God was He; full atonement, can it be; hallelujah! What a Savior. Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned He stood – sealed my pardon with His blood; hallelujah, what a Savior.” Isaac Watts’ text was not as accurate or complete as that of Philip Bliss; but both run circles around much of what we sing today!
9. How was your thinking challenged the most by the lesson? Explain.
Under the Governmental Theory, you state: “If Christ completely paid for the sins of man, then all people are forgiven and will go to Heaven. God would have no right to demand faith and obedience, since all are objectively forgiven.” I quote from “The Cross and Salvation” which is quoting the “Five Articles of the Remonstrance (1610), article two: Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, died for all men and for every man, so that He has obtained for them all, by His death on the cross, redemption and the forgiveness of sins; yet that no one actually enjoys this forgiveness of sins except the believer, according to the word of the Gospel of John 3:16: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The quote by John Miley on page 157 also clarifies the Armenian viewpoint on universal atonement, which should never be misconstrued as Universalism. Equating universal atonement with universalism is not doing justice to Armenian beliefs.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Session 4 Discussion Questions
1. The Recapitulation Theory teaches that Christ is the “second Adam” who
essentially “undid” what Adam (and mankind) has done by living a perfect life. In
what ways does the Recapitulation Theory help us to understand that God did not
give up on His original intent for creating man, but is in the process of restoring
man what he was supposed to be? Discuss.
Response: Adam was created without sin as was all of God’s creation. After the fall of man through Adam’s sin, God set forth a path of redemption when He made a covenant w/ Abraham. God, through His grace and mercy, choose to restore His prized creation to himself even though sinful man did not deserve restoration.
2. Dualism is the worldview that believes that there is a war between the good
power (God) and an evil power (Satan). Both are equally powerful and both want
to win. How does the Ransom to Satan Theory evidence a dualistic understanding
of Christ’s death?
Response: As outlined in the class notes, the Ransom to Satan theory suggest dualism in that it undermines God’s power by suggesting that God is somehow under obligation to Satan, it suggest that people are Satan’s possession, and it minimizes the role of God’s forgiveness and teaches that God did not forgive, but rather, rescue man from Satan.
3. Martin Luther once said that “Satan is God’s Satan.” How do we often live our
lives as Dualists, acting as if Satan has more power than he actually does?
Response: I would suggest that we sometimes attribute to satan much more power and authority than he actually has. I have many sermons over the years that seem to be more focused on satan and his authority vs God’s mercy, grace, authority, character, justice, etc…
4. Anselm’s Satisfaction Theory was a monumental change in history of Christian
doctrine. It was the first time that it was articulated that the atonement was
directed to the satisfaction of God Himself. How important of a change was this?
Explain.
Response: This was a huge change since it was the first time that the focus of the doctrine of atonement focused on needing to satisfy God’s justice and character. This also became, in part, a foundational part of the protestant reformers view of atonement.
5. Considering the importance of understanding the atonement as directed towards
God, how do you explain that the Church took nearly twelve centuries to
articulate it this way?
Response: This is a difficult one for sure. However, I like how several times over Rhome has stated that doctrine develops over several years and often heresies come out of the process of man trying to better understand the teachings of the scriptures. Another example of this would be the historical process which led to our current understanding of the Trinity.
6. One main point of the Moral Example Theory is that “Christ could not have paid
the exact penalty for people’s sins since He is not eternally punished in Hell.
Further discuss how C.S. Lewis’ statement that the doors of Hell are locked from
the inside might help us understand why Christ is not in Hell for eternity.
Response: Christ death on the cross was for the elect and there is no reason to be believe that those in hell have any intention of repenting. As Michael suggested, no true repentance occurs in hell so Christ is not obligated to them.
7. Further discuss ways in which the Moral Example Theory of the atonement is
insufficient.
Response: The weaknesses with this view from the class notes are that it would: undermine the seriousness of sin, elevate God’s love at the expense of God’s righteousness, it disregards all scriptural basis for a necessary sacrifice, would make Christ death have no objective value, and would make God guilty of the worst kind of child abuse ever.
8. Further discuss the values of the Moral Example Theory and how they can often
be neglected.
Response: We often take the two strengths of this position for granted as followers of Christ which are that: the life and death of Christ should be a motivating factor in our lives and that we are to follow Christ daily.
9. How was your thinking challenged the most by the lesson? Explain.
Response: This lesson has provided me much more clarity as to the different views of atonement such as the specific differences and also helped better defined the views that I hold.