Lent 2025 – Part 0

This Lent, I reflect deeply on the profound significance of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, exploring the various theories embraced or historically cherished by Christian churches. I realize that this journey reveals a rich tapestry of beliefs and interpretations. It’s important to acknowledge that there is more than a single perspective, and for those who have engaged in discussions about them, there are way more than the two you have argued over.

Changing what you believe about atonement is not denying Jesus. The gospel is not a description of how Jesus’ death (and resurrection, ascension, and enthronement) rescues the world, but that it does so. The gospel is not a theory or advice, it is news.

It is best scientifically to make a judgement from a complete data set, so throughout Lent 2025, I am excited to explore and share as many different theories of atonement as I can find. In that spirit, I will strive to remain as impartial as possible, fully aware that achieving true impartiality is a challenging, almost impossible, yet worthwhile endeavour.

Atonement theories:

• 1. Moral Example.
• 2. Recapitulation theory.
  • Five ransom theories.
  • 3. Ransom paid to the devil.
  • 4. Ransom paid to God.
  • 5. Satisfaction theory.
  • 6. Penal Substitution theory.
  • 7. Governmental Theory.
  • 8. Christus Victor
• 9. Redemption in the Orthodox Church.
• 10. Scapegoat theory.
• 11. Healing view of atonement.
• 12. Kaleidoscope theory.
• 13. African Relational Theory of the Atonement.
• 14. Why was the crucifixion of Christ not on the day of atonement?

That’s all I was able to find. Happy reading.