Theories of Atonement

1. Ransom Theory – the death of Christ was a ransom sacrifice, usually said to have been paid to Satan or to death itself, in some views paid to God the Father, in satisfaction for the bondage and debt on the souls of humanity as a result of inherited sin.
   1. Originated in the early church
   2. Origin (c. 184-c. 253 CE)
   3. Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45
      
2. Christus Victor – Aulén’s reinterpretation of the ransom theory as “victory over the powers which hold mankind in bondage: sin, death, and the devil.”
   1. Developed by Gustaf Aulén in 1931
   2. Romans 8:37–39
      
3. Recapitulation Theory – Christ is seen as the new Adam who succeeds where Adam failed. Christ undoes the wrong that Adam did and, because of his union with humanity, leads humankind on to eternal life (including moral perfection).
   1. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130-c. 202 CE)
   2. Romans 5:12–21
      
4. Satisfaction Theory – Christ suffered crucifixion as a substitute for human sin, satisfying God’s just wrath against humankinds’ transgression due to Christ’s infinite merit.
   1. Anselm of Canterbury (1033/4-1109)
   2. Romans 1:18
      
5. Penal Substitution – Christ, by his own sacrificial choice, was punished (penalized) in the place of sinners (substitution), thus satisfying the demands of justice so God can justly forgive the sins.
   1. Romans 8:33–34
      
6. Moral Influence – “Christ died as the demonstration of God’s love,” a demonstration which can change the hearts and minds of the sinners, turning back to God.
   1. Developed by Abelard (1079-1142) as an alternative to Anselm’s satisfaction theory. Wanted to change man’s perception of God as not offended, harsh, and judgmental, but as loving.
   2. Romans 8:35