7 Atonement Theories Summarized

Further reading on the atonement:

A few other resources not mentioned in this video:

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[jorgefigueroa]

This is really good, just what I was looking for. A lot of Christians are confused when I mention that the version of the Gospel they are sharing is only one version of what happened on the cross. Thank you for this.

[Zulonix]

Very informative!!!
On the web page, you said "...we aren’t saved by theories. We’re saved by Jesus!"
How we view Jesus and God certainly has a great influence on our walk. I give Christus Victor a 10 out of 5.

[homofloridensis]

Brilliant, thank you! It's a summary similar to what I read many years ago, BUT it takes us back to the idea that there are multiple ways to explain the unexplainable (but true) fact of the atonement, preempting so many of the unnecessary fights about the "one true" way to approach the atonement.

[hannahsakura]

Thank you so much for this helpful explanation. I only recently realised there were various ways of understanding the atonement other than penal substitution, which is what I grew up being taught. It’s disheartening that these theories are not more widely taught in churches. I’d definitely love it if you make more videos on atonement, especially on the scapegoat theory.

[coniwing]

I appreciated the overview of theories. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, than are dreamt of in my Protestantism.” Looking forward to subsequent installments on this subject.

[ethanyoung]

Great video! Thank you for this information

[DanieleCiraulo]

Absolutely awesome! Thanks so much. I am doing a degree in theology and this has helped so much!!!

[-adottube]

You just made it into my favourite channels list.

[matthewtate]

Loving the videos! I'd put in a request for a primer on recapitulation theory

[bythossige]

Man! You are really knockin’ ‘em out of the park! Thanks so much! If you do expand this I hope you go deeper into the Scapegoat Theory.

[Hey_Marko]

I definitely see myself drawn to both the Moral Influence Theory and Scapegoat Theory.

[tobyroy]

Really well presented. Thank you for this wonderful attempt at explaining these 7 theories. I feel I need to learn more about the scapegoat theory. It's something that I have not researched enough

[endlessnameless]

Great video. Thanks.

I see these various theories as facets of the grander mystery of atonement. One way I look at it is through the psychological lens of cognitive reframing. God was reframing our transgressions against his identity by experiencing death in Jesus. In this way, he was able to empathize and sympathize with humanity in its spiritual death, without identifying with the sins that led to that death.

Similarly, if we mindfully observe the memory of a traumatic event in our lives, we are able to emotionally reconcile ourselves with that event, so that it no longer weighs on our ability to function in life.

[kevinrombouts]

Thank you very much. Excellent summary.

[glennhorning]

Great job. We were talking about this in our small group tonight with many of us not knowing there was more than one thought on this. So I am now passing around your video.

[sarahkelly]

Totally AMAZINGLY helpful. Thank you!!!!

[jenniebaker]

Thank you for the clarity of your explanation of the theories of atonement. I have had a painful idea that the death of Christ on the cross was also or even primarily to suffer death and abandonment with us, because God created us and nature as inherently violent. Christ shows us that the way to salvation is to follow his teachings, but also to at tone ourselves through our own sufferings and dying. I am frightened by this rather heretical view and wonder if others have had similar thoughts.

[charliepoe]

This is very well-worded. Funny, at first I thought this was plagiarized because I came across your website some time ago. I kept watching thinking, "geez, this is very similar to that website".

I do think there are some more theories out there that this video needs. Like, for example, the belief that we died with Jesus and we rose with him. None of the theories summarized seem to consider the resurrection.

[kilpscollective]

Great summation. Thank you for this video.

[allenolson]

Very concise and non judgemental. These are after all theories, constructed by man, to explain how and why God does what He does. I have come to believe that if God didn't explain something clearly, either we didn't need to know lack the capacity.to understand it. Still, we cannot help but be curious about such a magnificent God.