How Christ Redeemed Us: Three Theories of Redemption

Question 1

What was the differences in conversations about Christ in the Early Church history and Medieval Church history?

Answer 1

People began to study not only who Christ was (that was the first few centuries), and now they began to tackle the work of Christ. What had the Lord done? In other words, atonement.

The work of redemption had not yet been tackled in theology. Who he was had already been decided.

Question 2

What were the three Theological Controversies during the Carolingian Renaissance?

Answer 2

1. The Adoptionist Controversy: did the Logos “adopt” the human nature
   – Spanish theologians: could point to “adopted humanity” in their liturgy. They pointed to the fact that their liturgy had pointed to this adoption.
   – Attempt to secure integrity of Christ’s nature “like us” (opponents saw Nestorianism).
2. Predestination controversy (Gottschalk). He was an Augustinian scholar. Emphasized predestination stance.
3. How Christ is present in the elements of the Supper (Rantramus and Radbertus). The Lord’s presence in the real eucharist. One stressed a realist view, and Rantramus said it was symbolic.

Question 3

Rantramus and Radbertus

Answer 3

The Lord’s presence in the real eucharist. Radbertus stressed a realist view, and Rantramus said it was symbolic.

Question 4

Name the three models of atonement that came about in the Middle Ages.

Answer 4

1. Christus Victor
2. Satisfaction Theory
3. Moral Influence Theory

Question 5

Christus Victor Theory of Atonement

Answer 5

• This was the dominant patristic presentation of redemption, prominently carried on in the early medieval period.

• Through Christ’s ministry and above all in the cross and resurrection, Christ wins the victory over Satan, death, and sin, which had enslaved humanity.
– Very old mythic background: cf. Old Testament motifs (Isaiah) and other near-Eastern semitic religions. The divine takes on the forces of darkness.
– Luther writes a hymn about this; Christ Lay in Death Strong Bands (he takes this from victimae paschali laudes-a sequence hymn for easter day)

Question 6

How does “fish hook” elaborate on the Christus Victor model?

Answer 6

• Satan won the right to humanity because of Adam’s sin. So now Jesus offers himself of bait. He lets go of humanity to eat Jesus, because he is more valuable.
• This basic motif of overcoming Satan was elaborating in speaking of Christ as “bait” whereby the fish (i.e., Satan) let go of humanity because of the more enticing morsel of the righteous man Christ
• Thereby Satan was “caught,” not realizing he was snared by the hidden “fish hook” of the divine nature. So redemption was accomplished by a fitting type of ruse (Satan “fooled” our primal parents in the garden; Christ returns the favor)

Question 7

What role does the resurrection play in the Christus Victor model?

Answer 7

Resurrection is an act of triumph, not just having evidential value (as in other schemes). The resurrection is in itself a victory (therefore, most of our Easter Hymns are Christus Victor hymns).

Question 8

What gets emphasized in the Christus Victor Model?

Answer 8

Plight of humanity fore-grounded (we ARE captive, we live in the devil’s kingdom, and we need to be redeemed, or bought back).

Question 9

What are the five elements that describe the Christus Victor Model of Atonement?

Answer 9

– Plight of humanity fore-grounded (we ARE captive, we live in the devil’s kingdom, and we need to be redeemed, or bought back).

– Devil/Satan is a principal actor in the drama

– The work of redemption centers on God. God comes in through Jesus and wins this victory.

– Humanity of Christ not theologically focused.

– Resurrection is an act of triumph, not just having evidential value (as in other schemes). The resurrection is in itself a victory (therefore, most of our Easter Hymns are Christus Victor hymns).

Question 10

Who comes up with Satisfaction Theory, and when?

Answer 10

Anselm of Canterbury, in 1090.

Question 11

Briefly outline Anselm’s thinking in Substitutionary Atonement.

Answer 11

• Background of medieval feudal notions of honor (here, God’s honor). There’s a theme in the chivalry code that dishonor can only be redeemed by blood.
• Adam’s sin creates an infinite debt of honor
• But if God righteously wipes out humanity, the divine plans for humanity frustrated
• What is the solution? In justice, only a human can render satisfaction
• But no human person can do this.

Question 12

What role does Jesus play in Anselm’s Substitutionary Atonment?

Answer 12

He is a mediator that offers satisfaction.

A Mediator: the incarnate Son of God offers satisfaction
– As true human, Jesus can offer satisfaction
– As truly divine, he has power, will, and infinite worth to accomplish satisfaction

Question 13

What is emphasized in Anselm’s theory of atonement?

Answer 13

Emphasis on God’ plight, due to his honor. No role is mentioned on the devil. Here, God is our problem. His honor is in danger. But God also saves.

Question 14

What are the twin necessities of God’s nature in Anselm’s model?

Answer 14

Twin necessities of God’s nature—justice and mercy—are both preserved

Question 15

What role does the resurrection play in the Anselm’s model?

Answer 15

Resurrection has only evidential value (that it is evidence that God redeemed humanity)

Question 16

From a Trinitarian point of view, what is the strength of Anselm’s model of Atonement?

Answer 16

Work of redeemer closely tied to orthodox two-nature Christology.

Trinitarian relations also necessitated: God moves to solve our problem, but as the incarnate God (God is not just the problem, but also the solution).
– If it is not God who is making the satisfaction, then we must say God necessitates some unfortunate to suffer for others: is this right, even if the person was willing?

Issue: is God necessitated?
All that to say, Christ’s two natures (divine and human) are at the core of understanding this model.

Question 17

Who comes up with the Moral Influence Theory, and when?

Answer 17

Abelard, in the 12th century.

Question 18

According to Abelard, what is the problem between the God and human relationship?

Answer 18

Problem: humanity turned away from God, must be turned around, re-motivated toward God.

• Abelard’s close attention to motive and psychology. Our psychological state, our hardness of heart, must be broken and reignited in love towards God.

Question 19

In Abelard Moral Influence Model, what role does Jesus play in redemption?

Answer 19

Christ’s suffering and death on the cross is a demonstration of divine love that moves us to pity and response.

• Abelard’s close attention to motive and psychology. Our psychological state, our hardness of heart, must be broken and reignited in love towards God.

Question 20

Who is the problem in Abelard’s model of Atonement?

Answer 20

Humanity. We are the problem, our coldness and indifference, not the devil or God.

Question 21

What is the weakness of Abelard’s model?

Answer 21

No stress on supernatural intervention: act of redemption made psychologically comprehensible.

Question 22

What happens to the three models of Atonement during the Reformation?

Answer 22

• Anselm’s theory taken up by the Reformers as the principal view of atonement. Calvin comes up with Penal Substitution, which is based on Anselm.
• Luther revives Christus Victor, especially in his hymns (cf. “A Mighty Fortress,” “Christ Lay in Death’s Strong Bands”).
• Abelard’s viewpoint favorite of liberal theology (mutatis mutandis)

Question 23

What model of atonement is found in this song: “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all”-When I Survey the Wondrous Cross?

Answer 23

Moral Influence Theory