Lecture 2: Atonement, contd.

Question 1

Explain Gregory of Nyssa’s view of atonement.

Answer 1

Gregory of Nyssa believed in the classical theory of atonement. He coined the term “beneficent deception”.

Question 2

Name the two heretical components of the Socinian theory.

Answer 2

It is adoptionist and holds a Pelagian view of sin (we can choose to emulate Christ; Adam was just a bad example we should choose not to follow).

Question 3

Give a problem with nonviolent atonement theory.

Answer 3

It ignores addressing core passages about God’s choice for Christ to suffer (particularly Isaiah).

Question 4

What background does nonviolent atonement come from?

Answer 4

It comes from modern liberal theology with an emphasis on absolving God from violence.

Question 5

Give another name for ‘Ransom to Satan’ theory of atonement.

Answer 5

Classical theory of atonement.

Question 6

Define recapitulation.

Answer 6

The theory of atonement that God reversed the corruption of abstract human nature started by Adam by assuming it.

Question 7

What evidence did Ireneaus see for the classical theory of atonement?

Answer 7

He believed that only Satan and not God could demand such a violent death.

Question 8

Which theory could be described as the opposite of moral influence theory?

Answer 8

Governmental theory

Question 9

Give another name for vicarious substitution.

Answer 9

Penal substitution

Question 10

Out of what time period and mindset did satisfaction theory arise?

Answer 10

During the medieval era and feudal system

Question 11

Explain the difference between vicarious substitution and personal atonement.

Answer 11

In personal atonement, the offending party makes amends, but in vicarious atonement, the offended party makes amends.

Question 12

Define governmental theory.

Answer 12

Christ took the punishment for our sins, with his suffering serving as a warning example for us to deter us from future sin.

Question 13

Describe Anselm’s beliefs about sin.

Answer 13

Sin was our failing to give God what we owe him - complete subjugation and obedience.

Question 14

What does moral influence theory say about Jesus’s death?

Answer 14

Moral influence theory proposes that Christ’s life of obedience lead to the cross, but God did not require his death as a sacrifice.

Question 15

What are substitution and redemption directed towards?

Answer 15

Substitution is directed toward our sin, redemption is directed towards the sinner.

Question 16

According to satisfaction theory, what role does the cross play?

Answer 16

God did not force or request Christ to die on the cross. However, his life of perfect obedience and justice lead to it. By dying sinlessly, he also offered to God the sacrifice for humanity in a way we could not on our own.

Question 17

In governmental theory, how are Christ’s death and our sins related?

Answer 17

Christ took the penalty for our sins, but he could not take the sins themselves away.

Question 18

Define the Socinian theory of atonement.

Answer 18

Christ’s death is meant as an inspiration for us. He absolutely forgives us and no blood was required for justice.

Question 19

Give two reasons for the popularity of the classical theory of atonement.

Answer 19

1) It described evil as a personified power working against humanity
2) It underscored our need for God to save us from our predicament

Question 20

Unitarians confess which theory of atonement?

Answer 20

Socinian

Question 21

Define Christus Victor theory.

Answer 21

Christus Victor emphasizes Christ’s demonstration of his power over darkness/demonic forces. The ransom he paid is better understood as freedom for us from sin rather than a payment to Satan.

Question 22

Explain Ireneaus’s primary view of atonement.

Answer 22

Ireneaus believed in recapitulation. Specifically, Christ bestowed upon us the possibility of salvation by becoming like us.

Question 23

Which theory accuses Luther and others of “divinely sanctioned child abuse”?

Answer 23

Nonviolent atonement theory

Question 24

Give another name for classical theory of atonement.

Answer 24

‘Ransom to Satan’ theory.

Question 25

Define Luther’s understanding of vicarious substitution and sin.

Answer 25

Christ was made sin, in that he took all of our sins upon his body. Then, since he was guilty under the Law, he paid the penalty of death. Christ took our sin and removed it.

Question 26

Define the classical theory of atonement.

Answer 26

Satan held humanity’s souls captive on account of Adam’s sin, and demanded the blood of Christ as ransom for them.

Question 27

Define moral influence theory.

Answer 27

In moral influence theory, Jesus’s death is a message for us, prompting us to respond to his absolution devotion by loving God more and following his example of obedience.

Question 28

Explain the difference between recapitulation and satisfaction theories versus vicarious substitution.

Answer 28

In recapitulation and satisfaction, Christ did something for us that we could not do for ourselves. In vicarious substitution, Christ bears the consequences for what we have done.

Question 29

Explain Origen’s view of atonement.

Answer 29

Origen believed in the classical theory of atonement. He believed that God disguised Christ’s divinity in the guise of human flesh.

Question 30

Define penal substitution.

Answer 30

Christ takes our place in the crucifixion.

Question 31

Define satisfaction theory.

Answer 31

Adam impinged upon God’s honor with his sin and God’s honor required restoration. Humanity either needed to restore his honor, which we could not do, or be punished for the transgression. Christ lived a life of perfect obedience, which also lead to the cross, restoring honor to God.

Question 32

Define “beneficent deception”.

Answer 32

Coined by Gregory of Nyssa, it likens Christ to the bait used to disguise a hook.

Question 33

Define nonviolent atonement theory.

Answer 33

Jesus’s life and ministry lead to the cross (not God), but he did not experience God’s wrath and he triumphed by his non-violent and submissive resistance.

Question 34

What is de-emphasized in recapitulation?

Answer 34

Christ’s death and resurrection.

Question 35

What denomination most closely matches the Socinian theory of atonement?

Answer 35

Unitarianism

Question 36

Explain Athanasius’s view of atonement.

Answer 36

Athanasius believed in recapitulation. Specifically, Christ became human so we could become more like the divine.

Question 37

“Christ for us” refers to which theory of atonement?

Answer 37

Vicarious aka penal substitution.

Question 38

Give another name for penal substitution.

Answer 38

Vicarious substitution.

Question 39

Define reconciliation.

Answer 39

Based on a Greek verb meaning “restoring the original understanding between people after hostility or displeasure.”

Question 40

Give a key difference between Athanasius and Anselm’s understanding of atonement versus the Reformation view.

Answer 40

Earlier theologians saw Christ as doing something for us that we could not do ourselves, versus the Reformers saw Christ paying the consequences for our actions.

Question 41

Define redemption.

Answer 41

Redemption comes from a Latin word meaning “repurchase” or to “buy back”. It entails liberation or freedom from bondage.