THE CHRISTIAN CONCEPT OF ATONEMENT

The Satisfaction Theory

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Satisfaction theory: Jesus appeases God via a ritual human sacrifice:

The Roman Catholic Church teaches this theory of the atonement (or a variation on it), as do most Protestant denominations. However the Catholic Church does not raise the theory to the level of dogma.

This theory is grounded in the concept of personal honor found in the European feudal culture. During the Middle Ages, a serf had to honor both God and the feudal lord who controlled his/her life and land. Human sin dishonors God. A price must be paid to satisfy God and restore his divine honor. The only penalty suitable to God was Christ's obedience when he willingly suffered torture and death at his crucifixion. ₈

The satisfaction theory is related to the ancient Hebrew ritual sacrifice of animals at the altar of the Jerusalem Temple. Such sacrifices were made in the centuries before Yeshua's (a.k.a. Jesus Christ's) birth, during his lifetime, and only ended with the destruction of the temple and much of the rest of Jerusalem by the Roman Army in 70 CE. By allowing himself to be ritually sacrificed, Yeshua's death replicated in many ways the ritual sacrifice of animals were slaughtered in the Temple.

The satisfaction theory is similar to the earlier ransom theory, in that a type of ransom was given. However, it was paid to God rather than to Satan. Theologians in the Middle Ages believed that there was no way that the deaths of one or more humans could satisfy God's requirements. The theory suggests that God's honor would only be satisfied by a ritual sacrifice of a god-man -- his own son. Michael Martin writes: "Only the God-Man is able, by his divinity, to offer something that is worthy of God and, by his humanity, to represent mankind." ₁  Thus the incarnation was necessary: God coming to earth in the form of a man.

The death of Yeshua was not considered unjust since he voluntarily allowed himself to be executed. Because of the nature of the sacrifice, most denominations teach that all persons in all eras and countries can achieve atonement. However, many denominations in the Reform Tradition follow the teachings of John Calvin who believed that Yeshua only died for the elect -- a small minority of individuals who God chose before they were born. These alone would be saved.

The satisfaction theory is generally attributed to Archbishop Anselem of Canterbury, (1033 to 1109 CE). It is contained in his book Cur Deus Homo ("Why God became man"), which was written circa 1098 CE. ₂ Its format is that of a conversation between himself and his friend Boso. He writes:

This essay continues below.

Criticisms which have been made of this theory:

Philosopher Michael Martin makes a number of points in criticism:

In addition, one might argue that the essence of the Satisfaction Theory is that violence, suffering, and punishment of an innocent person is justified, if it produces beneficial results for other people. Many find this concept offensive and immoral.

Finally, some two additional criticisms listed for the Ransom Theory which also apply here. They attribute to God the same sort of punishing behavior seen in the lives of Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Saddam Hussein, etc. We repeat them below for convenience:

References:

1. Michael Martin, "The Case Against Christianity," Temple University Press, (1991), Pages 252 to 263. Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
2. "Medieval Sourcebook: Anselem 'Cur Deus Homo'," at: http://www.fordham.edu/
3. Ibid, Chapter XIX.
4. Ibid, Chapter VI.
5. Ibid, Chapter XI.
6. Ibid, Chapter XV.
7. Ibid, Chapter XVI.
8. Gavin Kingsley, "Cathedral studies On Atonement," (1999), at: http://www.geocities.com/

Copyright © 2004 & 2005 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2004-APR-11
Latest update: 2005-APR-13
Author: B.A. Robinson