The Work of Christ For me, the traditional theories of atonement do not adequately explain the work of Christ.

As the Christ the Victor theory emphasizes a cosmic battle between God and the devil, humans act as bystanders to the waging war.i This fails to acknowledge the role that humans have in perpetuating evil. We are often sinful and oppressive, becoming sources of bondage in the world who regularly wound other people. However, this theory does not emphasize the ongoing human responsibility to repent of our sinfulness and to strive for entire sanctification. This theory also negates the importance of Christs human form, not simply as a disguise to deceive, but as Gods incarnation to reconcile humanity with the divine through Christs life, ministry, death, and resurrection. The Christ the Victor and Satisfaction theories also seem inadequate because of their primary focus on the necessity of Christs death in order to liberate us from bondage to sin and evil.ii I believe that God, Creator of everything, is more powerful than any form of evil or sin. God is powerful enough to grant infinite forgiveness and liberation, without having to engage in a transaction or physical suffering on the cross. However, I do view the crucifixion as a symbol of forgiveness and liberation. The cross represents the epitome of human sin. Jesus Christ was God, perfect and sinless. Yet humans, in our ugliest display of sinfulness, crucified God. Yet, even as he was being killed, Christ forgave us, when he says in Luke, Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34a) iii This symbolizes that Gods abundant mercy and grace as Christ forgives even the worst human sin. His resurrection also promises liberation, as Christ triumphs over evil, oppression, sin, and death. Although the moral influence theory does not share this important emphasis on Christs triumph over evil, I appreciate its focus on the human response to Christs example. While humans seem like mere bystanders in the previous two theories of atonement, the moral influence theory requires an ongoing human transformation.iv Ideally, this would mean humans should strive for entire sanctification, as we are continually called to be transformed by the love of Christ. We are called not only to respond with love, but with action. We are called to follow his example by healing the sick, denouncing evil, forgiving sins, and liberating all people from bondage. We must resist the sinfulness which crucified Jesus and continues to crucify Gods marginalized and oppressed children globally today. As Christ reconciles us with God, so are we called to reconcile the world, helping to unite humans with God and with one another through the power of Jesus Christ.
i

Migliore, Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology, 182. Ibid, 183. iii Attridge, Harper Collins Study Bible, 1810. iv Migliore, Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology, 183-184.
ii