Deconstructing Why Jesus Died

What is the meaning behind Jesus’ death and resurrection? Christians believe that Jesus’ sacrifice reconciled the relationship between humankind and our creator, God. However, it is not quite that simple. Over thousands of years, theologians and followers of Jesus have tried to articulate this nuance through metaphors, emphasizing some aspects of Jesus’ sacrifice over others. In this conversation, we aim to dissect the different theories of atonement and bring clarity to the larger picture of the gospel.

Notes:

• “Toxic forms of substitutionary atonement” in Love Wins, by Rob Bell
• Amazing Grace, Kathleen Norris
• The Bible Project podcast
• Movie: Ransom (1996)
• Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis
• Cur Deus Homo - Why God became man
• A Community Called Atonement, by Scott McKnight
• Atonement Theories
  • Penal Substitutionary Atonement
  • Moral Influence Theory, Augustine
  • Ransom Theory
  • Satisfaction Theory of Atonement, Saint Anselm of Canterbury
  • Christus Victor
  • Kaleidoscopic Perspective, by Joel B. Green in The Nature of Atonement
• Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
• The Crucifixion, by Fleming Rutledge
• Passion of the Cross, by Ronald Rolheiser
• The Cross of Christ, by John Stott