Theology sometimes reminds me of parts of my engineering degree. The basic aim of such disciplines seemed to be to take something amazing, wonderful, and interesting and find a way of turning into a set of dull, lifeless, rules and equations.
Take Substitionary Atonement for example.
Never was there a message which is more amazing, more life-giving, or more essential in every way. Yet so many people don’t even know what it’s all about. Even people who say they’re Christian often show no real understanding of this simple principal. This leads them to strive to perform religiously or be left with a lingering uncertainty about whether they are ‘good enough’ in God’s book.
Here’s the 1 minute guide for non-theologians:
- Atonement: A penalty or punishment that needs to be paid to satisfy the demands of the law.
- Substitutionary: The place was filled by somebody or something other than the original person.
What’s the Bottom Line?
All sin has a penalty/punishment, which is death. Atonement is required to pay for that sin and there is a judgement day which will come where that penalty will be demanded. I can either atone for the sin myself (bad idea), or I can allow Jesus to atone for it – choosing to receive his death at the cross as my substitionary atonement.
All of us have sinned, and continue to sin in one way or another. Some of us are spectacular sinners. Others of us are boring sinners. That’s not really a question that’s up for debate, neither it is essentially relevant.
The only real relevant question is “Who is going to be punished to atone for my sin? Me or Jesus?”
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. - Romans 3:22-25
P.S. Inspired to write this after watching a Bill Hybels’ session “The Power of Clarity”
P.P.S. I’ve nothing against Theology. We need better theology in our churches, as long as we remember that theology – the study of God – is supposed to lead us to better understanding of who God is and produce a deeper, life-giving relationship with him.
Filed under: Christian Life, theology
