I’m an inquisitive person. I like to understand things. Never content with answering just the what’s of any given topic, I like to get to the root of all the how’s and why’s as well. Recently I realized that despite being a Christian for over half my life, I still do not understand the doctrine of atonement. I understand all the “what’s” just fine; I was an AWANA kid, so I can quote all the Bible verses that deal with atonement, and I can even define related terms like “redemption,” “propitiation,” and “penal substitution”—but I have more difficulty explaining their logic.
At first I was embarrassed to admit this, seeing as the atonement is one of the major defining doctrines of Christianity. Then I wondered whether seeking answers to such questions is even a legitimate pursuit, since God’s actions so often transcend human understanding. (I have always struggled with admitting mystery into my belief structure; I cling to reason much too tightly, and this is a fault which I confess often.) But ultimately, I’ve decided to make myself vulnerable and bring my questions before you, the online public, so that I can grow in knowledge and, hopefully, praise. My goal is to refine the way I think about Christ’s work on the cross and how I explain it to others. Continue reading
The Jesus Question 