I have been sharing theories of the atonement with a friend who doesn't yet trust Christ. Frankly, he's struggling with the idea of penal substitution.
Here's what I wrote to him.
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What God did in Christ on the cross is more momentous and miraculous than my tiny intellect can comprehend. My best guess is that there are elements of truth to many of the classic theories of atonement. I believe that no one can communicate all the cosmic ramifications of the life, death, resurrection, ascension, and return of Jesus. As Leon Morris said, “We are small minded sinners and the atonement is great and vast. We should not expect that our theories will ever explain it fully. Even when we put them all together, we will no more than begin to comprehend a little of the vastness of God's saving deed.”
Maybe we should just stick to using Biblical words and verses without too much commentary.
1. Atonement:
God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:25-26
2. Redemption:
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24
3. Reconciliation:
For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:10-11
4. Justification:
Just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. Romans 5:18-19
5. Propitiation:
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. I John 2: 9-11
6. Forgiveness:
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Colossians 2:13-15
7. Healing:
He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:5-6
8. Example:
To this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. I Peter 2:21
9. Ransom:
You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. I Peter 1:18-19
10. Salvation:
Jesus, [was] crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. Hebrews 2:9b-10
Which theory of atonement is most true? Well, I believe all of what the Scriptures say.
And I know that I want to be in on all of it! And I want you to be in on it, too.
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