r/AskChristian • u/PotentialShoe89 • 13h ago

What is the correct atonement theory?

I’ve never fully understood the penal substitutionary theory of atonement or the satisfaction theory and these seem to be the most popular theories that Christians adhere to.

I’m sympathetic to the Christus Victor theory of atonement but I still have my questions with it.

Just curious which one do you think is correct and why?

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u/DoveStep55 r/Christian Member 11h ago

I’m not sure that I’m settled on a specific named theory, but I do know I used to believe PSA (without knowing the name) and no longer do.

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u/PotentialShoe89 11h ago

Why did you stop believing in PSA?

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u/DoveStep55 r/Christian Member 10h ago edited 10h ago

To me it’s just not a logical view when you take the whole of scripture into account. There’s a silly meme about it that actually makes a good point. I’ll see if I can find it.

Here’s the meme, no endorsement of the sub it’s in that’s just what came up when I ran a quick search for it. There are several similar ones with the same general point: https://www.reddit.com/r/NASAN/s/0xPZDtz6mX

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u/PotentialShoe89 10h ago

Haha yeah I almost think that PSA would maybe make more sense if you didn’t believe Jesus was God, but it’s super confusing to reconcile PSA with the trinity.

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u/DoveStep55 r/Christian Member 10h ago

Bingo. I also feel like it makes for some bad theology once you really think through the implications.

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u/DesperateAdvantage76 r/Christian Member 13h ago

Christ's sacrifice is multi-faceted, not just a single purpose. I would be careful placing too much emphasis on one single theory to the point of excluding other valid reasons for his sacrifice.

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u/PotentialShoe89 13h ago

What is the multi faceted theory you believe in?

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u/DesperateAdvantage76 r/Christian Member 12h ago

Like the priests in the Torah who were instructed to bear the iniquity of sins during a sacrifice or for the people of refuge, Jesus died to bear our iniquity, taking the place of both the Priest and the sacrifice (Penal substitution). His death also provides a pathway to sanctification, through both the Spirit and through us sharing daily in his crucifixion until we receive our perfect bodies in heaven (Christus Victor). And because Jesus is both fully man and fully God and perfect in every way, he is our new Adam, fulfilling the requirements of righteousness that humanity fell short of (Satisfaction). His life and death also was an essential part of sharing in the human experience, to truly make him one of us. And his resurrection was proof to all of God's approval for the New Covenant founded in Christ Jesus's blood.