T(r)oy's Marbles
how God atones (6th part)
With this installment, we close our review of the three main types of the idea of the atonement as represented by some key figures in church history. The topic arose out of curiosity; specifically, we have been wondering how humanity becomes reconciled to God.
Go here to start this exploration at the first part.
Go here to read part two.
Go here to read part three.
Go here to read part four.
Go here to read part five on the Latin theory.
And now, the final paradigm: the "exemplar" model.
The Exemplar Model
There is one other way the atonement has been conceived and I will only mention it briefly here. It is called the “exemplar” model and its chief proponent is Peter Abelard, who was a contemporary of Anselm’s.
The exemplar model essentially says, “Humans become reconciled to God as they follow the example of Christ.” In other words, to the extent that we follow Christ, that is the extent to which we will be united with God. But, it should be noted that, even in this model, much emphasis is placed on Christ’s crucifixion. Indeed, the crucifixion is the central event that defines the end to which we follow Christ. Christ went “all the way” in showing His love and His servant heart to the world, and we must follow in His footsteps (even to the point of submitting to an unjust death) if we are to be reconciled to God.
This viewpoint can also be demonstrated scripturally. When Jesus says things like “Learn from me” and “Follow me” and “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”, He is saying “Follow my example”. We are to follow in Christ’s footsteps, and Abelard is right in asserting that, to the extent we do as such, we will be closer to Christ and thus closer to God (and thus reconciled to God).
By way of conclusion
Do you see how, either way you look at it, there’s no getting around it? Christ had to die. Either way you look at it, Christianity without the cross is no Christianity at all. You either need the cross to “give the devil his due” or you need it to “give God his due” or you need it to show the lengths to which we must go in our obedience to God. Either way, we need the cross.
As much as I would like to say, “God could have reconciled humanity to himself without the cross” I cannot do so. The Scriptures do not allow it and nor do our spiritual fathers and nor does our rational mind. In spite of that, however, I’m sure you’ll agree: the atonement is a mystery.
I do hope this helps.
Love,
Troy
teachings | Comments (0) | March 15, 2006