Theological Term of the Week: Atonement

 

atonement
The reconciliation of God and humanity through Christ’s work, which blots out human sin and satisfies God’s wrath. 

• From scripture:

[23] “Then Aaron shall come into the tent of meeting and shall take off the linen garments that he put on when he went into the Holy Place and shall leave them there. [24] And he shall bathe his body in water in a holy place and put on his garments and come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people and make atonement for himself and for the people. 




[29] “And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves and shall do no work, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you. [30] For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the LORD from all your sins (Leviticus 16:23-24, 29-30 ESV).




[3] But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. [4] For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 




[12] But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, [13] waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. [14] For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:3-4, 12-14 ESV)




… in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them … . (2 Corinthians 5:19 ESV).

• From Concise Theology by J. I. Packer

Atonement means making amends, blotting out the offense, and giving satisfaction for wrong done; thus reconciling to oneself the alienated other and restoring the disrupted relationship. 

Scripture depicts all human beings as needing to atone for their sins but lacking all power and resources for doing so. We have offended our holy Creator, whose nature it is to hate sin (Jer. 44:4; Hab. 1:13) and to punish it (Ps. 5:4-6; Rom. 1:18; 2:5-9). No acceptance by, or fellowship with, such a God can be expected unless atonement is made, and since there is sin in even our best actions, anything we do in hopes of making amends can only increase our guilt or worsen our situation. This makes it ruinous folly to seek to establish one’s own righteousness before God (Job 15:14-16; Rom. 10:2-3); it simply cannot be done. 

But against this background of human hopelessness, Scripture sets forth the love, grace, mercy, pity, kindness, and compassion of God, the offended Creator, in himself providing the atonement that our sin has made necessary. This amazing grace is the focal center of New Testament faith, hope, worship, ethics, and spiritual life; from Matthew to Revelation it shines out with breathtaking glory. 

Learn more:

1. B. B. Warfield: Atonement
2. John Murray: The Atonement
3. Leon Morris: Atonement
4. J. I. Packer in Concise Theology: Sacrifice 
5. Michael Morales: The Day of Atonement

Related terms:

• definite atonement
• penal substitution
• propitiation
• reconciliation
• sacrifice

Filed under Person, Work, and Teaching of Christ

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What I've Been Up To

I have neglected this blog. I haven’t posted anything here except the Sunday hymns for a long while.

I do have a good excuse: I was writing a book. The Good Portion: God is on the doctrine of God—who he is and what he has done. I hope readers will see God’s perfection, worth, magnificence, and beauty as they explore what Scripture teaches about him.

The Good Portion: God is the second book in Christian Focus’s The Good Portion series, a series written specifically for women to encourage them to immerse themselves in the depths of Christian doctrine. The series aims to “spur women on to relish the truths of the Christian faith as they do what they were created for—enjoy knowing God.”

You can find out more about the series here, and more about my book here.

Below are a few endorsements:

This is an outstanding and accessible treatment of the attributes of God. I hope it will reach a wide readership and stimulate an interest in exploring the depths of the Christian faith.

Robert Letham, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Union School of Theology, Wales

Aiming to reveal God in all His glory, this in–depth volume (and series) is a rare find amongst the plethora of publications available for ministry to women. 

Margaret Kostenberger, Associate Professor of Theology and Director of Women’s Programs and Mentoring at Shepherds Theological Seminary in Cary, North Carolina

For many years Rebecca Stark has been one of my favorite bloggers. I’m thrilled to see her now extend her voice to books in this brilliant little volume on the attributes of our great God. It aptly displays so much of what I enjoy about her writing: it is theologically astute, devotionally inspiring, and powerfully written. I highly recommend it. 

Tim Challies, Founding blogger of Challies.com, and author of several books 

We can easily say, ‘Lord, I want to see your glory,’ but the way we see His glory is through an understanding of what He is like, which is the focus of Rebecca Stark’s book, and should be the focus of every Christian’s life. With the help of the Holy Spirit, understanding who God is and what He is like is the secret to growing in Christlikeness. I’m so excited to have The Good Portion: The Doctrine of God for Every Woman to teach me and others to how to meditate on God. This book is going to be an excellent discipling tool. 

Arlette Mbugua, Wife of Kenneth Mbugua, senior pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Nairobi, Kenya 

We don’t need a feminine doctrine of God, and Rebecca Stark does not give us one. She presents to us a robust introduction into theology that will lead the reader to adore, delight in, and praise God for who He is and what He has done. I’m glad to see Christian Focus call women to better theology. Stark doesn’t give us a theology for women, but a woman’s voice directing us all to the glory of God. 

Aimee Byrd, Author of Housewife Theologian, Theological Fitness, and No Little Women

Would you like to read an excerpt? Here’s a bit from the chapter on God’s goodness: God Is Good.

Writing a book was a whole lot of work, but so much fun, too. Still, I miss blogging, and I hope to be back to regular posting here soon, starting with a Theological Term post. Two people have independently contacted me recently to complain that I am missing one very important theological term, so I’ll start with it. You’ll be surprised which term it is.

Sunday's Hymn: In the Hour of Trial, Jesus Plead for Me

In the hour of trial,
Jesus, plead for me;
Lest by base denial
I depart from thee;
When thou seest me waver,
With a look recall,
Nor for fear or favor
Suffer me to fall.

With its witching pleasures
Would this vain world charm,
Or its sordid treasures
Spread to work me harm,
Bring to my remembrance
Sad Gethsemane,
Or, in darker semblance,
Cross-crowned Calvary.

If with sore affliction
Thou in love chastise,
Pour thy benediction
On the sacrifice;
Then, upon thine altar
Freely offered up,
Though the flesh may falter,
Faith shall drink the cup.

When in dust and ashes
To the grave I sink,
While heav’n’s glory flashes
O’er the shelving brink,
On thy truth relying
Through that mortal strife,
Lord, receive me, dying,
To eternal life.

—James Montgomery

Other hymns, worship songs, or quotes for this Sunday:

• Be of Sin the Double Cure at The Outspoken Tulip
• Contentment at The Happy Wonderer
• Peace at The Upward Call
• What it is to justify a sinner at Tried With Fire
• Lord’s Day 13, 2019 at The Thirsty Theologian