| Substitutionary Atonement |
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In Christian Theology , substitutionary atonement is a Doctrine which states that Jesus Christ died on the Cross as a Propitiatory Substitute provided by God for Sinners . Hence, according to this doctrine, he in some way dealt with the punishment that all sinners deserve, enabling them to have their sins forgiven by God. Among those who pioneered the notion of substitutionary atonement were Anselm Of Canterbury , Thomas Aquinas , Hugo Grotius , John Calvin , John Miley , and others. Most contemporary Christian Evangelicals adhere to some variation of substitutionary atonement theory. KEY BIBLE TEXTS
ANSELM AND AQUINAS Some theologians have argued that the ''punishment'' due to humans was actually inflicted upon Jesus in his passion. Initially formulated by Anselm Of Canterbury in his classic 11th century work ''Cur Deus Homo'' (or ''Why God Became Human''), it was expanded upon in the 13th century by Thomas Aquinas in his magnum opus, the '' Summa Theologiae ''. Aquinas' interpretation of Anselm's thinking was that by taking humankind's punishment, Jesus earned "merit", through which the Sacraments can convey Grace and enable salvation. Known as the ''commercial'' or '' Satisfaction '' theory, Aquinas' view is the dominant view of the Roman Catholic Church . CALVIN AND CALVINISM Anselm's views were further developed by 16th century Church reformer John Calvin and those who followed his teachings. Calvinism , following Anselm, generally holds to a ''penal'' or '' Punishment '' model, arguing that Christ on the Cross bore the penalty for the sins of those God has chosen to save, the '' Elect ''. Calvinism rejects the notion of ''merit'', however, affirming instead the idea of '' Sola Gratia '', or salvation by grace alone. GROTIUS AND ARMINIANISM See also: Arminianism Jacobus Arminius and many of his followers affirmed the satisfaction view held by Calvinists, but one of his followers, 17th century Remonstrant theologian Hugo Grotius developed a particular view of substitutionary atonement known as the ''forgiveness'', ''moral government'', or '' Governmental '' theory. Grotius theorized that Jesus' sacrificial death occurred in order for the Father to forgive while still maintaining his just rule over the universe. Thus, Jesus' suffering and death served as a substitute for the punishment due humankind, enabling God to forgive human sinners while maintaining his just rule. This theory, further developed by theologians such as John Miley (in his 19th century work ''Atonement in Christ''), became the dominant view in Arminianism and traditional Methodism . SEE ALSO
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