A Biblical Theology of Atonement
1. The Centrality of Atonement in the Bible
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible presents humanity’s greatest problem as separation from God due to sin (Gen. 3; Rom. 3:23). The Gospel proclaims that Jesus Christ has dealt with this problem through his life, death, and resurrection. The word “atonement” captures how God reconciles sinners to himself.
The Bible uses a variety of images to describe this reconciliation: sacrifice (Lev. 16), ransom (Mark 10:45), justification (Rom. 5:1), reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18–19), victory (Col. 2:15), and cleansing (Heb. 9:14). These diverse pictures suggest that no single atonement theory fully captures the richness of Christ’s work. Instead, the church has drawn on multiple motifs to explain how the cross and resurrection bring salvation.
2. Theories of Atonement in Christian Theology
Over the centuries, several atonement theories have developed to articulate the meaning of Christ’s work. Among them, three stand out in Christian theology.
Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) – Christ bears the penalty of sin on behalf of sinners, satisfying the demands of God’s justice (Isa. 53:5–6; Rom. 3:25–26).
Christus Victor – Christ’s death and resurrection triumph over sin, death, and demonic powers (Col. 2:13–15; Heb. 2:14–15).
Moral Influence or Example – Christ’s death demonstrates God’s love, compelling believers to repentance and holy living (John 15:13; 1 Pet. 2:21).
While PSA has been prominent in Protestant theology, especially in the Reformation tradition, Christus Victor is equally biblical, highlighting Christ’s cosmic victory. The moral influence view, though less central, reminds believers that the cross transforms human lives by displaying God’s love.
3. Complementary Motifs of the Gospel
Rather than viewing atonement theories as mutually exclusive, many theologians argue that they complement each other. The Gospel is larger than any single metaphor.
Legal Dimension: Christ satisfies God’s justice (Rom. 8:1).
Cosmic Dimension: Christ defeats the powers of sin and death (1 Cor. 15:54–57).
Relational Dimension: Christ reconciles us to God and to one another (Eph. 2:14–16).
Transformative Dimension: Christ renews us in holiness and love (Titus 2:14).
This multifaceted view echoes Anthony Delgado’s conviction that the Gospel must be understood as the announcement of Christ’s kingship over all creation, not merely a transaction for individual forgiveness.
4. Who Receives Atonement?
The Bible also raises the question of who benefits from Christ’s saving work. Three major theological perspectives have emerged:
General Atonement (Arminian view) – Christ died for all, but his atonement is only effective for those who believe (John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:4–6).
Particular Atonement (Calvinist view) – Christ’s atonement is intended specifically for the elect, and it infallibly secures their salvation (John 10:15; Eph. 1:4–7).
Universalism – Christ’s atonement saves all people regardless of faith. This view is generally considered outside orthodox Christianity (Matt. 25:46; Rev. 20:15).
The first two positions remain within Protestant orthodoxy, while the third is rejected because it undermines the biblical witness to faith, repentance, and judgment.
5. The Bible’s Vision of Atonement and the Last Days
Both Thessalonian letters and Revelation tie atonement directly to the last days. Believers are rescued “from the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:10) because Christ bore judgment in their place. At the same time, Christ’s resurrection ensures the final defeat of death, the “last enemy” (1 Cor. 15:26).
This eschatological framework reminds us:
Atonement delivers us from God’s wrath.
Atonement inaugurates the new creation.
Atonement guarantees the resurrection of the body.
Atonement secures Christ’s reign over the nations.
Thus, the cross and resurrection are not only about forgiveness of individual sins but about the renewal of all creation. The church, as the “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16), lives already in the benefits of atonement while awaiting its final consummation in the last days.
6. The Atonement and the Covenant of God
The Bible presents atonement in covenantal terms. From the Passover lamb in Exodus 12 to the sacrifices on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16), blood sealed God’s covenant with his people. These Old Testament shadows pointed to the greater sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
In the new covenant:
Christ’s blood secures forgiveness (Matt. 26:28).
The Spirit applies this work to believers (Heb. 9:14).
God’s people are marked as a holy temple (Eph. 2:21–22).
This covenantal lens situates atonement within God’s larger redemptive plan, not as an isolated event but as the fulfillment of his promises to Abraham and Israel.
7. Atonement and Christian Life
Paul often moves seamlessly from atonement to ethics. For example:
Because we are forgiven, we must forgive others (Col. 3:13).
Because Christ died for us, we live for him (2 Cor. 5:14–15).
Because Christ cleansed us, we pursue holiness (1 Pet. 1:18–19).
The atonement is not merely a doctrine to be believed but a reality that shapes daily life. Believers embody the cross by serving one another, enduring suffering, and proclaiming the Gospel.
8. Toward a Biblical Theology of Atonement
A biblical theology of atonement avoids narrowing the Gospel to one theory. Instead, it holds together the multiple dimensions revealed in Scripture. The cross is simultaneously a substitution, a victory, a reconciliation, and a demonstration of love.
In the Bible, the atonement is:
Historical – accomplished in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Cosmic – breaking the power of sin and death.
Covenantal – fulfilling God’s promises to his people.
Transformative – shaping how the church lives in holiness and mission.
Eschatological – securing the final victory of God’s kingdom in the last days.
Such a view magnifies Christ’s kingship and anchors the church’s hope in his reign. It also underscores Delgado’s emphasis that the Gospel is not just about escaping punishment but about living under Christ’s lordship as part of his redeemed creation.
Bible Verses on Atonement
Isaiah 53:5 – “He was pierced for our transgressions…”
Romans 3:25 – “God put forward [Christ] as a propitiation by his blood.”
Colossians 2:15 – “He disarmed the rulers and authorities…”
1 Corinthians 15:3 – “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “He made him to be sin who knew no sin…”
Hebrews 9:14 – “The blood of Christ…purify our conscience.”
1 Peter 2:24 – “He bore our sins in his body on the tree.”
Revelation 5:9 – “By your blood you ransomed people for God.”
Galatians 3:13 – “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law.”
John 1:29 – “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
