It took me awhile to get here, but as every student knows, late April-early May is not the best time for any student. Early we summarized the most popular views on the crucifixion, the Ransom and Satisfaction theories. I was recently introduced to two appealing alternatives: the Influence and Participation theories. (more…)
The Wages, Not the Cost, Pt. Two April 14, 2007
For the first time in my life, I’m actually achieving that ever elusive follow-through.
That’s right, we’ve succesfully landed on part two of reflections on the theological significance of the crucifixion – something I didn’t even know I had options about until last week.
I was able to participate in a mentally stimulating conversation about the crucifixion at, of all places, Sunday school. No one was more shocked than I to be having challenging, thought-provoking, intellectual conversation at Sunday school, but I forgot I was in a class led by Dr. Tom Hanks. Not that Tom Hanks, another one. We came to the conclusion that there are four ways to view to crucifixion: the Ransom Theory, the Satisfaction Theory, the Influence Theory, and the Participation Theory. The first three theories we discussed were borrowed from a sermon given by Dr. Hanks’ daughter-in-law, Rev. Stephanie Spitzer of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Gerald, TX. The last was coined by Dr. Hanks and drawn from the Lent Talk given by Rev. John (a link to the address is in the first post). In this post, I’d like to briefly discuss the Ransom and Satisfaction Theories. (more…)
The Wages, Not the Cost, pt. One April 12, 2007
So, Easter. It’s a big deal.
I’m a Christmas-girl myself, but it’s Easter that gives us Christianity as we understand it today. Until the past week or so — and I’m ashamed to say this – I hadn’t really considered in any depth the implications of why Jesus was crucified. If you were born in the Church, you know Jesus died for your sins. What you may not know is why he had to die for your sins. I really didn’t ask this question since, even at an early age, I tired of Evangicubes and the daigram where YOU are on one cliff, then there’s a gaping chasm (helpfully labeled “SIN”) and the on the other side, on a another cliff, is GOD. I know it’s God because there are clouds and shiny lines. It was clear: I am sinful, God is not, Jesus died to pay a price for my sin, and now I have communion with God.
Well, maybe.
