What did Paul really mean when he said, "Jesus gave his life for our sins?"

When a solider dies, it's often said the soldier died for our freedom or made the ultimate sacrifice. This popular idiom has been used in literature for ages. Could it be that Paul wasn't implying Jesus Christ used himself as a blood sacrifice?

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SW-User

A quick Google reveals that there have been SEVEN major Christian views of the Atonement.

1 The Moral Influence Theory

2 The Ransom Theory

3 Christus Victor (Christ overcame Evil)

4 The Satisfaction Theory

5 The Penal Substitutionary Theory

6 The Governmental Theory (a slight variation on the Penal Substitution Theory)

7 The Scapegoat Theory

So look them all up and decide which one appeals, if any.

It seems to me that ALL of our world Faith Traditions seek to offer ways and means to reconcile ourselves to Reality, bringing [i]the peace that passes understanding.[/i] Some seem to me better than others, more life-giving, more affirmative. Some in doing so seem to me to betray [i]this[/i] world for some imagined [i]other[/i]. Even [i]within[/i] each Faith there can be found this positivity and negativity - no Faith is simply [i]one[/i] monolithic creedo.

Patientlywaiting · 46-50, FVIP

@SW-User Thanks, this is really interesting and definitely some food for thought. Here's a link that summarizes each theory.

https://www.sdmorrison.org/7-theories-of-the-atonement-summarized/

Raymuundo · 46-50, M

@Patientlywaiting ?

BritishFailedAesthetic · M

No. Jesus was our sacrafice for sin.

LordShadowfire · M

@BritishFailedAesthetic

BritishFailedAesthetic · M

@LordShadowfire A very nuanced talking point.

I am a British Christian- I am not your American Ken Ham-Kent Hovind type.

If you're into it I love natural history- 13 billion years of our universe and 4.5 billion years of our planet earth.

I love the scientific method and I require proof of things- but when the God of the universe reveals himself to you through the Gospel you can't resist that Grace.

Lots of our relationships are faith based I don't know your status but when your GF/fiance/wife tells you she's going out with a friend you wouldn't dare ask her to take a selfie to prove it- you love her and you trust her.

Om2014 · 31-35, M

Slightly more complicated than that i believe

SW-User

Yeah, that’s kind of the gospel

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