The Atonement and the Blood of Christ in Theology
The Atonement and the Blood of Christ in Theology
The concept of atonement is deeply rooted in biblical theology, particularly in the Old Testament sacrificial system. The Hebrew word "kaphar," translated as "atonement," signifies reconciliation or covering of sin [1]. In Leviticus, atonement is made through the shedding of blood, as "the life of the flesh is in the blood" and it is given "on the altar to make atonement for your souls" [5].
The New Testament interprets the death of Christ as the ultimate atonement for humanity's sins. According to Paul, Christ's blood is the means by which justification is obtained, demonstrating God's righteousness in passing over prior sins [6]. The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin, emphasizes the voluntary nature of Christ's sacrifice, citing Isaiah 53 and Hebrews 10 [2, 3].
The significance of Christ's blood is multifaceted. It is seen as a propitiation for sins, reconciling God's justice and mercy [2]. The Epistle to the Romans describes Christ as an "atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood" [6]. This understanding is echoed in the writings of John Chrysostom, who highlights the importance of Christ's blood in his Homilies on Romans [10].
Different Christian traditions have nuanced understandings of the atonement. While the Reformed tradition emphasizes the penal substitutionary aspect, the Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, focuses on the mystical union between Christ and humanity [8, 9]. Despite these differences, the centrality of Christ's blood in atonement theology remains a common thread throughout Christian traditions.
The biblical basis for the atonement is rooted in the Old Testament sacrificial system, with Christ's death being seen as the fulfillment of these sacrifices. The Day of Atonement, described in Leviticus 16, is particularly significant, as it involves the high priest making atonement for the people through the shedding of blood [4, 7].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, Under the Law — Made by sacrifice -- Le 1:4,5. By priests alone -- 1Ch 6:49; 2Ch 29:24. Necessary for Propitiating God. -- Ex 32:30; Le 23:27,28; 2Sa 21:3. Ransoming. -- Ex 30:15,16; Job 33:24. Purifying. -- Ex 29:36. Offered for The congregation. -- Nu 15:25; 2Ch 29:24. The priests. -- Ex 29:31-33; Le 8:34. Persons sinning ignorantly. -- Le 4:20-35. Persons sinning wilfully. -- Le 6:7. Persons swearing rashly. -- Le 5:4,6. Persons withholding evidence. -- Le 5:1,6. Persons unclean. -- Le 5:2,3,6. Women after childbirth. -- Le 12:8. The altar. -- Ex 29:36,”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, The — Explained -- Ro 5:8-11; 2Co 5:18,19; Ga 1:4; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10. Foreordained -- Ro 3:25; 1Pe 1:11,20; Re 13:8. Foretold -- Isa 53:4-6,8-12; Da 9:24-27; Zec 13:1,7; Joh 11:50,51. Effected by Christ alone -- Joh 1:29,36; Ac 4:10,12; 1Th 1:10; 1Ti 2:5,6; Heb 2:9; 1Pe 2:24. Was voluntary -- Ps 40:6-8; Heb 10:5-9; Joh 10:11,15,17,18. Exhibits the Grace and mercy of God. -- Ro 8:32; Eph 2:4,5,7; 1Ti 2:4; Heb 2:9. Love of God. -- Ro 5:8; 1Jo 4:9,10. Love of Christ. -- Joh 15:13; Ga 2:20; Eph 5:2,25; Re 1:5. Reconciles the justice and mercy of God -- Isa 45:21; ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Death of Christ, The — Foretold -- Isa 53:8; Da 9:26; Zec 13:7. Appointed by God -- Isa 53:6,10; Ac 2:23. Necessary for the redemption of man -- Lu 24:46; Ac 17:3. Acceptable, as a sacrifice to God -- Mt 20:28; Eph 5:2; 1Th 5:10. Was voluntary -- Isa 53:12; Mt 26:53; Joh 10:17,18. Was undeserved -- Isa 53:9. Mode of Foretold by Christ. -- Mt 20:18,19; Joh 12:32,33. Prefigured. -- Nu 21:8; Joh 3:14. Ignominious. -- Heb 12:2. Accursed. -- Ga 3:13. Exhibited His humility. -- Php 2:8. A stumbling block to Jews. -- 1Co 1:23. Foolishness to Gentiles. -- 1Co 1:18,23. Demand”
- Leviticus “Then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary; and he shall make atonement for the Tent of Meeting and for the altar; and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. -- Leviticus 16:33”
- Leviticus “For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life. -- Leviticus 17:11”
- Romans “whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance; -- Romans 3:25”
- Leviticus “Then he shall bathe himself 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. -- Leviticus 16:24”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:11 1:11 1:26 1:26 1:26 1:27 1:27 1:27 1:31 1:31 2:2 2:7 2:17 2:17 2:18 2:23 2:24 2:24 2:24 3:5 3:16 3:24 4 4:9 4:14 6:2 6:3 6:4 6:9 6:12 7:7 8:21 12:1 12:4 12:16 13:10 13:10-11 14:14 14:21-23 15:16 16:5 16:6 17:8 18:11 18:12 18:14 18:21 19:13 19:14 19:24 21:10 21:12 21:12 22:7-8 22:16 22:18 22:18 24:1-67 24:22 24:65 25:21 25:21 26:4 27:46 28:1 28:13 31:42 31:45 32:48 35:18 37:9-10 37:20 39:1 39:6 40:4 40:7 40:8 40:14-15 40:22 41 41:16 42:36 43:14 43:30 45:5 48:15-16 49:9 64:28 Exodus 2:11 2”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:1 1:2 1:3 1:20 1:26 1:26 2:7 2:17 2:18 3:5 3:9 3:9 3:10 3:16 3:18 3:19 4:4 4:7 4:7 4:9 4:10 6:2 6:5 6:9 7:1 11:4 12:1 12:7 12:7 13:15 13:15 15:5 15:6 17:14 18 18 18:15 18:17 18:21 18:21 21:12 22:1 22:1-2 22:12 23:4 25:27 26:18-22 27:41 28:20 37:7 37:9 37:10 47:9 47:9 47:31 49:9 Exodus 2:14 2:14 2:14-15 3:6 3:14 6:9 12:3 12:46 14:21 17:12 17:12 19 19:16 19:16 19:18 19:19 19:19 19:19 19:20 19:20 20:9 20:13 20:19 20:21 23:3 32:10 33:13 33:20 35:23 Leviticus 15:18 Numbers 5 6:3 9:12 11:12 14:3 14:29 16:5 17:12 Deu”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:26 2:10 2:18 2:21 2:21 2:24 2:24 2:24 3:5 3:6 3:11 3:16 3:16 3:16 3:19 3:19 4 4:2 4:6 4:7 4:7 4:7 4:9 4:9 4:10 4:10 4:10 4:11 4:14 6:3 6:3 6:9 9:5 9:20 9:22 11:8 11:31 12:3 12:7 12:7 14:14 15:12 15:13-14 18:3 18:3 18:3 18:7 18:17 18:19 18:27 18:33 21:12 22:3 22:18 25:33 27:27 27:41 27:45 28:12 28:20 29:23 30:1-2 31:7 31:15 31:40 32:10 32:21 32:28 32:29 33:19 37:18 39:1-20 40:23 41:40 41:42-43 42:21 45:5 45:5 45:9 45:24 48:16 49:7 60:8 Exodus 1:14 1:22 2:11 2:13 2:15 2:22 3:1 3:2 3:2 4:10 4:22 5:2 9:11 17:4 18:2”