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Understanding the Atonement in Reformed Theology

The concept of atonement in Reformed theology centers on the reconciliation of humanity with God through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. The English word "atonement" itself signifies "at-one-ment," or the state of being reconciled [1]. This reconciliation is understood as the effect flowing from Christ's death, and the term also refers to the means by which this reconciliation is achieved [1].

In the Old Testament, atonement was frequently made through sacrifices, typically performed by priests [2]. These sacrifices were necessary for propitiating God, ransoming individuals, and purifying people and objects [2, 5, 10]. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was a significant annual event where the high priest made atonement for the holy place, for himself, and for the entire congregation, with the sins of the people symbolically borne away by a scapegoat [4, 5]. The purpose of these rituals was to enable individuals and the community to survive in God's presence despite their sin, either by "covering over" their transgressions or by cleansing them [19]. Atonement was offered for various sins, including those committed ignorantly, willfully, or rashly, and for states of uncleanness [2, 8, 9].

Reformed theology emphasizes that the atonement effected by Christ was foreordained by God and foretold in the Old Testament, particularly in passages like Isaiah 53 [3, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]. John Calvin, for instance, frequently referenced Isaiah in his commentaries, highlighting the prophetic anticipation of Christ's work [11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]. This atonement is understood to be accomplished by Christ alone, voluntarily offering himself [3]. It serves to exhibit God's grace, mercy, and love, as well as Christ's own love, and is seen as reconciling God's justice and mercy [3].

The New Testament uses the Greek word apolutrosis for redemption, which carries the idea of a ransom or price paid to buy back something lost [7]. This concept is central to understanding Christ's atoning work as a payment for sin. While the Authorized Version of the New Testament uses "atonement" only once in Romans 5:11, the Revised Version often translates the underlying Greek word as "reconciliation" [1]. This highlights the relational aspect of atonement, bringing alienated parties back into harmony.

The atonement in Reformed thought is not merely a symbolic act but a penal substitution, where Christ bore the penalty for human sin. This understanding is rooted in passages that describe Christ suffering in the place of sinners, satisfying divine justice. The result of this atonement is the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God for those who repent and believe [6, 9]. Repentance, in this context, involves a change of mind and purpose, leading to a change in life, to which the remission of sin is promised [6].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Atonement — This word does not occur in the Authorized Version of the New Testament except in Rom. 5:11, where in the Revised Version the word "reconciliation" is used. In the Old Testament it is of frequent occurrence. The meaning of the word is simply at-one-ment, i.e., the state of being at one or being reconciled, so that atonement is reconciliation. Thus it is used to denote the effect which flows from the death of Christ. But the word is also used to denote that by which this reconciliation is brought about, viz., the death of Christ itself; and when so used it”
  2. 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,”
  3. 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; ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, the Day Of — Tenth day of seventh month -- Le 23:26,27. A day of humiliation -- Le 16:29,31; 23:27. Observed as a sabbath -- Le 23:28,32. Offerings to be made on -- Le 16:3,5-15. The high priest entered into the holy place on -- Le 16:2,3; Heb 9:7. Atonement made on For the holy place. -- Ex 30:10; Le 16:15,16. For the high priest. -- Le 16:11; Heb 9:7. For the whole congregation. -- Le 16:17,24; 23:28; Heb 9:7. The sins of the people borne off by the scapegoat on -- Le 16:21. Punishment for not observing -- Le 23:29,30. Year of Jubilee commenced on -- Le ”
  5. 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”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Repentance — There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
  8. Numbers “The priest shall make atonement for the soul who errs, when he sins unwittingly before Yahweh, to make atonement for him; and he shall be forgiven. -- Numbers 15:28”
  9. Leviticus “Leviticus 5:13 (Geneva1599) — So the Priest shall make an atonement for him, as touching his sinne that he hath committed in one of these poyntes, and it shall bee forgiuen him: and the remnant shalbe the Priests, as the meate offring.”
  10. Exodus “You shall take the atonement money from the children of Israel, and shall appoint it for the service of the Tent of Meeting; that it may be a memorial for the children of Israel before Yahweh, to make atonement for your souls.” -- Exodus 30:16”
  11. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 53.2: 64:7 66:24 Jeremiah 4:31 5:8 5:28 7:4 7:4 9:1 10:23 10:24 10:24 11:21 17:1 17:5 18:16 19:6 19:8 22:24 22:28 25:9 25:13 25:18 28:10 28:11 30:11 31:15 43:2 48:2 50:11 Lamentations 1:7 2:5 2:8 3:29 Ezekiel 15:3 16:26 20:11 20:24 20:25 26:2 26:14 37:1 43:15 43:15 47:11 Daniel 5:28 5:30 5:31 7:10 7:17 8:20 Hosea 1:7 6:4 8:14 9:6 13:3 Joel 1:13 2:13 2:23 2:28 Amos 1:3 3:6 4:1 4:1 5:10 5:19 8:11 Micah 1:3 1:11 2:11 7:9 7:16 Nahum 3:8 Habakkuk 2:1 2:1 2:1 2:2 3:2 3:2 3:13 Zechariah 9:14 13:4 14:3 Malachi 1:4 1:11 4:2 Matthew 2:14 3:12 3:12 3:12 3:12 ”
  12. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 23.2: 62:10 65:20 65:24 Jeremiah 1:6 1:17 2:21 2:21 7:4 7:4 7:21 7:22 9:23-24 9:26 10:14 17:5 17:5 22:7 23:5 23:19 23:36 25:11-12 29:10 30:9 30:9 31:34 32:18 33:15 41:5 48:7 48:13 48:29 48:30 48:32 48:32 48:32 48:34 Lamentations 2:22 3:22 Ezekiel 4:16 13:9 18:20 20:22 34:23 34:23 36:25 37:11-12 37:16 37:24 37:24 47:1 47:1 Daniel 2:44 7:10 7:14 7:27 9:24 9:27 Hosea 2:5 2:13 2:18 2:19-20 2:23 3:4 3:5 6:6 13:11 14:2 14:9 Joel 2:31 2:32 2:32 Amos 2:4-5 3:11 5:11 5:18 5:20 5:21 6:11 9:11 9:11 Jonah 1:2 3:10 Micah 1:16 5:10 6:7-8 7:8 Habakkuk 1:16 2:2 2:”
  13. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 29.2: 62:10 65:20 65:24 Jeremiah 1:6 1:17 2:21 2:21 7:4 7:4 7:21 7:22 9:23-24 9:26 10:14 17:5 17:5 22:7 23:5 23:19 23:36 25:11-12 29:10 30:9 30:9 31:34 32:18 33:15 41:5 48:7 48:13 48:29 48:30 48:32 48:32 48:32 48:34 Lamentations 2:22 3:22 Ezekiel 4:16 13:9 18:20 20:22 34:23 34:23 36:25 37:11-12 37:16 37:24 37:24 47:1 47:1 Daniel 2:44 7:10 7:14 7:27 9:24 9:27 Hosea 2:5 2:13 2:18 2:19-20 2:23 3:4 3:5 6:6 13:11 14:2 14:9 Joel 2:31 2:32 2:32 Amos 2:4-5 3:11 5:11 5:18 5:20 5:21 6:11 9:11 9:11 Jonah 1:2 3:10 Micah 1:16 5:10 6:7-8 7:8 Habakkuk 1:16 2:2 2:”
  14. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 53.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:1 1:27 1:27 3:17 3:17 3:18 4:11 4:13 4:14 6:5 7:11 8:1 10:4 10:11 11:29 11:31 11:31 12:1 12:1 12:17 14:6 14:16 15:1 17:7 17:7 19:24 19:37 20:2 20:8 20:14 21:2 21:5 25:1 25:14 25:14 27:38 27:38 32:3 32:10 32:12 36:8 36:9 Exodus 3:8 7:13 8:15 13:3 13:5 13:8 13:14 13:17 14:14 14:21 14:22 15:10 17 18:21 19:5 19:6 19:6 19:6 19:6 20:1 20:2 20:24 20:25 23:32 27:1 29:45 33:3 34:6 34:6 34:15 34:30 Leviticus 19:9 19:10 26:3-13 26:8 26:12 26:12 26:16 Numbers 3:1-4:49 10:36 12:6 13:22 23:19 24:13 30:3 32:34 Deutero”
  15. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 23.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:26 1:30 3:5 3:22 10:14 11:31 12:3 12:17 13:15 13:16 17:7 17:8 18:20 18:21 19:5 19:23 19:24 19:37 20:3 20:16 20:17 22:17 22:17 25:25-26 31:19 31:30 32:28 34:7 36:1 36:8 36:9 41:50-52 48:16 Exodus 1:12 1:14 3:6 4:22 8:15 9:34 10:21 10:23 12:23 12:51 12:51 12:51 13:21 13:21-22 14:21 14:27-28 14:29 15:1 19:6 19:20 20:5 20:5 21:8 21:8 21:8 22:22-24 22:23 23:8 23:8 23:19 23:32 25:21-22 29:42 32:32 33:9 34:6 34:7 34:26 Leviticus 1:11 10:1 19:18 23:40 26 26:18 26:18 26:21 26:21 26:24 26:26 26:28 26:31 26:36 26:”
  16. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 29.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:26 1:30 3:5 3:22 10:14 11:31 12:3 12:17 13:15 13:16 17:7 17:8 18:20 18:21 19:5 19:23 19:24 19:37 20:3 20:16 20:17 22:17 22:17 25:25-26 31:19 31:30 32:28 34:7 36:1 36:8 36:9 41:50-52 48:16 Exodus 1:12 1:14 3:6 4:22 8:15 9:34 10:21 10:23 12:23 12:51 12:51 12:51 13:21 13:21-22 14:21 14:27-28 14:29 15:1 19:6 19:20 20:5 20:5 21:8 21:8 21:8 22:22-24 22:23 23:8 23:8 23:19 23:32 25:21-22 29:42 32:32 33:9 34:6 34:7 34:26 Leviticus 1:11 10:1 19:18 23:40 26 26:18 26:18 26:21 26:21 26:24 26:26 26:28 26:31 26:36 26:”
  17. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 23.4: 29:10 30:9 30:9 31:34 32:18 33:15 41:5 48:7 48:13 48:29 48:30 48:32 48:32 48:32 48:34 Lamentations 2:22 3:22 Ezekiel 4:16 13:9 18:20 20:22 34:23 34:23 36:25 37:11 37:12 37:16 37:24 37:24 47:1 47:1 Daniel 2:44 7:10 7:14 7:27 9:24 9:27 Hosea 2:5 2:13 2:18 2:19 2:20 2:23 3:4 3:5 6:6 13:11 14:2 14:9 Joel 2:31 2:32 2:32 Amos 2:4 2:5 3:11 5:11 5:18 5:20 5:21 6:11 9:11 9:11 Jonah 1:2 3:10 Micah 1:16 5:10 6:7 6:8 7:8 Habakkuk 1:16 2:2 2:2 Zephaniah 1:5 1:7 Haggai 2:9 Zechariah 2:8 2:8 3:2 6:12 Malachi 2:10 4:3 4:4 Matthew 1:5 3:2 4:15 4:16 5:10 5:11 ”
  18. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 23.3: 10:23 12:23 12:51 12:51 12:51 13:21 13:21 13:22 14:21 14:27 14:28 14:29 15:1 19:6 19:20 20:5 20:5 21:8 21:8 21:8 22:22-24 22:23 23:8 23:8 23:19 23:32 25:21 25:22 29:42 32:32 33:9 34:6 34:7 34:26 Leviticus 1:11 10:1 19:18 23:40 26 26:18 26:18 26:21 26:21 26:24 26:26 26:28 26:31 26:36 26:36 Numbers 12:6 14:14 21:9 23:19 23:23 33:52 33:55 Deuteronomy 1:33 1:44 4:6 4:7 4:24 5:9 6:5 7:16 8:2 9:3 10:12 10:20 12:5 12:6 12:7 12:12 12:13 12:18 13:5 15:9 16:19 17:16 18:10-15 18:15 18:20 19:19 19:21 23:18 24:15 28 28:11 28:64 29:5 29:19 30:3 30:4 30:4 3”
  19. Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 29:33: 29:33 their purification: Or their atonement. Traditionally, atonement has been described as a “covering over.” Some more recent commentators seek to derive the term from another Semitic root (which does not occur elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible) and thus arrive at “blot out, erase, or cleanse.” In either case, the effect is the same: Persons and objects are made capable of surviving in God’s presence because of a negation of the effects of their sin.”
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