10. Summation
The Lumen Christi model, meets my criteria for an acceptable atonement theory, engages with all the key issues and avoids the objections to the traditional theories. Its understanding of how Jesus’ death on the cross relates to salvation affirms God’s goodness and sovereignty.
Lumen Christi is a multifaceted model which, unlike other such approaches, does not combine discordant theories. Instead, it applies a range of scriptural principles to their respective situations. This makes it difficult to come up with a concise description covering the model’s many features.
However, a problem with the historical theories is their being too simplistic to encompass the complexities of the atonement. So, where the traditional theories focus on defeating Satan, or appeasing God’s honour, or obtaining justice or transforming lives, Lumen Christi aims at achieving atonement in every aspect of a creation damaged by evil. The light of Christ dispels darkness, attracts sinners to the Saviour, and reveals the children of God. The model’s distinctive features are summarised as follows.
1. The covenant of God (I will be their God and they shall be my people) is a metaphor for the relationship with God that conveys the love, goodness and sovereignty of God and drives the atonement.
2. God repairs every part of creation damaged by sin including:
Alienation of creation and people from God;
Damaged interpersonal relationships;
Unrighteousness and injustice;
Lost holiness;
Human slavery to sin;
Environmental damage.
3. God proceeds towards his goal of atonement through the Old Covenant, New Covenant and consummation phases of God’s plan.
4. Justice, in God’s hands, is restorative rather than punitive (as humanity uses punishment) and includes both justification and sanctification.
5. Good overcomes or displaces evil as light dispels darkness and love overcomes sins. God the Father exalted Christ and saves the people Christ sacrificed his life for in order to overcome the evil of the cross and the sins of believers.
6. God the Father did not turn against Jesus on the cross. There was no break in communion.
7. Christ’s incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension and return are all significant events in God’s project of achieving atonement.
8. Christ’s forgiveness of sinners does not of itself imply God’s reconciliation with sinners. God raises to righteousness those sinners who are in communion with Christ.
9. Christ’s mediatorial role in salvation signifies that sinners do not contribute to their salvation.
Although it seems to me that Lumen Christi is a sound model, the certainty of proof is elusive. But regardless of whether the church finds the proposed model convincing, I hope it will at least contribute to advancing soteriology. Churches cling to the traditional theories despite their well-known flaws because of the lack of a coherent alternative. Therefore, I submit the Lumen Christi model to the church for consideration as a viable option and ask the church’s theologians to continue its development.
The End