In one of my classes today, I was introduced to, "a relational view of atonement." This relational view is a favorite of feminist theologians. The basic assertion of this theory is that Sin is a matter of being out of synch with nature and with God. I do not have a problem per se with this idea, what gets to me is what comes next. If you accept that this disconnectedness is at the root of Sin, then reconnecting, or mending these relationships, is a form of atonement. In this case, when I reconcile with my neighbor, some atonement is accomplished.
I have two major problems with this theory:
1. I am not a fan of the idea that I can in some way participate in my own atonement. What if I do not make an effort to reconcile with my neighbors? Does that damn me to hell? How many neighbors do I need to reconcile with?
2. I also do not like the idea that atonement happens in small pieces. I'll defer to scripture here, " . . . we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all." Hebrews 10:10
Ah theology classes, I suspect that this will serve as a font of postings. Maybe all my readers will learn a little seminary stuff vicariously!
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1 comment:
admit it. you did this to bait me. :P
dave, what exactly is atonement? is it just saying the sinner's prayer? believing the right things? or is it not being born again, into a new way of life, a way of reconciliation and (dare i say it) atonement? reconciliation is atonement, if you ask me. i do not think you can have atonement in christianity without reconciliation.
I think your first problem with the relational view of atonement, comes from thinking that the relational view of atonement is meant to supplant and replace Christ's atonement. i don't think it is, but then again i've never studied it. :)
i think your second problem stems from the first. and of course, it might be valid, if i'm understanding this relational view of atonement incorrectly.
I guess you can simplify this into a faith and works issue. Faith w/o works is dead (yay James), but works w/o faith... i don't know. i think anyone who works (in the sense that we often use it, i.e. serving others), wholeheartedly and not just as a means of placating their own guilt or earning brownie points, has been touched by God. And received a partial revelation. Can good truly exist in anyone if not for the presence of God in their life?
kmin (since you so kindly identified yourself in your comment in my LJ). :)
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