Atonement

Definition and Meaning

The Korean term for atonement, sokjoe (贖罪), means "to pay a price and wash away sin." In Christianity it refers to the work by which Jesus Christ died on the cross to deal with human sin and to reconcile God and humanity. The synonymous term daesok (代贖) means "to pay the price in another's place." It is used chiefly to emphasize that Christ took the place of sinners. The atonement forms the foundation of the doctrines of salvation and justification (God's declaring the sinner righteous).

Biblical and Historical Background

In the Old Testament, the sacrificial system, in which sin was cleansed through the blood of animals, provides the background for the concept of atonement. The most prominent example is the Day of Atonement ritual performed by the high priest once each year (Leviticus 16). The "Suffering Servant" of Isaiah 53 is also frequently cited as a basis for substitutionary atonement. In the New Testament, the following passages are regarded as central:

• Mark 10:45, which says that the Son of man came "to give his life a ransom for many"
• Romans 3:25, which calls Christ a "propitiation"
• Hebrews 9–10, which presents Christ as a sacrifice offered once for all

Over the course of church history, various theories have been proposed to explain the meaning of the atonement.

• Ransom theory: Holds that Christ gave his life as a ransom to free humanity from bondage to the powers of sin and evil. It was widely held among the early Church Fathers.
• Satisfaction theory: Systematized by Anselm of Canterbury in the late eleventh century. It holds that Christ made satisfaction for the honor of God that sin had violated.
• Moral influence theory: Associated with Peter Abelard in the twelfth century. It focuses on how the love displayed on the cross moves people to repentance.
• Penal substitution theory: The understanding that became dominant in Protestantism after the Reformation. It holds that Christ bore, in the sinner's place, the punishment the sinner deserved.
• Christus Victor theory: Views the cross as a victory over sin, death, and the devil.

Practice in the Korean Church

Korean Protestantism generally teaches penal substitution as its basic framework. "The precious blood" and "the substitutionary atonement of the cross" are leading themes of preaching and hymns, receiving particular emphasis during Lent, Holy Week, and the Lord's Supper.

The greatest difference among denominations lies in how they understand the extent of the atonement.

• Presbyterian: Presbyterians stand in the Calvinist tradition that follows the Westminster Confession of Faith. They teach "limited atonement" (or "particular atonement"), the view that Christ's atonement is effective for the elect. At the same time, they commonly explain that the atonement is in itself sufficient in value for all people.
• Methodist and Holiness churches: These churches belong to the tradition of Wesleyan theology and Arminianism. They teach "universal atonement," the view that Christ died for all people, citing passages such as 1 John 2:2.
• Baptist: Depending on the congregation and the pastor, both Calvinist and universal-atonement understandings are found.
• Full Gospel and other Pentecostal churches: Citing passages such as Isaiah 53:5, they teach that the atonement accomplished on the cross includes not only the forgiveness of sins but also divine healing and the restoration of one's life. Pastor David Yonggi Cho's Fivefold Gospel and Threefold Blessing are representative examples. Some in other denominations criticize this teaching as liable to drift toward prosperity theology, while Full Gospel proponents describe it as holistic salvation grounded in Scripture.
• Progressive theology: Some take a critical stance toward emphasizing penal substitution alone. They sometimes interpret the cross in terms of solidarity with those who suffer or of liberation.