Moral Influence Theory

Definition and Meaning

The moral influence theory is one of several theories that seek to explain how atonement, that is, the reconciliation of sinners with God, is accomplished. "Influence" here refers to moving a person so deeply that his or her heart and conduct are changed. The theory holds that the love of God displayed on the cross moves the human heart, and that as a result people repent and come to love God. The penal substitution theory focuses on Christ's bearing, in the sinner's place, the punishment the sinner deserved. The moral influence theory, by contrast, focuses on the effect the cross has on human beings. For this reason it is sometimes classified as a "subjective" theory of the atonement.

Biblical and Historical Background

Proponents of the theory cite Romans 5:8 and 1 John 4:9–12 in its support. These passages present the cross as the event that demonstrates God's love. Proponents also appeal to verses such as 1 Peter 2:21, which present Christ's sufferings as an example to be followed.

The twelfth-century French theologian Peter Abelard is commonly regarded as the theory's leading representative. In his commentary on Romans, he wrote that the love shown in Christ's death awakens love within us. Scholars disagree, however, about whether his thought on the atonement can be read solely in terms of this theory. In the nineteenth century, theologians associated with liberal theology are known to have developed similar views.

Critics contend that the theory does not adequately address the justice of God or the gravity of sin. They also argue that it fails to explain why Christ's death was necessary.

In the Korean Church

Mainstream Korean Presbyterianism stands in the tradition of Reformed theology and the Westminster Confession of Faith, and it treats penal substitution as central to its understanding of the atonement. In systematic theology courses at seminaries, the moral influence theory is generally presented, and critiqued, as a theory that weakens substitutionary atonement.

The Korean Methodist Church, Holiness churches, and Full Gospel churches likewise emphasize Christ's blood and substitutionary atonement in worship and in their hymns. Among more theologically progressive denominations and theologians, some examine multiple theories of the atonement together and engage positively with the insights of the moral influence theory.

In preaching and everyday Christian life, expressions such as "being moved and transformed by the love of the cross" are widely used across denominations. Many churches accept this dimension of moral influence as one aspect that complements substitutionary atonement. Often, however, they do not accept that it alone can account for the atonement as a whole.