Thr3e Men, One Theology – The Christus Victor Atonement

For my second blog I've sorte-of jumped in with both feet -- deep!

Intro:
Three names: Gregory Boyd; Nicholas Thomas Wright; and Gustaf Aulen. One is an American Charismatic Minister and theologian known infamously for his views of God’s divine foreknowledge, Open Theism; one is a famous and much respected Anglican Bishop from England and world renowned New Testament scholar; and one, a late Lutheran Bishop of Sweden. So what do these three men from apparently three completely different theological (and cultural) worlds have in common?

Two words: Christus Victor.

The Great Dilemma
One day I discovered how little I actually knew about the doctrine of the atonement and how shallow what little I knew was! It happened about a year after my term at Bible College was over. I had taken up a position at small church in Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada, and the Pastor was looking for job to give me. At the time things were ‘booming’ in that little church as several individuals had committed their lives to Christ and there became a need for a ‘New Converts’ class. Fresh out of Bible College, I was the perfect candidate to apply what I had learned about the basics of Christianity to a group of ‘new’ Christians – unfortunately as things would turn out; it would appear that I had not learned much.

I’m a ‘create your own curriculum’ kind-a-guy – it keeps me off cruise control and on my toes. So as I was developing a chapter on the atonement I found myself in a bit of a jam because I realized I didn’t actually know what the atonement was! I mean I knew that the atonement was Christ’ sacrifice, that by the shedding of his blood he paid the price for sin on man’s behalf; I had a select amount of verses and I knew that it was essentially like a legal system depicted as a court case, but the ‘how’s’ and the ‘why’s’ just weren’t adding up for me, it was like something was missing.

Why did Christ have to die?
How does His death do anything for me?
Why couldn’t there be another way?
To who was the ‘ransom’ paid too?

And by extension I was left wondering what it was that was ultimately accomplished at the cross. Is God’s sol goal to save man from sin and death, and by extension, hell; and if so then why does the bible put so great an emphasis on Christ’ victory over the Devil? Why does victory over the devil at the present time matter if God’s only concern is to impute upon men the righteousness of Christ? Was not Abraham declared righteous before the Cross; before the Seed of Eve bruised the Serpents head? And what of creation; if God’s only concern is that man go to heaven then why is it that creation itself groans?

I had no answer to these questions, so for class I cranked out a dollar bill and spoke of a financial transaction – and beyond a doubt they walked away wondering why they took that class when any first level children’s church could teach the same but with greater levels of creativity.

Moving Beyond the Surface
An early church leader once asked this question: For what purpose did Christ come down from heaven? – Good question Ireneaus! This very question has been on my mind lately and I wish to explore it through the theology of three men, Gustaf Aulen (1879-1977), N.T. Wright, and finally Greg Boyd.

Practical Application
What we believe and know (certitude) to be true impacts the way live and move and have our being! If we say Christ, 2000 years ago paid the price for my sins, and then shrug our shoulders; we will then live with our shoulders shrugged. If Christ’ work on the cross has become abstract, removed, distant, and surreal; then so will our Christian lives become mundane.

But if we can grasp deeply what Christ accomplished on the cross – surely it can change our lives. Then the next time you close your eyes and meditate on the cross you will not feel a hallow distance of an abstract event, no, you will feel the presence of a real experience that is changing your life even now!

Our first order of business then is: what is Christus Victor?

Blessings,
Derek