A question just to start things off.

[TomL]

The question is frequently asked today: “What is the core of what one must believe in order to be a Christian?” As an answer, the atonement is not the only thing we must believe in order to be saved, but it is certainly among the necessary truths for Christian salvation.

The apostle John expressed his understanding of the essential Christian confession toward the end of his Gospel: “these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). To receive eternal life, we must believe that Jesus is the Christ (the Greek word for the Hebrew Messiah)—we might give the word Savior as an equivalent—and that he is the Son of God.

Where, we may ask, is the atonement? The answer is that as soon as we unpack the confession of Jesus as our Christ, or Savior, we find ourselves at the atonement. For the questions must be asked: “Who is Jesus the Christ and Savior?” and “What did the Christ do to save us?” The answers take us directly to the cross and Christ’s atoning work. Richard D. Phillips

What are the various theories on the atonement?​

you may add to Johan's list the Restored icon, and Priestly sacrificial atonement.

 

[Johann]

you may add to Johan's list the Restored icon, and Priestly sacrificial atonement.

What on earth is wrong with that?

Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV):

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 7:24-25 (NIV):

"But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
Hebrews 9:11-12 (NIV):

"But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption."
Romans 8:34 (NIV):

"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
Priestly Functions of Jesus
Intercession:

Jesus is depicted as continually interceding on behalf of believers before God. This intercession is ongoing, reflecting His role as a mediator between God and humanity.
Sacrifice:

Jesus’ priestly role is based on His one-time sacrificial offering of Himself on the cross. Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament priests, Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient for all time.
Mediator:

As the high priest, Jesus bridges the gap between God and humanity, providing access to God’s grace and forgiveness.
Sympathy and Understanding:

Jesus, having experienced human weakness and temptation, is able to sympathize with human frailties, making His intercession compassionate and effective.

Theological Significance
Eternal Priesthood: Jesus’ priesthood is eternal, meaning it does not end with His death but continues forever. This is contrasted with the temporary and repeated priesthood of the Levitical system in the Old Testament.

Heavenly Sanctuary: Jesus serves in the heavenly sanctuary, a perfect and eternal counterpart to the earthly tabernacle or temple.

Perfect Sacrifice: Jesus’ sacrifice is once-for-all, sufficient to atone for the sins of humanity, negating the need for ongoing animal sacrifices.
Conclusion

According to the New Testament, Jesus is indeed performing priestly service now. He is interceding for believers, acting as their mediator before God, and applying the benefits of His once-for-all sacrifice. This priestly role is central to Christian understanding of salvation and ongoing spiritual life.

I am rejoicing because of this-or did you not know our Lord Jesus Christ is our High Priest?

Why the cold shoulder?

 

[civic]

What on earth is wrong with that?

Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV):

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 7:24-25 (NIV):

"But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
Hebrews 9:11-12 (NIV):

"But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption."
Romans 8:34 (NIV):

"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
Priestly Functions of Jesus
Intercession:

Jesus is depicted as continually interceding on behalf of believers before God. This intercession is ongoing, reflecting His role as a mediator between God and humanity.
Sacrifice:

Jesus’ priestly role is based on His one-time sacrificial offering of Himself on the cross. Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament priests, Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient for all time.
Mediator:

As the high priest, Jesus bridges the gap between God and humanity, providing access to God’s grace and forgiveness.
Sympathy and Understanding:

Jesus, having experienced human weakness and temptation, is able to sympathize with human frailties, making His intercession compassionate and effective.

Theological Significance
Eternal Priesthood: Jesus’ priesthood is eternal, meaning it does not end with His death but continues forever. This is contrasted with the temporary and repeated priesthood of the Levitical system in the Old Testament.

Heavenly Sanctuary: Jesus serves in the heavenly sanctuary, a perfect and eternal counterpart to the earthly tabernacle or temple.

Perfect Sacrifice: Jesus’ sacrifice is once-for-all, sufficient to atone for the sins of humanity, negating the need for ongoing animal sacrifices.
Conclusion

According to the New Testament, Jesus is indeed performing priestly service now. He is interceding for believers, acting as their mediator before God, and applying the benefits of His once-for-all sacrifice. This priestly role is central to Christian understanding of salvation and ongoing spiritual life.

I am rejoicing because of this-or did you not know our Lord Jesus Christ is our High Priest?

Why the cold shoulder?

What is the source material for the above cut n paste ?

 

[TomL]

What on earth is wrong with that?

Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV):

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 7:24-25 (NIV):

"But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
Hebrews 9:11-12 (NIV):

"But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption."
Romans 8:34 (NIV):

"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
Priestly Functions of Jesus
Intercession:

Jesus is depicted as continually interceding on behalf of believers before God. This intercession is ongoing, reflecting His role as a mediator between God and humanity.
Sacrifice:

Jesus’ priestly role is based on His one-time sacrificial offering of Himself on the cross. Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament priests, Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient for all time.
Mediator:

As the high priest, Jesus bridges the gap between God and humanity, providing access to God’s grace and forgiveness.
Sympathy and Understanding:

Jesus, having experienced human weakness and temptation, is able to sympathize with human frailties, making His intercession compassionate and effective.

Theological Significance
Eternal Priesthood: Jesus’ priesthood is eternal, meaning it does not end with His death but continues forever. This is contrasted with the temporary and repeated priesthood of the Levitical system in the Old Testament.

Heavenly Sanctuary: Jesus serves in the heavenly sanctuary, a perfect and eternal counterpart to the earthly tabernacle or temple.

Perfect Sacrifice: Jesus’ sacrifice is once-for-all, sufficient to atone for the sins of humanity, negating the need for ongoing animal sacrifices.
Conclusion

According to the New Testament, Jesus is indeed performing priestly service now. He is interceding for believers, acting as their mediator before God, and applying the benefits of His once-for-all sacrifice. This priestly role is central to Christian understanding of salvation and ongoing spiritual life.

I am rejoicing because of this-or did you not know our Lord Jesus Christ is our High Priest?

Why the cold shoulder?

What are you talking about?

Who stated anything was wrong and what cold shoulder are you speaking of?

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

2. Christus Victor
Emphasizes Christ's victory over the powers of sin, death, and evil, liberating humanity from bondage.
Foundational in early Christianity and Eastern Orthodox theology.

3. Moral Influence Theory
Highlights Christ's death as a demonstration of God's love, intended to inspire moral transformation in humanity.
Associated with some forms of liberal and moral exemplarist theology.

I guess these two theories above look closer to my current understanding of atonement, plus another one not mentioned in the list:


The Pastoral Theory
Jesus sacrifice replaces animal sacrifice as a symbol because it works better to address a big problem in the first Christian congregations: the demand placed by Judaizing converts over Greek converts to attend the Temple in Jerusalem for animal sacrifices (and, for that matter, to keep the Law of Moses as a whole). Replacing the slaughtering of lambs by the sacrifice of the "Lamb of God" is equivalent to replacing foreskin circumcision with the "circumcision of the heart" or keeping the Sabbath with "entering Christ's rest".
It is a new "spiritual reinterpretation" of an old bloody ritual.

 

[Behold]

The Pastoral Theory
Jesus sacrifice replaces animal sacrifice as a symbol

The shed Blood of Jesus that is the "Blood Atonement" that is the "new covenant" that is the "one time eternal sacrifice for Sin", is not a "Symbol".

Jesus didnt Bleed "symbols"... . He bled Red Human Blood, that ran off his tortured Body, down The Cross, and puddled at the foot of The Cross.

That's not a symbol..

That is THE Lord as THE Bleeding Dying SACRIFICE... that is this...>>"without the shedding of Blood there is no remission, redemption, or forgiveness".

Had Jesus not shed His Blood then no Believer's sin could be dealt with eternally.

Do you understand this @Pancho Frijoles ??

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

The shed Blood of Jesus that is the "Blood Atonement" that is the "new covenant" that is the "one time eternal sacrifice for Sin", is not a "Symbol".

Jesus didnt Bleed "symbols"... . He bled Red Human Blood, that ran off his tortured Body, down The Cross, and puddled at the foot of The Cross.

Certainly, the blood of Jesus was literal.
The water of baptism was literal.
The bread Jesus blessed was literal.

Yet, you don't believe that such blood literally washes you from sins.
You don't believe that the water of baptism literally buries you to your past life or washes out your sins.
You don't believe that a loaf of bread is literally the body of Christ and you can literally eat his body.

Blood is a symbol of the life Jesus gave up for our sake, so that we could receive his Message on forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

 

[Behold]

Yet, you don't believe that such blood literally washes you from sins.

Of course i do.
I Literally believe that the Blood of Jesus, washes away the sin of the World., as Paul Teaches, as Peter understood, as Christ's Salvation.

@Pancho Frijoles ....You are of some odd Baha'is religion, that believes that Peter is the first Pope, so, for you everything is symbolic......but for God, it was LITERAL.... He Literally offers Jesus as a Literal Blood Sacrifice.

Welcome to CHRISTianity... its where God offers the SHED BLOOD of His Son, and the Death of His Son, to forgive people like you who play with Religion and try to sound "authentic".

So, If you own a Bible, then read Romans 3:25..

"""Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in HIS BLOOD, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;""""

""""whom God set forth as a propitiation through.. FAITH IN HIS BLOOD for a showing forth of His righteousness, because of the forbearance of the sins having taken place beforehand,

"""""God presented him as the mercy seat BY HIS (Jesus's) BLOOD , through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed.

 

[Predestined]

I guess these two theories above look closer to my current understanding of atonement, plus another one not mentioned in the list:


The Pastoral Theory
Jesus sacrifice replaces animal sacrifice as a symbol because it works better to address a big problem in the first Christian congregations: the demand placed by Judaizing converts over Greek converts to attend the Temple in Jerusalem for animal sacrifices (and, for that matter, to keep the Law of Moses as a whole). Replacing the slaughtering of lambs by the sacrifice of the "Lamb of God" is equivalent to replacing foreskin circumcision with the "circumcision of the heart" or keeping the Sabbath with "entering Christ's rest".
It is a new "spiritual reinterpretation" of an old bloody ritual.

This person is no longer here after dozens of warnings for excessive cut and pastes from sources that would not be cited and plagiarized material.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

Of course i do.
I Literally believe that the Blood of Jesus, washes away the sin of the World., as Paul Teaches, as Peter understood, as Christ's Salvation.

Good morning, Behold.
I'll try to explain what I mean.

The precious blood of Jesus Christ does not exist now, literally. It was shed 2000 years ago. When you ask for forgiveness, you don't have any contact with such blood. Some ancient cults needed literal interaction with blood and/or with the animal or person being slaughtered. That is not your case.
So, when you speak about the blood of Jesus, you are talking about an abstract concept: you are talking about what such blood means for you.
A symbol is a physical object that is precious because of its meaning.

This meaning differs from person to person, even among Christians. Not all Christians, for example, believe in the penalty substitutionary atonement theory.

 

[Behold]

The precious blood of Jesus Christ does not exist now, literally. It was shed 2000 years ago.

It does exist now.
It exists forever, as "The one time ETERNAL Sacrifice for sin"...

Its exist like this.......= forever....."God HATH made JESUS....to be SIN for us"..

You just read multiple verses that said to have """"FAITH in the "BLOOD" of Jesus'"... So, if didnt exist literally, then not only would the Blood be symbolic, but the faith would also, and "without faith its impossible to please God".

So, both the BLOOD of Jesus and FAITH, are LITERAL..

See those?
Those are not "symbolic" and they both exist, as if they didn't, then there would be no Redemption "through Christ", available.

Now, what is symbolic?

Taking "communion", is symbolic.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

It does exist now.
It exists forever, as "The one time ETERNAL Sacrifice for sin"...

You know that blood does not exist, and that sacrifice does not exist. Those are past events.
What exists forever is the meaning of that sacrifice. That is what is eternal.

Its exist like this.......= forever....."God HATH made JESUS....to be SIN for us"..

You just read multiple verses that said to have """"FAITH in the "BLOOD" of Jesus'"... So, if didnt exist literally, then not only would the Blood be symbolic, but the faith would also, and "without faith its impossible to please God".

No, my friend.
We are not called to have faith in any physical, literal object, including the blood of Jesus or the cross of Jesus.
What you are reading in the text is figurative language.

I respect your view, but I don't think, in my heart of hearts, that you have faith in the blood of Jesus, but on what that blood represents for you: the love of Jesus, his example and teachings.

 

[atpollard]

never mind.

 

[Behold]

You know that blood does not exist, and that sacrifice does not exist. Those are past events.

YOU just posted a God insulting, Cross denying Lie.
You just stated on a "christian forum"... that the BLOOD ATONEMENT, THAT IS THE "NEW Covenant", "Does not exist'.

Amazing what so called "christians forums", allow to be heard.
Its pathetic.

 

[TomL]

What on earth is wrong with that?

Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV):

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 7:24-25 (NIV):

"But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
Hebrews 9:11-12 (NIV):

"But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption."
Romans 8:34 (NIV):

"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
Priestly Functions of Jesus
Intercession:

Jesus is depicted as continually interceding on behalf of believers before God. This intercession is ongoing, reflecting His role as a mediator between God and humanity.
Sacrifice:

Jesus’ priestly role is based on His one-time sacrificial offering of Himself on the cross. Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament priests, Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient for all time.
Mediator:

As the high priest, Jesus bridges the gap between God and humanity, providing access to God’s grace and forgiveness.
Sympathy and Understanding:

Jesus, having experienced human weakness and temptation, is able to sympathize with human frailties, making His intercession compassionate and effective.

Theological Significance
Eternal Priesthood: Jesus’ priesthood is eternal, meaning it does not end with His death but continues forever. This is contrasted with the temporary and repeated priesthood of the Levitical system in the Old Testament.

Heavenly Sanctuary: Jesus serves in the heavenly sanctuary, a perfect and eternal counterpart to the earthly tabernacle or temple.

Perfect Sacrifice: Jesus’ sacrifice is once-for-all, sufficient to atone for the sins of humanity, negating the need for ongoing animal sacrifices.
Conclusion

According to the New Testament, Jesus is indeed performing priestly service now. He is interceding for believers, acting as their mediator before God, and applying the benefits of His once-for-all sacrifice. This priestly role is central to Christian understanding of salvation and ongoing spiritual life.

I am rejoicing because of this-or did you not know our Lord Jesus Christ is our High Priest?

Why the cold shoulder?

What cold shoulder?

I just added a couple of atonement theories to your list

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

YOU just posted a God insulting, Cross denying Lie.
You just stated on a "christian forum"... that the BLOOD ATONEMENT, THAT IS THE "NEW Covenant", "Does not exist'.

Amazing what so called "christians forums", allow to be heard.
Its pathetic.

If an atheist came to the forum, that atheist would claim that God does not exist and present his arguments.... and what would you do, then? Would you ask the administrators his expulsion? Or would you respectfully listen to his arguments and prepare a refutation?

The Bible states that God can forgive us out of his mercy and compassion.
It does not only states that. It provides examples of real human beings forgiven that way.
It does it not only in marginal isolated verses, but in full sections specifically addressing the issue.

I may be hurting your sensibilities, but I am not insulting God.
God is the All-Merciful, the Ocean of Mercy, the Clement, the Munificent. Praised be God forever and ever.