The History of Christian Theology

Lecture 15: Atonement and the Procession of the Spirit

been harmed, offended, or dishonored. Although God cannot be harmed

in himself, he can be dishonored in his creatures. Because God is better

than the whole world or an in¿ nity of worlds, the debt incurred by sin or

disobedience to God is in¿ nite. To leave the debt unpaid, Anselm argues, is

not mercy but injustice. If someone cannot make satisfaction for his offense,

the only just alternative is punishment.

In Anselm’s account, God became human because this was the only way to

“make satisfaction” for sin. Only humans owe the debt, so God becomes

human to repay the debt. As a human being, Christ owes the debt; as God,

he pays the debt. Rather than looking at Christ’s death as an innocent person

being unjustly punished, Anselm takes the view that Christ is merciful by

paying the debt for our sins. Ŷ

Anselm, Why God Became Man in The Major Works.

Lossky, The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church, chap. 3.

Pelikan, The Christian Tradition, vol. 2, chap. 4.

1. Why does it matter what the source or principle of the Trinity is?


2. Is it a good thing that there is more than one theory of the atonement in
   Christian theology?

Questions to Consider

Suggested Reading