Under the canopy of Christian thinking the nature and meaning of atonement spans the conservative notion of penal substitution to the mystical notion of at-one-ment. The implications are both emotional and theological. Emotionally, a person’s conviction on atonement shapes how they feel about themselves, Jesus’ death on the cross, and God’s part in Jesus’ crucifixion. Theologically, a person’s convictions on atonement influence other important christian thought, for example, on salvation and faith. This class will begin by surveying prominent theories on atonement. It will conclude by trying to contextualize these theories into historical-cultural thinking that will help us to appreciate the multi-faceted meaning of atonement, which allows for dynamic relevance depending on person, place, and time. Questions? Contact Pastor Mike.