I am aware of course that many of you are not believers, at least in a traditional way. And because of that, I try not to spend too much time on things having to do with faith, especially denominational faith. I leave that to my other blog, Walking in the Shadows. However I found this article so compelling that I thought I would share it with you, in keeping with the day.
I have for a long time not believed in what is referred to as “substitutionary atonement” or the tenet that God sent Jesus to earth with the express purpose of suffering and dying for our sins, the sin we carry from Adam’s original sin. It doesn’t comport with my view of God quite simply. As Kenneth R Overburg, SJ suggests, it takes Jesus out as Plan B, and replaced Him with the Word, foundational in creation, planned from the beginning to dwell among creation in the fullness of time.
It is the Incarnational model and centers Jesus as love offering, come among humanity at the right moment in time to offer the WAY to unity with the Godhead. Overburg writes a beautiful and compelling explanation of this interpretation which I think allows many who have rejected Christianity specifically because of the implications of the substitutionary atonement theory. Please enjoy, The Incarnation: Why God Wanted to Become Human.
♦
Isn’t he cute?
And aren’t they lovely?
Blessings to you all!
Existential Ennui 
I too have a problem with the idea of Jesus’ crucifixion as substitutionary atonement, since it deflects attention from the injustice of the crucifixion. Rather, as a nonbeliever who nevertheless respects Jesus’ message, I see the crucifixion as a reminder of the horrors of injustice and the importance of standing up for those who suffer oppression.
It has always bothered me Ahab because it puts God into the position of having to correct some error that he didn’t foresee. And it makes God appear to human in his “anger” mode that I simply don’t see. I think that is a old model, one prevelent in the more magical way of thinking common to the early Jewish writers. I see a God of love pervading and an Incarnational God is more in keeping with that theme. At least as I see it.
//Why God Wanted to Become Human.//
the more pressing problem is “Why Some Politicians Want to Be God”
You do have a point. Happy Easter Jimmy!
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And a very happy Easter to you, too!
Mine was lovely. Hope yours was too!