Sister Theresa became very passionate with me. She insisted that I go and see the movie, The Passion. I pointed out to her that I was well versed in the details of Christ’s death and I didn’t need to see it in graphic detail. But Sister Theresa said that I had to see it firsthand in order to truly know the sacrifice Jesus made for us. What struck me about this conversation was how emotional she became over Jesus’ sacrifice and the fact that any articulation of the classic atonement doctrine was missing. What made the good sister passionate was self sacrifice, not sacrifice for human guilt.
Christian atonement doctrine exists in this strange parallel universe along with the doctrines of God’s justice and mercy. Christian atonement teaches us that the original man and woman sinned and that this sin must be atoned for. Humanity is incapable of the proper atonement for the original crime and so God atoned for our sins by the shedding of the blood of Jesus. Original sin was once for all and so the washing away of sin was once for all through the cross. The problem is that this sounds like a universal salvation doctrine. Jesus suffered and died and we are all going to heaven. Not quite. The doctrine of God’s justice says that we will have to answer for our lifetime actions. Hitler is not getting a free ticket to heaven. The doctrine of God’s mercy says that if we truly repent of our sins in our hearts we will be forgiven. The repentant thief on the cross really will be with Jesus in paradise. God’s justice and mercy seem to contradict Christ’s atonement. If our sins were forgiven at the cross then why do we need to repent? If the door to heaven was shut before the cross then why did God require in the scriptures for people to live a righteous life? It takes logical dexterity to make this all work, but people have been at it for 2,000 years and have gotten the arguments down. Regardless of these millions of words the atonement still doesn’t make any sense. I think that even Sister Theresa instinctively knows that Jesus’ suffering had nothing to do with the so called universal sin of humanity.
The Urantia Book is explicit in its condemnation of the atonement doctrine. Jesus did not die: to atone for the guilt of humanity; to open up the door of reconciliation to an offended God; to clear the way to eternal salvation (2016.7). Jesus’ death did not purchase us from the ownership of the forces of evil or pay a debt owed to a vengeful God (2016.9). Sin is not an inherited condition – people sin from choice (2016.11). The atonement doctrine is incompatible with the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth (2017.3). It’s time to move on from this backward and mistaken religious teaching. I think that everyone who believes in God would say that God is fair. The atonement is not fair or just and it needs to be replaced by a doctrine that is fair and just. Salvation was and is open to everyone – before and after Jesus’ life on earth. God welcomes all who willingly enter into the Kingdom without the necessity of a blood sacrifice. In a universe ruled by a loving Father there is no need for an innocent to suffer for the guilty (2017.6).
So why did Jesus suffer and die on the cross? Christian atonement doctrine was developed in order to answer this question. There had to be a reason for God to want Jesus to suffer and die – and dieing for the sin of the entire human race sounded like a pretty good reason. But it is not good enough for a modern world that no longer understands the necessity for universal atonement. It needs to be replaced by the real reason for Jesus’ suffering and death – joyful giving (1944.4). Jesus went through all of that craziness in order to joyfully give of himself to and for an entire universe (2017.1). Throughout his life Jesus taught his followers that serving others is the highest form of living (2017.4). And then he showed it through the way he died. Jesus lovingly laid down his life to inspire even the least worthy children of his creation (2018.7). And that joyful sacrifice has moved many of his children to strengthen their faith (2018.5) and to go and do likewise (2019.3). Jesus gave and the benefits of that gift – experienced throughout our universe – are what bring about the joy.
My wife doesn’t mention the pain and discomfort of her three pregnancies. She never talks about the sacrifice she made to have kids. Instead she talks about the joy that she receives from our family. Maybe Sister Theresa is right, maybe I should see the film. Maybe I should go to look through the horrible images and see what lies behind them – joyful giving to the children of a universe.
God Bless You,
William Whitehead
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