Satisfaction Theory (Atonement)
Sin incurs a debt of honor to God that Christ alone repays
The satisfaction theory holds that human sin owes God a debt or offends his honor, and that Christ's death renders the satisfaction owed, making things right. It was classically framed by Anselm in Cur Deus Homo and became influential in Western, Latin theology. This emphasis is less central in Eastern Christian thought, which tends to approach the atonement through other models such as victory and liberation.
How it traveled
- HebrewsRome · 67explains
- Expositions on the Book of PsalmsHippo Regius · 430explains
- Anselm's Cur Deus HomoCanterbury · 1109explains
- Treatise on the Incarnation (qq[1]-59)Paris · 1274explains
- Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90)Paris · 1274explains
- Book Third. the Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ. the Benefits It Confers, and the Effects Resulting from ItGeneva · 1564explains
- Book Second. of the Knowledge of God the Redeemer, in Christ, as First Manifested to the Fathers, Under the Law, and Thereafter to Us Under the GospelGeneva · 1564explains
- XIV Five discourses on the soul's eternal salvationNorthampton, Massachusetts · 1758explains
- A History of the Work of RedemptionNorthampton, Massachusetts · 1758explains
- Seven Sermons. On Important SubjectsNorthampton, Massachusetts · 1758explains
- The Wisdom of God Displayed in the Way of SalvationNorthampton, Massachusetts · 1758explains
Key passages(20)
Anselm's Cur Deus Homo · Anselm of Canterbury
How man cannot be saved without satisfaction for sin. Anselm. It was fitting for God to fill the places of the fallen angels from among men. Boso. That is certain. Anselm. Therefore there ought to
Tap to expand
Treatise on the Incarnation (qq[1]-59) · Thomas Aquinas
Objection 3: Further, the might of Christ's Passion endures for ever, as, according to Heb. 10:14: "By one oblation He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." But deliverance rom the devil'
Tap to expand
A History of the Work of Redemption · Jonathan Edwards
THE PURCHASE OF REDEMPTION Having thus considered Christ’s coming into the world, and his taking on him our nature, to put himself in a capacity for the purchase of redemption, I come now to show wha
Tap to expand
A History of the Work of Redemption · Jonathan Edwards
3. It was by the same things that Christ hath satisfied God’s justice, and also purchased eternal happiness. He did not make satisfaction by some things, and then work out righteousness by other diffe
Tap to expand
Anselm's Cur Deus Homo · Anselm of Canterbury
What it is to sin, and to make satisfaction for sin. Anselm. We must needs inquire, therefore, in what manner God puts away men’s sins; and, in order to do this more plainly, let us first consider wh
Tap to expand
Anselm's Cur Deus Homo · Anselm of Canterbury
Whether it were proper for God to put away sins by compassion alone, without any payment of debt. Anselm. Let us return and consider whether it were proper for God to put away sins by compassion alon
Tap to expand
Anselm's Cur Deus Homo · Anselm of Canterbury
How nothing less was to be endured, in the order of things, than that the creature should take away the honor due the Creator and not restore what he takes away. Anselm. In the order of things, there
Tap to expand
Anselm's Cur Deus Homo · Anselm of Canterbury
That satisfaction ought to be proportionate to guilt; and that man is of himself unable to accomplish this. Anselm. Neither, I think, will you doubt this, that satisfaction should be proportionate to
Tap to expand
Anselm's Cur Deus Homo · Anselm of Canterbury
What contempt man brought upon God, when he allowed himself to be conquered by the devil; for which he can make no satisfaction. Anselm. Man being made holy was placed in paradise, as it were in the
Tap to expand
Anselm's Cur Deus Homo · Anselm of Canterbury
How no being, except the God-man, can make the atonement by which man is saved. Anselm. But this cannot be effected, except the price paid to God for the sin of man be something greater than all the
Tap to expand
Anselm's Cur Deus Homo · Anselm of Canterbury
How his death outweighs the number and greatness of our sins. Boso. Now I ask you to tell me how his death can outweigh the number and magnitude of our sins, when the least sin we can think of you ha
Tap to expand
Anselm's Cur Deus Homo · Anselm of Canterbury
How Christ’s life is paid to God for the sins of men, and in what sense Christ ought, and in what sense he ought not, or was not bound, to suffer. Anselm. If he allowed himself to be slain for the sa
Tap to expand
Book Third. the Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ. the Benefits It Confers, and the Effects Resulting from It · John Calvin
OF THE MODES OF SUPPLEMENTING SATISFACTION—VIZ. INDULGENCES AND PURGATORY. Divisions of the chapter,—I. A summary description and refutation of Popish indulgences, sec. 1, 2. II. Confutation by Leo a
Tap to expand
Treatise on the Incarnation (qq[1]-59) · Thomas Aquinas
We now have to consider Christ's Passion as to its effect; first of all, as to the manner in which it was brought about; and, secondly, as to the effect in itself. Under the first heading there are si
Tap to expand
Treatise on the Incarnation (qq[1]-59) · Thomas Aquinas
Reply to Objection 2: As stated above (A[1], ad 4,5), in order to secure the effects of Christ's Passion, we must be likened unto Him. Now we are likened unto Him sacramentally in Baptism, according t
Tap to expand
Anselm's Cur Deus Homo · Anselm of Canterbury
How Christ dies of his own power, and how mortality does not inhere in the essential nature of man. Anselm. Now, also, it remains to inquire whether, as man’s nature is, it is possible for that man t
Tap to expand
Book Third. the Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ. the Benefits It Confers, and the Effects Resulting from It · John Calvin
22. Should any one object, first, that the lawful ministers of Christ will be no less perplexed in the discharge of their duty, because the absolution, which depends on faith, will always be equivocal
Tap to expand
Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · Jonathan Edwards
1. The mercy of God is as sufficient for the pardon of the greatest sins, as for the least; and that because his mercy is infinite. That which is infinite, is as much above what is great, as it is abo
Tap to expand
Treatise on the Incarnation (qq[1]-59) · Thomas Aquinas
We must now consider the defects Christ assumed in the human nature; and first, of the defects of body; secondly, of the defects of soul. Under the first head there are four points of inquiry: (1) W
Tap to expand
Treatise on the Incarnation (qq[1]-59) · Thomas Aquinas
We must now consider the defects pertaining to the soul; and under this head there are ten points of inquiry: (1) Whether there was sin in Christ? (2) Whether there was the "fomes" of sin in Him? (
Tap to expand