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The biblical doctrine of the Atonement is a continual reminder of just where we stand with God. It puts us in exactly the right place with regard to him: as helpless sinners, saved ever and only by his grace; always in debt to him; always, only able to boast because of him. The consideration of the Cross fills us more and more with the knowledge of the length and height and depth and breadth of the love of God for us, and it makes us love the Lord more and more.

Again, from that old hymn:
In my place, condemned he stood,
Sealed my pardon with his blood!
Alleluia!

Peter Jensen is the 11th Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Australia. This article is adapted from an address given at the National Evangelical Anglican Congress in September 2003.

Other articles on the atonement include:

The Disappearance of Punishment | Metaphors, models, and the meaning of the atonement. (Books & Culture, March/April 2003)

Violence and the Atonement | by Richard J. Mouw (Books & Culture, January/February 2001)

Stephen King's Redemption | The master of horror's latest novels show a rich appreciation of the atonement. (March 6, 2000)

More is available from our theology page.

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March 2004, Vol. 48, No. 3