Reclaiming Ancient Wisdom: The Orthodox Christian View of Atonement

Grasping the nuanced Orthodox view of atonement can be challenging. Salvation in Orthodox Christianity is not merely about forgiveness of sins; it's a transformative journey towards theosis, or deification, signifying the union with God. This journey involves a rebirth through the Holy Spirit in Baptism, participation in the sacraments (such as Baptism, the Eucharist and Confession), plus a disciplined Christ-centered life dedicated to prayer, fasting, and following the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Church. It's a path towards a loving relationship embodying God's love and holiness, facilitated by God's grace and our proactive cooperation with His will.

Why did Jesus Come?

The necessity of Jesus' coming is rooted in the aftermath of the Fall of Adam and Eve, a Divine plan humanity missed their free will to  separate from God and were then subjected to death and ego-centric desires. Christ's mission was to heal this separation, liberating us from the tyranny of death and sin. His Incarnation—a union of divine with human flesh—recreated humanity. Making accessible to all a divine-human synergy initiated through a rebirth in baptism, exemplified by His life and teachings, sustained by His Church and sacraments, and culminated in His voluntary sacrifice on the Cross and Resurrection, a triumph over death offering eternal life to believers.

Atonement

The concept of atonement is Biblical using the Greek terms "καταλλαγή" (katallagē), meaning reconciliation or restoration to favor, in the context of the reconciliation between God and man through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) and "ἱλαστήριον" (hilastērion), "propitiation," "expiation," or "mercy seat." (Romans 3:25). These describe Christ's sacrificial death as a means of overcoming sinful nature of humankind.This reflects an idea of Christ as a sacrifice that redeems us from our sinful and mortal condition. This restorative nature of Christ's work, focuses on redemption and liberation based on love rather than appeasing wrath. Orthodox do not view Christ as a penal substitute, but as a victor over death, liberating humanity from our bondage to it.

This perspective starkly contrasts with the judicial notions prevalent in Protestant Christianity, such as penal substitution* and satisfaction theory**, which interpret Jesus' death as a means to satisfy divine justice. Instead, Orthodox theology cherishes God's love and mercy, emphasizing His benevolent relationship with humanity that fosters forgiveness and healing as illustrated by the Parable of the Prodigal Son*** and the transformative process of repentance (metanoia).

 

God as Love

Orthodox Christian theology emphasizes God's love, mercy, and readiness to forgive, rather than focusing on divine wrath or punishment for sin. This understanding is deeply rooted in the Bible and Orthodox tradition, offering a nuanced view of how God relates out of love to humanity. John gives us the view that God is love (1 John 4:8), and this love forms the foundation of the relationship between God and humanity. All of God's actions toward humanity are motivated by this love, seeking not to condemn, but to bring about reconciliation and healing.

The apparent conflict between the concepts of God's love and wrath can be understood in the context of God's holiness and justice. God's wrath is not like human anger but is a metaphor for the consequence of sin that disrupts the natural order and harmony of creation, including our relationship with God. Orthodox theology teaches that God's justice and love are not in conflict; rather, God's corrective actions are always aimed at healing and restoring relationships, not punitive in the way humans often understand punishment. 

General versus Personal Salvation

Another important aspect of Orthodox thinking on Salvation is the distinction between a general or Cosmic salvation and our personal, or individual salvation. In cosmic terms Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection makes salvation possible for all humanity. He defeated the powers of sin and death for everyone. This is sometimes described as "opening the gates of Paradise," restoring the potential for communion with God for all human beings. His salvific work is also seen as affecting the entire cosmos, not just humanity. The entire creation, which groans under the burden of sin (Romans 8:22), is on a path toward restoration and fulfillment in God.

While the general offer of salvation is universal, its actualization in the life of each person involves a personal response and cooperation with God's grace. Orthodox Christianity emphasizes the concept of synergy (cooperation between human freedom and divine grace) in the process of salvation. Individuals must actively respond to God's offer of salvation through faith, repentance, and living a life in accordance with God's commandments and the teachings of the Church. This personal journey is called theosis, or deification, where the believer participates in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) through grace. This involves a lifelong process of spiritual growth, becoming more like Christ through participation in the sacraments, prayer, fasting, charitable works, and the cultivation of virtues.

The cosmic aspect of salvation lays the foundation and opens the door for all humanity to be saved. The personal aspect involves walking through that door and embarking on the journey toward union with God which the Church nourishes by providing the sacraments, teachings, and community life through which individuals grow in their relationship with God and each other.

A Difficult Doctrine - How to Overcome

For non-Orthodox this pure Orthodox understanding of salvation is difficult due to their long held judicial views. To overcome this additional study may be needed by studying the writings of the early church fathers such as Saint Atanasiusthe Great of Alexander who famously wrote, "God became man so that man might become god.” It’s helpful to gain clarity on the historical continuity in the Orthodox Church how it has maintained the earliest teachings through the conciliatory action of the Ecumenical councils. 

One must also when reading Scripture take into it full and broad account the narrative of God's relationship with humanity, rather than isolating verses that might support a judicial view. Focus on how Christ's life, teachings, death, and resurrection embody and convey salvation as healing, victory over death, and restoration to communion with God, rather than solely as penal substitution or payment for sin. Examine the role of love and relationship. Reflect on the scriptures  that  portray God fundamentally as love (e.g., 1 John 4:8) and salvation as a return to loving communion with God and one another, rather than escaping punishment. Also review the parables of Jesus like the Prodigal Son to illustrate the nature of God's forgiveness and love, showing how they transcend a purely legalistic understanding of sin and forgiveness. 

Examine the limitations of the legalistic metaphors that you may be familiar with. While judicial language is one biblical metaphor for understanding salvation, it is not the only or even the primary lens through which to view the relationship between God and humanity. The Bible uses a rich array of metaphors to describe salvation, including healing, adoption, and marriage. Consider that different metaphors and teachings in the Bible were addressed to specific audiences in their own cultural and historical contexts, which can help in understanding why certain metaphors were used and how they might be understood today.

Finally experience the Orthodox worship and spirituality. Attend the Divine Liturgy and read about it. It too is a sacrament. Learn about the Orthodox spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, reflecting on how they contribute to a personal experience of salvation as transformation and deification, and help to deepen one's relationship with God.  

Significant Difference

These differences in views from the more judicial ones of others cannot be thought of as mere use of different metaphors. The orthodox perspective deserves a thoughtful nuanced approach. Proper understanding will influence your way of life to become prepared for that time of judgement. 

Notes 

*Penal Substitution (Especially in Protestantism): This theory suggests that Jesus took the place of sinners by bearing God's punishment for sin on the cross, thereby satisfying divine justice and allowing God to forgive sin without compromising His righteousness. It is more commonly emphasized in Protestant theology.

**Satisfaction Theory (Catholicism): Developed by St. Anselm, this view suggests that Jesus' death was a sacrifice that satisfied the honor of God, which had been offended by human sin. It places a significant emphasis on Jesus' death as a necessary act to restore the relationship between God and humanity.

***The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) is a key biblical passage that illustrates God's readiness to forgive and welcome back sinners who repent. The father's joyful and loving acceptance of the returning son, without retribution for his past misdeeds, symbolizes God's mercy and forgiveness towards repentant sinners. This parable is often highlighted in Orthodox teaching to emphasize God's unconditional love and forgiveness.