Reconciliation of the Theories of Atonement of the East & West

Taken from the lecture “The Incarnation According to St. Athanasius”, by H.G. Bishop Raphael (Former Secretary of the Coptic Holy Synod).

Translation:

Unfortunately, there is a [theological] war coming from some who study patristics. They say that the Western view of the incarnation and redemption is juridical: Man sinned, was sentenced, and must pay the sentence. Christ came “paid” the sentence and left; He paid the debt. That’s the Western interpretation which is juridical. They say that the East [in contrast] upholds a view of “healing”, that is existential and ontological. Man sinned, as a result of sin, his nature became corrupt, and Christ came to “fix” the corruption for us. Notice that in this lecture, we are focused on both views. This is the view of Athanasius. St. Athanasius said yes, something was “paid” but also something was “healed”. If the West says something was “paid”, this is true. There are verses which speak about a ransom and payment. “You have been redeemed with a price”. It is there. But the West only focuses on this. They say the juridical view [of the West] resulted from political and economic reasons. A wrong committed against an officer is not the same as a wrong committed against a general. It is not the same as a wrong committed against a prince. And whoever wrongs God has no solution. This is the juridical interpretation. By the “East”, they mean the Byzantine Church. They don’t mean Alexandria. A long time ago, the Byzantine and Alexandrian Churches were of one mind. This is no longer the case. The Byzantines upheld the “healing” view, and this is great. But they rejected completely that a ransom was paid or that there was a “price” paid. They argue that God didn’t delight in the death of His Son, and that God doesn’t enjoy the sight of blood. But no one is saying that. When we read St. Athanasius, we see that both concepts are there. He said because all have died in Him (since we die in Him through baptism), He abolished for humanity the law of corruption and death. Why? Because the power of death was fulfilled in the body of the Lord. So death no longer has any power over the bodies of humans which are represented in the body of the Lord.

Let me give you an example. In countries where there are forests, there are many fires. During the hot season in Australia or California, for example, the trees get very dry because of the heat. Any spark can cause a large flame which spreads in an uncontrollable way because the forests are massive. They have to use helicopters to put out the fire. Fire spreads uncontrollably, threatens the environment, and can threaten people’s homes as well. Do you know what they do to stop the fire? They calculate exactly where the fire will spread based on the speed of wind. Then, in a controlled way, they burn the place where they predicted the fire will spread. When the actual fire spreads to the already burned area, the fire cannot continue because there is nothing for the fire to consume. Christ did something similar; death was consuming humanity. So He came and took death upon Himself and died, and we died in Him. Thus, death finds nothing in us since we already died in Him. The sentence of death was fulfilled in the body of the Lord.

Here is another example: A poor man owes a very large amount of money which he is unable to pay. He has to pay a million dollars, for example. The amount is out of reach for him. Even if he sold himself and his children, he would still not be able to come up with the money. So he knows he will have to go to prison. But he is surprised to find someone handing the judge papers saying that the debt has been paid. The judge looks at the papers and tells the man that he has been acquitted. This is because the debt was already paid. This is the juridical view which they don’t like; the sentence of death was fulfilled.

Here is a third example: Someone commits a crime deserving the sentence of death. Before he is executed, he dies in prison. What happens to the case? It is dropped. The attorney shows the judge the criminal’s death certificate. The judge closes his file. It is over. Similarly, humans were sentenced to death. Christ died. Thus, the sentence of death was fulfilled in the body of the Lord. Death no longer has any authority. It has no authority over humanity because it was already satisfied over the bodies of all, who are represented in the body of the Lord.

[Per St. Athanasius], this is point number one: Since all have died in Him, that is in Christ, He abolished for all humans the Law of death and corruption because the sentence of death was fulfilled. It is finished. Second, whereas men had turned toward corruption on account of transgression, He turned them again toward incorruption and quickened them from death by the appropriation of His body, and by the grace of the Resurrection, banishing death from them like straw from the fire.

The first view is juridical. The second is of healing. St. Athanasius adopted both views. So why do we fight each other [over this]? He said in his first point, the sentence was fulfilled. He said in his second point that He healed those who are ill. Both points are there. Those who turned toward corruption on account of transgression, He turned them again toward incorruption; this is the healing of human nature. The first was fulfilled on the cross. The second is fulfilled via baptism and the Eucharist. That’s why the Western view gave birth to the Protestant view which states that Jesus loves you; He died for you; you don’t need to do anything; baptism is only a symbol; there is no true body and blood; simply believe and you will be saved; Christ paid your debt. There is a Protestant song to the extent that this is it and you owe nothing. That’s the juridical view; you can go home happy because someone wealthy paid the debt on your behalf. But St. Athanasius said there was another problem; humanity was also ill. I am in debt and I’m also ill. Christ paid my debt and He came to heal me. That’s why after He paid my debt on the cross, He said you must eat my Body which was crucified and resurrected so that my life can abide in you.

Hear the full lecture here.