Liberal Doctrine and the Atonement

In The Bible and Politics series, I have covered many issues in order to help you see what the Word of God teaches, in regard to many of the political topics that are important in our world today. Often times, we believe that we have the answers for bettering society and bringing unity and peace to the world. However, we need to look toward the Creator in order to find these answers.

The issues I have reviewed so far have largely shown that Biblical Christian values are inherently conservative. By definition, conservatives derive their values from absolute principles while liberals arrive at their principles through enlightenment. Along with the liberal belief in enlightenment comes a redefining of reality. Below I have outlined common truths about liberalism, and have added an interesting twist. I want you to see how the doctrine of the Atonement is in harmony with the highest ideals of liberal teachings.

This week is Holy Week, and we celebrate the Atonement.The atonement refers to the sacrifice Jesus offered up, in himself, on the cross 2000 years ago. The purpose of Jesus' sacrifice was to take the sins of the entire human race upon himself, so that mankind could have peace with God. This doctrine, in every way, should appeal to the senses of even the most ideological of liberals. Here's why:

1. Fairness is a high priority in liberal politics. This is often manifested through the idea that there should be a redistribution of wealth. Through Jesus' death, God's forgiveness was distributed to the entire human race. We are all equal in God's eyes.
2. Liberal thought often displays sympathy for the offender, acknowledging that upbringing and other factors outside of a person's control contribute to him or her committing crime. The atonement acknowledges this truth through its premise that everyone's wrong-doings is the result of original sin.
3. Because some people are in worse circumstances than others, liberals believe that punishment for crimes ought to be dampened or intensified based on one's intentions. The atonement takes this to the extreme by totally forgiving the offender for anything he or she may have done.
4. Liberal theology is very much based on symbolism through different narratives. The symbolism presented through the image of Jesus hanging on the Cross, in the place of mankind, is one of the most artistically brilliant scenes in history. Such symbolism has even been applied in different artwork and even figures of speech.
5. Liberal theology praises the progressive enlightenment of individuals. Through the atonement, people are made into a new creation, indicating that the individual's eyes have been opened to reality. It is said that, through the Holy Spirit, those who believe in Jesus are being conformed to His likeness. They are going through the process of sanctification, which is directly applied through the atonement and progressively applied throughout the believer's life.
6. As a bonus, the atonement even delivers on Friederick Nietzsche's famous quote, "God is Dead." One thing that had to happen for the atonement to become a reality was for Jesus to die; in fact he had to be tortured and killed at the hands of his creation. And yet, the beauty of the story was that God, slain by the hands of wicked men, rose from the dead in power and glory.

The doctrine of the atonement should resonate with liberals. The genuine presentations of love and compassion throughout the Bible, and the love displayed by the church, leads to good works, charitable works. Because of the atonement, both conservatives and liberals should be drawn to the Gospel message through Jesus Christ because it was the intersection of all conflicting ideas. Through Jesus and his sacrifice on the Cross, we have peace with God and should all the more have peace with on another.