Deep Dive into The Necessity of the Atonement by Jonathan Edwards
Forgiveness of sins is presented as an act of "most free and abundant grace," inherently gratuitous and unearned. Yet, it is simultaneously described as being "in consequence of a redemption by the blood of Christ," a payment that makes it seem like a matter of debt rather than pure grace. This apparent contradiction forms a central theological challenge.
An atonement is deemed absolutely necessary to uphold the authority and dignity of God’s moral law and government. For any moral law to be effective and not contemptible, it must carry a penalty, and that penalty must be inflicted upon transgressors. Failure to enforce the law would undermine God's wisdom, goodness, and consistency, encouraging sin and leading to the dissolution of His moral governance.
Human efforts, such as repentance and reformation, are insufficient for atonement. Repentance is simply a return to duty, offering no satisfaction for past transgressions and failing to demonstrate God's righteous indignation against sin. Similarly, human suffering short of the full, just penalty cannot atone without implying the divine law's punishment is excessive. Atonement requires a full equivalent to the law's curse, which only Christ's infinite dignity and suffering can provide, serving as a substitute for the sinner's deserved punishment.
Therefore, forgiveness is achieved exclusively through Christ's atoning sacrifice. This redemption satisfies the demands of divine justice and upholds the integrity of God's law, thereby righteously preparing the way for pardon. The forgiveness remains an act of immense grace because God Himself, in His boundless wisdom and goodness, provides Christ as the Redeemer, and then freely offers this pardon to undeserving sinners, demonstrating that He can be both just and the justifier.
Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian
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