The concept of the atonement is a complex work of redemption, involving various aspects and metaphors. The New Testament speaks of the cross of Christ as an act of redemption, where Christ purchases His bride, the church, and pays the bride price. The atonement is also seen as a cosmic victory, where Christ sets the captives free by dealing a mortal blow to the forces of wickedness and evil. The satisfaction theory of the atonement, developed by Anselm, emphasizes the justice of God, who demands that evil be punished, and yet, in the cross, God is both just and the justifier of the ungodly.
[... more]