The Futility Of Man's Atonement For His Sins

why can man not atone for his sins

Atonement is the concept of a person taking action to correct previous wrongdoing on their part, either through direct action to undo the consequences of that act, equivalent action to do good for others, or some other expression of feelings of remorse. In the context of religion, atonement is a spiritual concept that has been studied in Biblical and Kabbalistic texts. While the concept of atonement varies across religions, it is generally understood as a path to redemption and forgiveness.

In Christianity, atonement refers to the belief that human beings can be reconciled to God through Christ's sacrificial suffering and death. This is often referred to as the belief that Jesus died for our sins. However, the specific ways in which this atonement functions are debated within Christian theology, with theories including the ransom theory, the satisfaction theory, and the moral influence theory.

In other religious traditions, atonement may take different forms. For example, in Judaism, people achieve atonement through repentance, confession, restitution, and other factors. In Islam, a person must make up for their sins against God and anyone they have harmed. In Hinduism, a person may practice rites such as meditation and pilgrimages to atone for their sins.

While the specifics of atonement vary, the concept of taking action to correct past wrongs and make amends is a common thread across many belief systems.

Characteristics Values
Man cannot atone for his sins because God requires death as atonement for sin
God is just and holy
God won't ignore sins or forgive them solely out of mercy
God won't put your sins on one side of a scale and your good works on the other side of the scale
God won't accept you because you do thousands of religious duties
God will gladly forgive sins if there is an atonement—only if there is the atonement he requires
God's way: He accepts one thing—and only one—for the atonement of our wrongs: the death of his Son Jesus on the cross
A sinner, as long as he lives, has the choice of using his free will in the manner he desires
A soul undergoing purification in purgatory has no "body" to offer as a sacrifice for atonement
Jesus needed a "body" as a means for atonement

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Inherent Sinfulness: Man is inherently sinful, and his efforts at atonement are tainted

The idea that man is inherently sinful and that his efforts at atonement are tainted is a central tenet of Christian theology. This belief, known as "original sin," holds that all humans are born into a state of sinfulness due to the Fall of Man, as recounted in the biblical story of Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

According to this doctrine, Adam and Eve's disobedience to God resulted in the loss of their original righteousness and the distortion of the Image of God, and this condition of sinfulness has been passed down to all subsequent generations. The concept of original sin was developed by early Christian theologians such as Irenaeus of Lyons and Augustine of Hippo, and it has been a subject of debate and interpretation within Christianity ever since.

The belief in original sin implies that humans are inherently estranged from God and inclined towards evil. This inherent sinfulness taints any attempts at atonement, as humans are incapable of achieving true righteousness on their own. In Christian theology, only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross can atonement for sins be made.

The consequences of original sin are understood to be far-reaching. It is believed to have introduced death, suffering, and a predisposition towards sin into the world. Additionally, original sin is seen as having degraded and darkened human understanding, making people fools who are separated from God and inclined towards beastly behaviour.

While the doctrine of original sin is a fundamental aspect of Christian theology, it has been interpreted and understood in various ways by different denominations. For example, while some Protestant Reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin equated original sin with a complete loss of free will, others such as the Eastern Orthodox Church view it as transmitting mortality rather than guilt, emphasising that humans still possess moral freedom.

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Finite Nature: Finite man cannot atone for sins against an infinite God

The concept of finite man and infinite God is a central tenet of many religions. In the context of sins and atonement, it is believed that finite man cannot atone for sins against an infinite God. This belief is based on the idea that the sin is infinitely great as it is committed against an infinite God, and therefore, only an infinite being can provide atonement.

In Christianity, for example, it is believed that Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, is the only one who can atone for the sins of mankind. This is often referred to as the doctrine of atonement. The idea is that Jesus, being both fully God and fully man, could pay the price for the sins of mankind through his death on the cross.

However, the notion that a finite man cannot atone for sins against an infinite God has been questioned and debated. Some argue that it is unbiblical to assert that Christ had to be God to pay for the sins of mankind, pointing to scriptures that suggest a man can atone for sins. For instance, Romans 5:19 states, "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." This suggests that just as one man's disobedience led to sin, another man's obedience can lead to righteousness.

Additionally, the idea of infinite punishment for finite sins has been considered unjust by some. They argue that punishments should be proportionate to the crime, and an infinite punishment for a finite sin is excessive and unfair.

The concept of atonement itself is also debated, with some arguing that God can choose to forgive sins without requiring atonement, while others believe that atonement is a necessary prerequisite for forgiveness.

In summary, the idea that finite man cannot atone for sins against an infinite God is a complex theological issue that varies across different religions and even within different interpretations of the same religion. While some believe in the necessity of an infinite being providing atonement, others question this notion based on their interpretation of religious texts and their understanding of justice.

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Sacred Standard: God's holiness demands a perfect sacrifice that man cannot provide

God's sense of justice is infinitely righteous and demands a perfect sacrifice to atone for sins. This is a standard that man, as a mere human, cannot meet.

The Nature of Sin and Atonement

The word "atone" means to make amends for a wrong, to satisfy the demands of justice, and to repair or compensate for doing evil. In a human context, a person who stole $10 could atone for their actions by returning the money and adding an additional sum to compensate for any distress caused. A violent criminal guilty of assault might atone by going to prison, paying compensation, and offering a sincere apology.

However, when it comes to atoning for sins against God, the standard is much higher. God's holiness and justice demand nothing less than death as atonement:

> "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

> "The soul who sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20).

> "Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned" (Romans 5:12).

Man's Limitations

Man, by his very nature, is limited in his ability to atone for his sins against an infinite God. No amount of religious rituals, good deeds, or even a lifetime of religious devotion can atone for these sins. God will not put man's sins on one side of a scale and his good works on the other, and then forgive if the good outweighs the bad.

The Need for a Perfect Sacrifice

God's holiness demands a perfect sacrifice—one that is without sin itself. This is a requirement that only God can meet, and He did so through the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus Christ:

> "He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24).

Jesus, being fully God and fully man, was the only one capable of making this perfect sacrifice. Through His death on the cross, He atoned for the sins of humanity, offering redemption and forgiveness:

> "Christ died for our sins" (1 Corinthians 15:3).

> "In him [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses" (Ephesians 1:7).

This sacrifice, once and for all, satisfied the demands of God's justice, allowing for the atonement of sins and reconciliation with God.

In conclusion, God's holiness sets a sacred standard for atonement that demands a perfect sacrifice. Man, being finite and sinful, cannot meet this standard on his own. It is only through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, that atonement is possible. This act of perfect obedience and love fulfilled the requirements of God's justice and made a way for sinners to be reconciled to a holy God.

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Sin incurs a debt that man, as a guilty party, cannot repay. In a human context, a person who stole $10 could atone for their crime by apologising and returning the money, perhaps even adding an additional sum to make up for any distress caused. A violent criminal guilty of assault and battery might atone by going to prison, paying compensation, and showing sincere remorse.

However, the Bible makes it clear that sin requires death: "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). "The soul that sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20). "Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned" (Romans 5:12).

In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices were made to atone for sin. In the New Testament, the death of Jesus on the cross served this purpose. "Christ died for our sins" (1 Corinthians 15:3). "In him [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses" (Ephesians 1:7). "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins" (Hebrews 9:22).

The Catechism, a Reformed confession, states: "He must be a true man because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which has sinned should pay for sin." However, critics argue that human nature cannot sin because it is merely a list of attributes or characteristics, not a self-existent being.

Furthermore, the Catechism's claim that "the same human nature which has sinned should pay for sin" presents another problem. If human nature is inherently sinful, as Reformed doctrine teaches, then how can the human nature of Jesus be righteous?

Ultimately, the Bible reveals that God requires death as atonement for sin, and this was fulfilled by the death of Jesus on the cross.

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Divine Justice: Atonement requires a just resolution that man, biased, cannot offer

The concept of atonement is deeply rooted in the idea of making amends for a wrong, satisfying the demands of justice, and repairing a wrong. In religious contexts, atonement often refers to reconciling with a higher power, such as God, through sacrificial offerings or acts of penance.

In Christianity, the belief that humans can atone for their sins through their own actions or sacrifices is not widely accepted. This is because the Christian concept of sin is tied to the idea that humans are inherently sinful and incapable of achieving true righteousness on their own. The Bible states that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This inherent sinfulness, often referred to as "original sin," stems from the biblical story of Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. As a result of their transgression, sin entered the world, and death spread to all people because all sinned (Romans 5:12).

The Christian understanding of sin and atonement is further complicated by the belief in God's absolute justice and holiness. God, being just and holy, requires atonement for sins and will not simply forget or ignore them. In the Christian perspective, the only way to truly atone for sins is through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, who is believed to be both fully God and fully man. This belief is known as the doctrine of the Incarnation, which holds that Jesus is the Son of God who became fully human while still remaining fully divine.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, a summary of Catholic doctrine, states that "the price for sin is death" (CCC 1462) and that "without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins" (CCC 1471). This idea is further supported by various biblical passages, such as Romans 6:23, which states that "the wages of sin is death." Therefore, in Christian theology, the death of Jesus is seen as the ultimate sacrifice that atones for the sins of humanity.

The notion that a human cannot atone for their own sins is also reflected in the concept of divine punishment. In Christian theology, divine punishment is the consequence of sin and is believed to be proportional to the severity of the sin. While humans may attempt to make amends for their wrongdoings through various means, they are inherently biased and incapable of delivering just resolutions. Only God, who is seen as the embodiment of perfect justice and righteousness, can determine and administer the appropriate punishment or atonement for sins.

Furthermore, the idea of a human atoning for their sins is complicated by the belief in original sin. As humans are born into sin, their nature is inherently sinful, and they are incapable of achieving true righteousness on their own. This belief is reflected in the Catechism, which states that "only God's grace can restore us to communion with him and enable us to attain our ultimate end" (CCC 1996).

In conclusion, the Christian concept of atonement requires a just resolution that humans, biased by their sinful nature, cannot offer. Instead, Christians believe that atonement is achieved through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, who, as both fully God and fully man, serves as the mediator between God and humanity. This doctrine highlights the central role of Jesus in Christian theology and underscores the belief in God's absolute justice and holiness.

Frequently asked questions

Because God is just and holy, and requires atonement for sin.

To atone means to make amends for a wrong, to satisfy the demands of justice, or to repair a wrong.

The Bible teaches that atonement for sin requires death.

No, a person cannot atone for the sins of another. Each individual is responsible for their own sins and must seek forgiveness and atonement through Jesus Christ.

In addition to Christianity, the concept of atonement is found in Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Native American and Mestizo spiritual traditions.

Written by
  • Seti
  • Seti
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  • Aisha
  • Aisha
    Author Editor Reviewer
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