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  • From: Bob MacDonald <bobmacdonald AT shaw.ca>
  • To: 'Corpus-Paul' <corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [Corpus-Paul] Sacrifice and atonement in Paul
  • Date: Sun, 04 May 2003 14:40:02 -0700

A general question on sacrifice and its relationship to atonement

I am attending the international conference in Cambridge on sacrifice (June
30-July 1). If any of you are going to be there, it would be delightful to
meet you.
http://www.divinity.cam.ac.uk/CARTS/Liturgy/Conferences.html

I am having some difficulty distinguishing types of sacrificial metaphor in
Paul and the NT (part of a study over the next 5 weeks) -

Do the 7 undisputed epistles have a different relationship to sacrifice as
applied to the death of Christ than the later writings of the NT?

e.g.
1 Thessalonians c51 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we
should live together with him.

This phrase 'died for us' seems to imply right away that within 20 years of
the crucifixion, the interpretation of substitutionary sacrifice is fully
developed.

On the other hand, the full doctrine of atonement referencing Leviticus 16
does not appear explicitly till Hebrews, but the seeds seems to be strongly
there.

1 Corinthians shows a direct link to Passover in the thought of the time.
Ephesians has the direct 'sweet smelling savour' image (as does Philippians
but applied to gifts to Paul). I note also that Colossians is the only
epistle to explicitly link the death of Jesus to circumcision. (Though
perhaps also Philippians 3:3 but only by inference.)

I have noticed that the concept of God's requiring the death of Christ as
sacrifice, whatever metaphor (substitution, atonement, propitiation) is
attached to it, is not approved by many and its implications are sometimes
shied away from even within the Church - but that's a theological question
best responded to off list if any can help my understanding here. (Or tell
me where I might safely ask such questions.)

Thanks

Bob

mailto::BobMacDonald AT shaw.ca
+ + + Victoria, B.C., Canada + + +

Catch the foxes for us,
the little foxes that make havoc of the vineyards,
for our vineyards are in flower. (Song 2.15)
http://bobmacdonald.gx.ca





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