The Christian atonement dilemma is highlighted by the question: “Did God kill His Son or require the death of His Son as a pre-condition to His forgiving humanity?” To this question, popular Christian theology seem to imply an affirmative answer. It almost immediately begs the question: “What kind of God could be so mean and exacting?” The dilemma lies in the fact that this same God is considered to be the epitome of love.

To further compound the matter, God is reported as having been particularly displeased with the ancient practice of people sacrificing their children to appease their gods (Deut. 12:31). Yet, it is claimed that God offered His Son to appease, not even someone else who demanded it, but His own Self. One would imagine that it should be much more appropriate to simply forgive and let bygones be bygones, without demanding penance and blood-sacrifice. Is this really the type of Person God is, and is this what the atonement for sin is all about? Or, is it that God’s character is misunderstood and the most objectionable features of idolatry planted in the centre of Christian theology in place of the truth?

In addressing these issues, the most pivotal concept is that the true character of God is seen in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son who is the “express” (or precise) image of His person (Heb.1:3). Not even Moses nor Elijah perfectly manifested or represented God, but Jesus Christ did. Only He could. The Father is reported as having spoken from heaven when Moses and Elijah appeared beside Jesus on a high mountain, saying of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son… hear ye Him” (Matt. 17:5).

Jesus is reported to have stated the purpose for His yielding His life. He came to give His life as a ransom to save humanity (Matt. 20:28). A ransom is the price that is paid to secure the release of hostages or prisoners. Human beings are the hostages. The ransom price to buy us back is Christ, the Son of God. God is the One who pays the price (John 3:16). Who then, is the hostage-taker? Not God. God is not the one demanding a payment. He is the One making the payment. The hostage-taker is the devil (Satan). Humanity was brought into bondage to the devil when Adam, the father of our race submitted to the serpent (Satan – see Rev. 12:9). God gave His Son, who volunteered to take our place (John 3:16; John 10:17,18). When the Father let go of His Son at Calvary and the devil and his host had Him in their grasp, they did to Him what they would have done to humanity, were we left entirely in their hands.

God is just. God would not use superior fire-power to forcefully take away from the devil, that which the devil had some claims to. Remember, Adam had voluntarily submitted to the serpent. God chose to buy us back. Thus, there could remain no argument. Satan had no legitimate claim over Christ because, unlike Adam, Christ did not submit to the devil, even when He had gone without food for forty days. When Satan got the payment (Christ), he killed Him (put Him out of existence). Therefore, when God raised Christ from the dead (Gal. 1:1), the devil had no claims over Him. He neither has any legitimate claim over us now, because he was paid. If we choose, however, to reject God and remain with the devil, God will respect our choice and leave us to what we have chosen.

In the final analysis, the devil is a murderer. God is the Saviour. May it forever be understood that God did not kill His Son. Neither did He require the death of His Son. “His mercy endureth forever” (Ps. 107:1). “God is love” (1 John 4:8). God freely forgives.

Dr. Colin A. Gyles is a writer on religious topics