 |
| Sweden-Denmark Oresund Crossing |
Matthew 20:26-28 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His [a]life a ransom for many.”
Footnotes: Matthew 20:28 Or soul
Matthew 20:26-28 English Standard Version (ESV)
26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,[a] 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,[b] 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:43-45 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
43 But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His [a]life a ransom for many.”
Footnotes: Mark 10:45 Or soul Footnotes: Matthew 20:26 Greek diakonos Matthew 20:27 Greek bondservant (doulos)
Mark 10:43-45 English Standard Version (ESV)
43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,[a] 44 and whoever would be first among you must beslave[b] of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Footnotes: Mark 10:43 Greek diakonos Mark 10:44 Greek bondservant (doulos)
1 Timothy 2:5-6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony [a]given at[b]the proper time.
Footnotes: 1 Timothy 2:6 Or to be given 1 Timothy 2:6 Lit its own times
1 Timothy 2:5-6 English Standard Version (ESV)
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
Footnotes: 1 Timothy 2:5 men and man render the same Greek word that is translated people in verses 1 and 4
Gustav Aulen & The Ransom View Of Atonement (PhD Edit)
Origen presented the ransom view of atonement. In his Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen explains that the atoning work of Christ was a ransom price as Christ gave up his life in order that human beings could have their lives back. Origen (ca 203-250)(2001: 30).
The primary historical exponent of this view is Gustav Aulen, a Bishop in the Church of Sweden who wrote Christus Victor and the journal article ‘Chaos and Cosmos: The Drama of Atonement’ both in 1950. In Christus Victor, he explains that the central theme of atonement is Christ’s dramatic victory over Satan, sin, and death. Aulen (1950a: 14). Through the incarnated Christ’s death and resurrection, Aulen notes in this drama that Christ reconciles the world to himself. Aulen (1950a: 5). I
In ‘Chaos and Cosmos’ Aulen writes that every Christian doctrine of atonement should include the concept that the love of God through Christ destroys the evil powers. Aulen (1950b: 156). The atonement should be primarily viewed as the means by which God provided humanity with victory over evil and reconciliation with God. Aulen (1950b: 158).
Aulen like Anselm did view Christ’s atoning work as sacrifice, but Aulen points out it was done willingly by Christ who suffered and then overcame evil. Aulen (1950b: 162).
The ransom theory of atonement places less importance on God’s need for justice and sacrifice, and more of an emphasis on God freeing humanity from the bonds of Satan, sin, and death. Instead of atonement being mainly about a sacrifice offered to God for sin from humankind in Christ.
Gustaf Wingren states that Aulen’s view is primarily concerned with God overcoming evil for his people. Wingren (1965: 310).
Bloesch reasons that Christ has purchased and redeemed his followers through the atoning work. From this task God’s love for humanity is shown as persons cannot save themselves through merit. Bloesch (1987: 97).
2015 Additions
The ransom view is within multifaceted atonement theory as a Biblical position.
Oxford and Browning state that from Mark 10:45 that the Son of God is vindicated in victory, but only after suffering and service. Browning (1997: 315).
From the Matthew and Mark verses λύτρον, ου, τό :something to loosen with as in redemptive price. Figurative : atonement as in ransom. Strong (1890)(1986: 60).
λύτρον, ου, τό: Price, release and ransom, and specifically from Matthew and Mark verses as a ransom for many. Bauer (1986: 482).
From 1 Timothy ἀντίλυτρον, ου, τό: a redemption price-ransom. Strong (1890)(1986: 13).
ἀντίλυτρον, ου, τό: Ransom. Bauer (1986: 75).
AULEN, GUSTAV (1950a) Christus Victor, Translated by A.G. Hebert, London, S.P.C.K.
AULEN, GUSTAV (1950b) ‘Chaos and Cosmos: The Drama of Atonement’, in Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology, Volume 4, April, Number 2, New York, Interpretation.
BAUER, W. (1979) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Translated by Eric H. Wahlstrom, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press.
BROWNING, W.R.F. (1997) Oxford Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
BLOESCH, DONALD G. (1987) Freedom for Obedience, San Francisco, Harper and Rowe Publishers.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
ORIGEN (ca. 203-250)(2001) Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Peter Kirby, California, Early Christian Writings. http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/origen-matthew.html.
STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Burlington, Welch Publishing Company.
WINGREN, GUSTAF (1965) ‘Gustaf Aulen’ in A Handbook of Christian Theologians, Nashville, Abingdon Press.
Previous related posts
January 9, 2008
February 4, 2009
Don't Steal, What Else?
ReplyDelete"Thou shalt not steal"—what comes after that? Don't take away from people what they've worked for, of course that's not fair. Isn't the positive side of that going to be, work hard for what you need? That's already there in the Sabbath one, "six days shall you labor and do all your work." Isn't that about all we need to know, don't be a taker, be a worker? But God has more to it than that for us, the part that we don't know much about. Here it is in Ephesians 4:28: He who has been a thief must steal no more, but, instead of that, should work with his own hands in honest industry, so that he may have something of which he can give the needy a share.
So you can give the needy a share—did you see that coming? I didn't. There was that old Weber/Tawney thesis, that Calvinists invented Capitalism, because they weren't sure God loved them, but if they could get a lot of money together that might prove that he did. There was no evidence for that, but it sounded right. What else could your own hard work be about? But God said, it's so you can give! Don't be a taker, be a giver! Down with the prosperity gospel, up with Extravagant Giving!
ReplyDeleteThere's that Pharisee in us, poor people deserve to be poor since they don't work as hard as we do. We like it when the Bible talks about "blessed are the poor in spirit," but not when we see the parallel, just "blessed are the poor." We're sure we do humility just fine even when we're so good at looking down at people.
ReplyDeleteOur theology is good, God loves us not because we're lovable but just because he does, just because he's God. But we need to get that into our lives and the way we handle our money too. God does everything with and by grace, and so should we.
ReplyDeleteRemember this. Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written, 'He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.' Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9: 6-11)
ReplyDeleteThere's so much there: 'reap generously,' "all grace abound to you," "you will abound in every good work," "the harvest of your righteousness," "result in thanksgiving to God."
ReplyDeleteLet me risk predicting what's ahead. Evangelical Christianity doesn't fit our country any more, and those sweet tax breaks for giving are about to vanish. Should we still give the way we have? If Puritan Harvard doesn't have the gospel anymore, why do you think you should put money into your school's endowment? So while just giving to the poor may be short-term, isn't it wiser?)
ReplyDeleteI'm more sure of this. We need to scrub that sociology of religion that says Presbyterians and upper-class go together, and poor people are for Pentecostals. We still need to talk about "speaking in tongues" but their main point is that it's the power of the Holy Spirit that gives value to our work, and we can together talk with them about that and praise the Lord so much for that, can't we? And learn from them the best way to help those in need.
ReplyDeleteHelping the poor goes with getting to know them. We need to pray about that, O Lord, open up my world for me, help me get to know people I can help. A little later we can pray this way, O Lord, you know my needs, I want to help that couple, and those women, and those folks in Ethiopia, but I'm running low in dollars. Help me out Lord, it's really about you getting the thanks. Amen.
ReplyDeleteD. Clair Davis
Begin Again
ReplyDeleteSome relationships are trivial and don’t amount to much. I just went to my 65th high school class reunion, and some there I didn’t remember much of at all. Another spouted a right-wing politics that I wasn’t ready for. But no big deal, hard to tell right now whether I’ll go back to the 66th.
In our world, marriage can become that way, trivial, passing, just a phase. Now that we know ourselves better, it’s clear that first marriage was a big mistake and we can do better. Or maybe something as structured as marriage isn’t that great for satisfying sex anyway?
ReplyDeleteThe Bible compares the man/woman relationship with ours with God. Remember when people asked, why are John’s disciples fasting but yours eat and drink? Here’s Jesus’ answer in Luke 5:34, can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? A prophet is one thing, your bridegroom is another! But we can outgrow our tie with the Lord too, can’t we? His expectations for us and demands on us are becoming burdensome and don’t really fit who we are now. Maybe moving on with another woman would need moving on to another friendlier God? That’s how the culture sees it now. Now that we “respect” same-sex marriage, “religion” will have to adjust too, won’t it? Just like the woman after next, God will just have to shape up and meet our expectations won’t he?
ReplyDeleteThat’s strong language, but of all the biblical God's requirements this “no adultery” one is the most out of date. Read this about “not depriving”: The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote each other to prayer, in 1 Corinthians 7: 3-5.
ReplyDeleteWhat? The chemistry is gone, long gone, and you’re still supposed to make it happen? Along with some heartfelt snarling maybe? If sex isn’t spontaneous and more than welcome, what’s the point? If anything is out of date, doesn’t this one have to be?
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it, that sounds like what God expects of us, to show up and worship him when that’s the last thing we’d really enjoy doing. Just be there? No, be there and worship, and ask the Lord for the joy you need to worship. I keep feasting on Nehemiah 8. Those folks are back together with the Lord and hearing his word, telling them who he is and how they fit into his picture. But then they all sob, they’ve messed up so much, wretched people they are. So God says, stop sobbing and start eating and drinking, this is a celebration, the joy of the Lord is your strength!
ReplyDeleteWe come to the Lord that way too in weakness and confusion and doubt—and we call to him to change us so we can love and honor and worship him in our hearts! (That’s called the “invocation,” does it need a better name?) We’re always doing the Romans 7 “wretched man” before we turn in joy to the Romans 8 “his love endures forever.” That’s the way it is with guilty sinners and their merciful Lord.
ReplyDeleteThat book of Hosea is as clear as it gets. Prophet, your task is to marry prostitute Gomer! Now there’s a spiritual calling. Keep telling the people how all their idolatries are plain and simple prostitution, going after the wrong targets for their desires. They have to understand that, so tell them again and again. But there’s something else they have to know. What else could there be than seeing in 5:4 that “a spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the Lord?”
ReplyDeleteWhat else? Gospel hope, that’s what. In that day, declares the Lord, you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master.’ . . I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness and you will acknowledge the Lord (2: 15, 19-20).
ReplyDeleteO Lord, I wouldn’t even try to put together our marriages and how you care for your people, but it is your idea after all to do it that way. Show us now how we are to live together as man and wife. This is where that so unexpected “fulfill your marital duty” fits. We have violated our marriage with the Lord again and again, and here he comes with his amazing betrothals. His love does endure forever—now he calls us to do the same.
ReplyDeleteNo, wife or husband of mine—sex with you no longer seems inviting or exciting, nor does conversation with you, nor prayer, nor watching TV even. But we belong to Jesus and we ask him to know the love he has for us, still—and that we may have it for each other. We begin again, not with someone else but with each other. The Lord starts us off again with the joy of the Lord is your strength and we ask for that joy now, for him and in each other. O Lord, you give us so many kind new beginnings, give us that now—not with strangers but with each other.
ReplyDeleteIs hard marriage different from anything else hard in our lives? Yes it is, it is so close to our foolish rejection of our Lord, that we fall into so often. But beginning again with the Lord and with each other—how amazing that always is and will be.
ReplyDeleteThe Song of Songs is some book (chapter 4 especially), with such an exalted picture of love—how could it be just about man and woman love, doesn’t it have to be about the way Jesus loves us? No, I don’t think so, though I see where you’re coming from. It’s about the two of you, and the two of you, and the blessing the Lord has for you, still. Ask and receive that your joy may be full.
ReplyDeleteYou have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any other spice! Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, my bride; milk and honey are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like that of Lebanon. You are a garden locked up, my sister my bride; you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain. Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits, with henna and nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, with myrrh and aloes, and all the finest spices. You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water, streaming down from Lebanon.
ReplyDeleteAwake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread abroad. Let my lover come into his garden, and taste its choice fruits.
ReplyDeleteD. Clair Davis