Does coffee have an expiation date?
PrefaceP
I personally have referenced this March 24, 2008 article a fair bit over the years. I have decided to rework it with some more material for an entry on academia.edu for April 15, 2023.
Does coffee have an expiration date?
Expiation: The idea that sin is covered over, through Christ’s death on the cross, his atoning work. The debt of sin is cancelled. Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling (1999: 50).
Propitiation: The atonement offering that turns away God’s wrath. Christ’s atoning work serves as propitiation. Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling (1999: 96).
Atonement is a multifaceted, complex subject. Erickson (1994: 783). Paul mentions the concept of propitiation in Romans 3: 25. Erickson (1994: 809-810). C.H. Dodd opines that the Greek word in Romans 3: 25 should be translated expiation and not propitiation, and claims that many Greek translations have been incorrect on this issue. Dodd (1935: 82-95). Browning writes that propitiation is a means of warding off the just anger of God. He reasons that modern Biblical translations make it clear that the New Testament teaches that through Christ’s atoning work, expiation takes place, and an angry God is not appeased through the propitiation of Christ. Browning (1996: 305).
Anthony D. Palma explains that propitiation can be defined as the idea of appeasing God, while expiation means to atone for sin against God, as in offering or sacrifice. Palma (2007: 1). Palma reasons that the New Testament idea of propitiation includes expiation, but expiation does not necessarily include the idea of propitiation. Palma (2007: 1).
James Strong explains that the word discussed in Romans 3: 25 is ἱλαστήριον (ilastērion hilasterion), is defined as an expiatory place or thing, an atoning victim, mercyseat, and propitiation. Strong (1890)(1986: 48). From Strong’s definition, Romans 3: 25 does allow for the idea of atonement in both the sense of sacrifice and appeasement. Strong (1890)(1986: 48). However, his definition does place more emphasis on expiation than propitiation in the atonement process in Romans 3: 25. Strong (1890)(1986: 48).
Some within Christian traditions may reason that expiation is all that is needed within the atoning work of Christ, while others such as myself within Reformed traditions may conclude expiation and propitiation, both sacrifice and appeasement, are reasonable concepts within Christian atonement. It should be considered that any anger God would possess would be completely just, and not emotionally charged and prone to sin as human anger can be. As well, both expiation and propitiation may be legitimate tools to bring justice in God’s view. Expiation covers up and cancels the human sin against God, while propitiation deals with the righteous wrath of God, as he has been unjustly wronged.
BAUER, WALTER. (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) ‘Propitiation' in Oxford Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
James Strong explains that the word discussed in Romans 3: 25 is ἱλαστήριον (ilastērion hilasterion), is defined as an expiatory place or thing, an atoning victim, mercyseat, and propitiation. Strong (1890)(1986: 48). From Strong’s definition, Romans 3: 25 does allow for the idea of atonement in both the sense of sacrifice and appeasement. Strong (1890)(1986: 48). However, his definition does place more emphasis on expiation than propitiation in the atonement process in Romans 3: 25. Strong (1890)(1986: 48).
Cited
Strong's Concordance
hilastérion: propitiatory Original Word: ἱλαστήριον, ου, τό
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: hilastérion Phonetic Spelling: (hil-as-tay'-ree-on) Definition: propitiatory Usage: (a) a sin offering, by which the wrath of the deity shall be appeased; a means of propitiation, (b) the covering of the ark, which was sprinkled with the atoning blood on the Day of Atonement.
Cited
Englishman's Concordance Romans 3:25 N-ANS GRK: ὁ θεὸς ἱλαστήριον διὰ τῆς NAS: displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood KJV: hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through INT: God a mercy seat through the
Walter Bauer explains that the meaning in Romans 3: 25 is uncertain and could be either expiates or propitiates. Bauer (1979: 375). For Strong the definition of the word from 1 John 2:2 and 4:10 is atonement, expiator, propitiation and so 1 John does not solve the issue from Romans. Strong (1890)(1986: 49).
Some within Christian traditions may reason that expiation is all that is needed within the atoning work of Christ, while others such as myself within Reformed traditions may conclude expiation and propitiation, both sacrifice and appeasement, are reasonable concepts within Christian atonement. It should be considered that any anger God would possess would be completely just, and not emotionally charged and prone to sin as human anger can be. As well, both expiation and propitiation may be legitimate tools to bring justice in God’s view. Expiation covers up and cancels the human sin against God, while propitiation deals with the righteous wrath of God, as he has been unjustly wronged.
Penal substitution receives significant negative critique within and outside of the Church. But, this view that human sin breaks the law of God (Grenz, Guretzki, Nordling: 90), for which the penalty is death (90), therefore leading to the death of Jesus Christ for those chosen by God, to appease the law of God (90), is definitively and definitely biblical. Atonement is a very complex theological issue and there are various perspectives from Biblical scholars.
Millard J. Erickson explains that atonement theory is multifaceted including the concepts of sacrifice, propitiation (appeasement of God), substitution and reconciliation. (1994: 811-823). Non-exhaustive, New Testament examples that support the theology of substitution within the atoning work of Jesus Christ:
Mark 10:45 English Standard Version (ESV)
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus Christ's death is a ransom and substitution for the sinners through the atonement.
Romans 3:25 English Standard Version (ESV)
Whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
Propitiation: The atonement offering that turns away God’s wrath. Christ’s atoning work serves as propitiation. Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling (96). Mounce explains in his Romans commentary that there is a debate whether propitiation, as in appeasing the wrath of God or expiation, the covering for sin, is a better translation. (116). He reasons that although the term 'propitiation' may not be the best translation, this Greek term is best reasoned as 'placating' God's wrath against sin. (117). This is also theologically connected to God's righteousness applied to those in Jesus Christ (118).
Cranfield writes that other meanings, other than 'mercy-seat' have been rejected in his text. (77). He reasons that the idea of propitiation is not excluded here and that 'propitiatory sacrifice' is a reasonable suggestion. (77).
BAUER, WALTER. (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) ‘Propitiation' in Oxford Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
CRANFIELD, C.E.B. (1992) Romans: A Shorter Commentary, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
DODD. C.H. (1935) The Bible and the Greeks, London, Hodder and Stoughton.
DODD. C.H. (1935) The Bible and the Greeks, London, Hodder and Stoughton.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
FEINBERG, JOHN S. (1994) The Many Faces of Evil, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.
GRENZ, STANLEY J., DAVID GURETZKI AND CHERITH FEE NORDLING (1999) Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, Downers Grove, Ill., InterVarsity Press.
FEINBERG, JOHN S. (1994) The Many Faces of Evil, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.
GRENZ, STANLEY J., DAVID GURETZKI AND CHERITH FEE NORDLING (1999) Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, Downers Grove, Ill., InterVarsity Press.
MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1995) The New American Commentary: Romans, Nashville, Broadman & Holman Publishers.
PALMA, ANTHONY (2007) ‘Propitiation’ in Enrichment Journal, Springfield Missouri, Enrichment Journal.http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/top/Easter_2007/2007_Propitiation
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STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Pickering, Ontario, Welch Publishing Company.
My Mom, in 2008, when this article was published with an earlier, shorter, version, sent me an email featuring some coffees from a Vancouver restaurant.
PALMA, ANTHONY (2007) ‘Propitiation’ in Enrichment Journal, Springfield Missouri, Enrichment Journal.http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/top/Easter_2007/2007_Propitiation
STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Pickering, Ontario, Welch Publishing Company.
My Mom, in 2008, when this article was published with an earlier, shorter, version, sent me an email featuring some coffees from a Vancouver restaurant.
