Christus Victor

1. Christus Victor

2. 28But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Matthew 12:28-29 [ESV]

3. Theories of Atonement • Objective paradigm • Atonement satisfies a necessary demand or requirement of God • Subjective paradigm • Atonement brings about a change in us

4. Theories of Atonement • Christus Victor paradigm • Atonement is directed toward Satan and powers of evil • Through the cross Christ fights against and triumphs over the evil powers of the world (cf. Col 2:13-15)

5. Christus Victor • The Ransom Theory • Dominant understanding of the atonement throughout first 1,000 years of the church • Advocates included Origen, Gregory of Nyssa and Augustine

6. Christus Victor • The Ransom Theory • Satan gained control over mankind and the world • This control was the result of human sin

7. Christus Victor • The Ransom Theory • Since Satan had ‘rightful’ control over mankind and the world, God would not ‘steal’ man back • Justice required that God ‘buy us back’ if we were to be freed from Satan • A ransom had to be paid (cf. Mark 10:45; 1 Cor 6:20)

8. Christus Victor • The Ransom Theory • Satan demanded Christ’s death as the suitable payment (i.e. ransom) • He agreed to free mankind in exchange for the death of Jesus • He thought he could ‘own’ the soul of Jesus by killing him

9. Christus Victor • The Ransom Theory • Satan demanded Christ’s death as the suitable payment (i.e. ransom) • He sought to control God by ruling over the Son

10. Christus Victor • The Ransom Theory • However, Christ proved victorious over Satan through the resurrection • Satan’s scheme was thwarted • Mankind was justly freed

11. Christus Victor • Contemporary Christus Victor models emphasize the defeat of Satan over the payment of a ransom

12. Christus Victor • Key biblical motifs • The ongoing reality of spiritual warfare (e.g. Eph 6:12; 2 Cor 10:3-5) • The recognition that humans are held hostage by powers of evil (e.g. John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Luke 4:5-5; 1 John 5:19)

13. Christus Victor • Key biblical motifs • The ministry of Jesus was characterized by active opposition to satanic powers • Exorcisms (e.g. Matthew 12:22-28; Mark 1:23-27; 5:1-13) • Freeing the captives (e.g. Luke 4:18; Eph 4:8)

14. Christus Victor • Key biblical motifs • The ministry of Jesus was characterized by active opposition to satanic powers • Resistance of satanic temptation (Matthew 4:1-11//Luke 4:1-13) • The presence of the kingdom of God means the kingdom of Satan has been defeated (cf. Matthew 12:28)

15. Christus Victor • Five Observations • Demons knew who Jesus was but did not understand what he was doing (e.g. Mark 1:23-24; 3:11; 5:7; Luke 8:28) • God’s wisdom that led to the crucifixion was ‘secret and hidden until after the crucifixion(Romans 16:25-26; 1 Cor 2:7)

16. Christus Victor • Five Observations • Satan and his minions were instrumental in bringing about Jesus’ death (cf. John 13:27)

17. Christus Victor • Five Observations • Paul wrote, “None of the rulers of this age understood this[the mystery of the cross]for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Cor 2:8)

18. Christus Victor • Five Observations • The cross brought the defeat of Satan and the reconciliation of mankind and the world to God (2 Cor 5:18-19; Col 1:19-22; 2:13-15)

19. Christus Victor • Contributions • Emphasis on Christ’s victory over evil • Those who are in Christ also have victory over the evil one (cf. 1 John 2:13-14; 4:4) • Emphasis on the cosmic impact of the atonement

20. Salvation and Theories of Atonement • Salvation is complex and contains elements of mystery • While we may understand aspects of it, we do not understand all of it • A final analogy • Salvation is like … • a set of golf clubs