The Face of Forgiveness by Jamieson Philip D.;

Author:Jamieson, Philip D.; [Jamieson, Philip D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Published: 2016-05-25T00:00:00+00:00

Shame and the Three Traditional Models

There are particular ways in which the category of shame reveals greater dimensions to the traditional atonement models. First, with regard to the ransom theory, we recall that the power of the devil is destroyed when he attempts to swallow Jesus into the place of death, not knowing that he has brought the very Lord of life into his realm. In the same way, shame’s power, which is the fear of exposure, the fear of the loss of love, is brought into the presence of God. But because this is the One who is love, shame brought into this presence is destroyed; it is rendered powerless. God’s power over shame is now shared with all those who are in Christ, with all those who have experienced the depths of shame but now also the love of the Father that will not look away.

The moral influence theory may also be reassessed. In this model, the atonement functions as the greatest example of God’s love. When we look upon it, we are transformed, becoming desirous to go and show sacrificial love to others. The category of shame, however, introduces a problem for this model. One critique of the moral influence theory is that it underestimates the depths of human sin. We have no natural desire to look upon the cross or to answer God’s call to us. At the same time, however, its emphasis on beholding and contemplating Christ on the cross is significant for facing shame and thus ending its power. Instead of being the moment of atonement, the cross is the magnifying event that reveals what the whole incarnation has been: God’s total identification with humanity, including its shame. Shame’s power is experienced in the fear of abandonment—the terror of the loss of love. Sinful humanity fears the revelation of the true self, a self that is inadequate, ugly and unlovable. The only solution to that fear is the revelation of the true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that may be beheld in the event of the cross. God is fully revealed as Jesus is fully revealed on the cross. For to see Jesus, to look upon his face, is to behold the Father (Jn 14:9). God, who experiences abandonment and the brokenness of relationship that it implies, is now fully revealed as the One who can be trusted never to abandon anyone. God has experienced the depths of shame: all of its horrible exposure, subsequent abandonment and the loss of relationship. Father, Son and Holy Spirit have experienced shame and have vanquished it, because they do not allow it to destroy their relationship. The Father hears the cry of the Son and turns again. The Son trusts the love of the Father and turns to him. And in that natural turning again, shame loses its power to separate God from humanity.

Perhaps the most difficult model to address is the most ­prominent one: penal substitution. If penal substitution is understood to be the only biblical or valid theory of the atonement, than the presentation of shame will do little to help.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.