Chapter Five
- Give several reasons why the atonement could not have consisted in Christ's obedience to the moral law on behalf of sinners.
- What is the difference between an allegory and a metaphor? What is important for us to remember about biblical analogies using transactionary terminology?
- Could redemption have involved Christ offering his blood as a legal "ransom" to God in order to get Him to release us? Explain.
- Explain the sense in which our salvation did cost something.
- If it is true that Jesus literally paid for our sins with His blood (a paid debt no longer being a debt), and He died for the sins of the whole world, what conclusions must we come to? What is the theological word for it?
- What is a "limited" atonement? Is it taught in the Bible?
- Why is it not possible that our salvation was secured through Christ suffering punishment? Explain the potential difference between suffering and punishment.
- What was the function of the Old Testament sacrificial system? What did the sacrifices not represent?
- Why was it important that the sacrificial animal be without spot or blemish?
- What does "blood" symbolize in the Bible? What is its importance relative to the atonement?
- What is the significance of the word "almost" in Hebrews 9:22?
- Was it possible for a sin offering to be efficacious if it did not produce a heart realization, humility and contrition? Give scriptural evidence for your answer.
- In what way was the Old Testament sacrificial system deficient?
- Explain how the sacrifice of Christ opened up a better hope—or a new and Living way to God.
- When the Bible talks about an imperfect law and replacing the old system, is it referring to ceremonial law or moral law? Explain.
- What biblical evidence do we have that crucifixion facilitated, rather than caused Jesus' death?
- What does the Bible mean when it states that Jesus "bore our sins?"
- Is there any evidence that profound emotional grief and heart trauma are related? How does this correspond with Isaiah 53:11-12?
- What is the biblical evidence for and significance of Jesus' premature death on the cross?
- Describe in detail how Christ's shed blood and substitutionary sufferings solved, once and for all, God's difficulties in reconciling man to Himself.
