Atonement Wars and Forgiveness

 The current atonement debate has implications far beyond the doctrine of salvation.  We are beginning to see how a departure from the Reformation understanding of the atonement will trickle down into areas of practical theology such as forgiveness.

It is also true that people are reading therapeutic approaches in the area of forgiveness back into doctrine. . .

Salvation Catechism (Questions and Answers)

Here is the entire catechism on soteriology (doctrine of salvation) that I am working through in the current sermon series on Sunday mornings.

1.       Who needs to be saved? 

All men and women need to be saved so that they can have a relationship with God.  If they are not saved before they die, they will suffer in hell forever (Romans 3:23, 6:23). 

2.       Why do men and women need to be saved to have a relationship with God? 

Sin has destroyed the relationship with God that all men and women need.  They must be saved so this relationship can be restored (Ephesians 2:1-3, Titus 3:3, Romans 3:23).